| Kansas RB James Sims was one of the few bright spots for the team in 2012. (US Presswire) |
Kansas was the only Big 12 team that did not make it to a bowl game. As those around the Big 12 like to say, it's Kansas and everyone else whether you're talking football or basketball. On the football side of things, that's not a good thing. Here's a look at what went wrong in 2012.
Kansas (1-11, 0-9 Big 12)
Expectations: Tempered. No one expected the Jayhawks to finish at the top of the Big 12, but the arrival of quarterback Dayne Crist from Notre Dame gave the program some buzz. The expectation was that with Crist running coach Charlie Weis' offense, the Jayhawks could win at least two out of three of their nonconference games and then steal a game or two in the Big 12.
What went wrong: Crist did not meet expectations. Weis started the year believing that he could ride Crist's big arm. For a few weeks, he was stubborn in his play-calling when it was obvious the Jayhawks' best chance to win was to ride a strong running game. Unfortunately, Weis' faith in Crist cost his team wins against Rice and Northern Illinois -- both games that KU led by double-digits in the second half. In crunch time, Weis went to Crist and he failed.
Not only did Weis lack the quarterback to carry an offense, he also didn't have the talent at receiver. The Jayhawks went all season without a receiver catching a touchdown pass. KU's quarterbacks completed only 47.3 percent of their passes, the worst mark in the Big 12 since 2006 when Colorado's quarterbacks completed only 46.9 percent. But credit Weis. Eventually, he went to a run-heavy attack as he figured out it gave KU the best chance to win. It didn't result in any victories, but the Jayhawks got close several times in games they would not have even been competitive in the previous years.
Had Weis called games early in the year the same way he called them late, the Jayhawks might have finished off Rice and Northern Illinois. Looking back, a win on the road at Northern Illinois would have been a nice bright spot.
When it went wrong: The fourth quarter against Rice. The Jayhawks led 24-16 at the end of the third quarter. Running back Tony Pierson had run for 110 yards on 16 carries. He got the ball only three times in the fourth quarter and the Jayhawks could not run out the clock and eventually lost on a field goal as time expired.
That game and the Northern Illinois game are the big what-ifs of the season, although a 3-9 season would not have been a banner year.
Biggest overall disappointment: Crist. PredictionMachine.com had the senior quarterback listed as an 85-to-1 pick to win the Heisman. Sure, he was a long shot, but he was listed. That was something.
Crist eventually lost his job to Michael Cummings, who took over in the fourth quarter against Oklahoma State in the sixth game of the season and nearly led a comeback. Cummings was not much of a passer, but he at least provided a running threat. Crist didn't provide much of a threat at all, and his final passing statistics tell the story. He completed 103 of 216 passes, threw nine interceptions and only four touchdowns.
Bright spots: KU's running game. James Sims, who was suspended for the first three games, finished with 1,013 rushing yards and averaged a Big 12-best 112.6 rushing yards per game. Pierson averaged 6.5 yards per carry and finished with 716 yards. As a team, the Jayhawks averaged 211.7 yards rushing yards per game.
KU's defense also had its moments. The Jayhawks had 20 takeaways, which ranked fifth in the conference. The linebacker play got better as the season progressed and LB Ben Heeney finished third in the Big 12 in tackles with 9.3 per game. Overall, the unit finished 112th nationally, which obviously isn't good, but it was progress from a unit that finished dead last in 2011.
It was disappointing that the Jayhawks could not get a Big 12 win, but several close calls provided some hope. KU was a dropped interception away from knocking off Texas, a game the Longhorns won with a touchdown on their final drive. Two weeks later, KU nearly knocked off Texas Tech in Lubbock, losing in double overtime.
2013 outlook: Brighter. The hope (and belief inside the program) is that BYU transfer QB Jake Heaps will be a major improvement at quarterback. The skeptics can point to Crist. Sims and Pierson both return to give Heaps a strong running game to work with and Oklahoma transfer Justin McCay could help a receiving corps that struggled in 2012.
Weis is off to a great start in recruiting and is going the junior-college route for a quick fix. The Jayhawks signed 10 juco players who will join the team at semester and be able to practice in spring ball. The class is headlined by DT Marquel Combs, who is rated as the top junior college prospect by ESPN.
If Heaps is a major upgrade and some of the juco transfers on the defensive line and in the secondary are able to improve the defense, real progress will be made and that should turn into some wins. A lot of ifs, but Weis at least has a plan in place and seems to be upgrading the talent.
For more up-to-the-minute news and analysis from Big 12 bloggers C.J. Moore and Patrick Southern, follow @CBSSportsBig12 on Twitter. You can also follow C.J. (@cjmoore4) and Patrick (@patricksouthern).