KU seniors look to end careers with a high note against Mizzou

For the third straight year, Kansas and Missouri face off in the politically named Border Showdown in Kansas City.  What a strange set of circumstances have come together to make this an intriguing end of season matchup.

The Jayhawks are reeling for several reasons, not the least of which is the controversial investigation hanging over the head of coach Mark Mangino.  Of greater concern to the players is the six game skid they’re in and how a season that had started off so well could have the wheels come off so quickly.

One thing we can expect on Saturday afternoon in Arrowhead Stadium, is a team fired up to play their arch rival.  They will have heard the impassioned speech of former coach Don Famborough, the seniors who have made such a huge mark on the program will have thought about possibly their final day in a football uniform and Mangino will have given them a talk that never once speaks of the controversies surrounding him right now.

How that will all transfer into their play on the field is anyone’s guess at the moment.  A week ago at Texas, the Jayhawks played hard and well at times, but were out-matched when it comes to talent on the field.  The same thing could probably be said for the Missouri squad they will face.  The Tigers are more physically skilled, but Mark Mangino has made his mark against Missouri by often times flat out coaching Gary Pinkel.

The Kansas team will play hard for their embattled coach and defensively if they can pressure Tiger quarterback Blaine Gabbert, he could make the kind of inexperienced mistakes that often times lead to defeat in this game.  Kansas will have to slow down the red hot Danario Alexander and the best way to do that is with a pass rush.

Todd Reesing would like to go out a winner with his senior classmates, but he’ll need help.  Running back Toben Opurm is out, Safety Lubbock Smith is as well so this may be the opportunity for some seniors who have seen their seasons turn out differently than planned have a chance to write a storybook ending to it all.