Week 9: Kansas at Texas A&M

A battle of division leaders? Are you kidding?

Nope.

KU has first place in the North Division all by itself. Texas A&M shares the top spot in the South with Oklahoma, so that battle of divisional leader stuff might not be absolutely correct because of the tie.

But, this deep into conference action, who’d a thunk it?

Aggies’ coach Dennis Franchione, a Kansas native, is convinced the Jayhawks are the real deal.

“They’re playing well, they deserve to be where they are, and that’s no surprise,” Franchione said. “Watching the tape, they’re very good in all three phases of the game.”

KU has a shot to enter territory it hasn’t encountered in, well, decades. If the Jayhawks can knock off Texas A&M, it would be the first time since 1909 they have reached 8-0.

History, though, isn’t necessarily on KU’s side. The Aggies hold a 7-1 lead in the series, including 4-0 at home.

Jayhawks’ coach Mark Mangino has seen his team climb to No. 9 in the Bowl Championship Standings, something neither he nor the Jayhawks are accustomed to in any year. How is he approaching this type of success with his team?

“Some years it’s been about some tough losses and how to handle that,” Mangino said “Other times, like now, it’s about how to handle success. You have to be able to handle success and adversity because both can create serious problems for you if you don’t know how to manage them. I tell our kids it’s great people are recognizing you, but stay focused on the task at hand and be careful.”

Can Texas A&M pull of the upset? Its defense could hold the key to it.

KU, except for last week in its 19-14 triumph at Colorado, has been an offensive force. The Jayhawks rank No. 10 nationally in total offense while the Aggies are a less than mediocre 73rd in total defense. KU will try and exploit Texas A&M’s pass defense, ranked 100th.

Texas A&M QB Stephen McGee earned Big 12 offensive player of the week for his 167 yards rushing on 35 carries in a victory at Nebraska. Back Jorvorskie Lane needs just one TD to become the Aggies’ all-time scoring leader for non-kickers.

But will Texas A&M be able to run? KU is No. 7 in the country in rushing defense.

BOTTOM LINE: KU looks to be a team of destiny. Texas A&M still has to prove its better than its record indicates. The Jayhawks have proven they can win on the road — against the North. Here’s a chance to prove it against the South.

Kansas by 2