Week 10: Nebraska at Kansas

Where were you in 1974? Even born yet?

For the first time since that year, the one in which President Richard M. Nixon left the White House in shambles, Kansas has bragging rights over Nebraska. You have to go back that far to find the last time that the Jayhawks owned a better record than the Cornhuskers entering their game (KU was 4-1, Nebraska 3-2 that year).

KU is rewriting numerous records in 2007. The Jayhawks are 8-0 for the first time since 1909 (you were around for that season, weren’t you?) and on top of the North Division. KU has climbed to No. 8 in the polls, and dreaming about a New Year’s Day bowl isn’t as crazy as it might have been two months ago.

Early, after pummeling cupcakes, KU still heard it might be a fraud. The Jayhawks continue to prove the doubters wrong, but that no longer is their motivation.

“Maybe earlier in the year we wanted to prove that the mentality of Kansas and the way we’ve played has changed but I think we’ve proved we’re a good football team but we are not a finished product,” KU quarterback Todd Reesing said.

The product that Nebraska has fielded much of this season isn’t the standard that the Huskers set for most of their history. Sure, they put up a good fight Saturday at Texas, blowing a two-touchdown lead and falling 28-25. But if it’s come to moral victories for the Huskers, something’s wrong.

That, by now, is pretty obvious.

Now, Nebraska has to take on KU with a new signal caller. Sam Keller suffered a season-ending shoulder injury at Texas. His replacement is Joe Ganz, who will be making his first start since competing in the Illinois high school state playoffs.

“It’s awesome,” Ganz said. “I mean, it’s bittersweet because you don’t want it (start) to come through an injury. All I can do is be ready for my team and hopefully win these next three games.”

The biggest challenge for the Huskers may be overcoming the Jayhawks’ offense. Nebraska ranks last in the conference in yards allowed.

BOTTOM LINE: Not a good time for a QB to get his first start. KU is rolling, and has the look of a team of destiny. Unless they take the Huskers for granted, the Jayhawks should fly high again.

Kansas by 17