Week 11: Kansas at Oklahoma State

Who would have imagined Mark Mangino might play for a national title before Bill Self at Kansas?

Mangino is on his way to national coach of the year honors if his Jayhawks keep this up. Self, whose KU basketball team usually is all the rage in Lawrence, Kan., isn’t the headliner of the moment. That title belongs to Mangino’s guys, who stand 9-0 for the first time since 1908.

The key for KU is not looking beyond Oklahoma State.

“The best thing to do about that (thinking about playing for the BCS title) is, honestly, try not to think about it because when you start thinking about that, you start thinking down the road, and you really can’t do that,” KU defensive end Russell Brorsen said.

The Jayhawks’ offense is flying at an all-time high. Nobody had scored 76 points, ever, against Nebraska until KU did just that in its 76-39 thumping of the Huskers. The Jayhawks scored on 10 straight possessions, and some outsiders believe they could’ve posted 100 if they had really tried.

KU’s run in 2007 has become rare. Only three schools — KU, Ohio State and Hawaii — remain undefeated. The Jayhawks rank No. 4 in the BCS standings.

To stay that way, KU may have to produce another high-scoring effort. Oklahoma State has to prove it can shake off the shock from a three-point loss to Texas, in which the Cowboys led by 21. It’s Senior Day for the Cowboys, and coach Mike Gundy is counting on all 21 of them to pull the upset.

“You have to rely on senior leadership,” Gundy said. “They’re the ones that have to grab the young guys and get everyone back on track.”

If anything, Oklahoma State has history on its side. The Cowboys have won five in a row over the Jayhawks.

BOTTOM LINE: Keep an eye on KU’s secondary because it might hold the key to the Jayhawks’ success. Nebraska exposed KU there last Saturday, so expect Oklahoma State to attack early and often through the air. This should be another offensive explosion. The Jayhawks, though, sure look like a team of destiny.

Kansas by 3