Week 8: Kansas at Colorado

Usually by now, the center of the universe at Kansas focuses on coach Bill Self’s basketball team.

Not necessarily this year.

KU, ranked No. 15 and undefeated at 6-0 (2-0 in the Big 12), is the talk of Lawrence, Kan. Self wishes his hoops squad can light up the scoreboard in this fashion. KU averages 50.3 points, second-best in the country. The Jayhawks dumped 58 on Baylor (who scored 10).

As for the ranking, KU tight end Derek Fine keeps it in perspective.

“It’s exciting,” Fine said, “but a ranking doesn’t win games.”

Defense can, however. The Jayhawks continue to prove they can do that almost as successfully as they produce on offense. KU allows only 80 yards rushing per game, ranking No. 8 in the country. That provides a challenge for Buffaloes’ tailback Hugh Charles, on a four-game streak of rushing for at least 100 yards, the latest a 171-yard effort at K-State.

The Colorado game in 2006 was a coming out party for Jayhawks’ signal caller Todd Reesing, whose redshirt got pulled late in October. He helped KU beat Colorado 20-15, snapping a four-game losing skid.

Reesing continues to flourish, noted by his 16 TD to four-interception ratio.

Buffaloes’ QB Cody Hawkins threw almost that many picks at K-State. The Wildcats got him three times. If that wasn’t enough for Hawkins to be motivated this week, the Jayhawks’ perfect record is in his sites.

“Kansas coming in undefeated, coupled with coming off a tough loss last week, just adds to the fire,” Hawkins said.

Colorado, 4-3 overall and 2-1 in conference action, still has a shot at the North crown. The Buffaloes need to take care of business against KU, and know in the back of their mind that Missouri still has to travel to the Rocky Mountains.

BOTTOM LINE: KU looks like a team on a mission. The Jayhawks proved at K-State they were no fluke that got fat on non-conference cupcakes. Colorado is no cupcake, but the Buffaloes seem to have lost their glow from the Oklahoma upset.

Kansas by 9