Big 12 season preview: Kansas

Quarterback: Jordan Webb is the guy. Last year, Kansas started with Kale Pick, turned the ball over to Webb after the disastrous opening loss to North Dakota State, then eventually had Quinn Meacham play significant minutes, including in the comeback win against Colorado. Pick is still on the roster, but now as a wide receiver, and Meacham is Webb's back-up. (Note: Highly touted recruit Brock Berglund is still on the team but is sitting out the fall to deal with a legal issue in Colorado. He apparently will rejoin practicing with the team in the spring.)

Running backs: If there is a reason to get excited about Kansas football, it’s due to the number of quality RBs on the roster. James Sims returns after gaining 742 yards in his freshman campaign. Highly touted recruit Darrian Miller will play as will Brandon Bourbon, who redshirted last season. Kansas must be able to run the ball and control the clock if the team hopes to improve upon last year's three-win season.

Defense: A huge question mark is the interior where KU has been hurt by a lack of depth. The linebacking crew is solid with Steven Johnson, transfer Darrius Willis and Huldon Tharp, who returns from a season lost to injury. And, the secondary will be stronger after a breakout year in 2010 by Tyler Pattmon who teams with Greg Brown, Keeston Terry and Bradley McDougald. The key, though, will be Kansas' interior defensive line given the shift to a 3-4 defense.

Coaching: To say the jury is still out on Turner Gill would be an understatement. Gill has proven that he can recruit but an opening day loss in 2010 to North Dakota State coupled with huge losses to Baylor and Kansas State did not sit well with fans hoping for improvement after 2009’s five-win season under former coach Mark Mangino. Kansas also lost defensive coordinator Carl Torbush, who resigned due to health issues, during the off-season. Gill is safe, for now, given the long-term deal he signed under the regime of former Athletics Director Lew Perkins. But, the howls from fans will only grow louder if improved play, and game coaching, isn’t seen on the field.

Best pre-game meal: The Burger Stand—gourmet burgers and fries in downtown Lawrence.

Schedule: It’s tough. The Jayhawks open with McNeese State, a better-than-average opening opponent, followed by Northern Illinois, who is picked to win the MAC West. They then travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech. In the conference, KU plays Texas Tech, Kansas State, Oklahoma and Baylor at home; on the road they journey to Texas, Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Texas A&M with Missouri on November 26 in Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO. It’s important that Gill find ways to win at least two home league games, i.e., Kansas State, Baylor or Tech.

Prediction: 4-8 overall; 2-7 in the Big 12.

Next up: We'll look at the rest of the Big 12 tomorrow.