There is no question that the Kansas Jayhawks have played an unbelievably easy schedule this year. Central Michigan was the premier non-conference foe and Texas A&M was the leading Big 12 opponent on the schedule thus far. In the coming weeks, that will change, as the Jayhawks face the Missouri Tigers in Kansas City Nov. 24. If the Jayhawks go undefeated, they will face Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game at the Alamodome in San Antonio if the Sooners beat Texas Tech Nov. 17.
There' is no question Missouri will pose problems for the Jayhawks, but take a look at the numbers Mark Mangino's squad has posted against the so-called opposition this season through 10 weeks.
Kansas is ranked second in the NCAA in scoring and scoring defense. They have the 12th ranked defense and the 10th ranked offense. The Jayhawks are first in turnover margin, first in fewest penalties and penalty yardage. They are 10th in third-down conversions allowed and 29th in third downs converted on offense. The Jayhawks also are fourth in punt return yardage allowed, and first in kickoff return yardage. Interestingly, the Jayhawks have only received 27 kickoffs this year due to their dominance of their weak opposition.
I'm not advocating a spot for the Jayhawks in the BCS unless they win all three of their remaining contests. However, I do feel Mangino has done an incredible job bringing the KU football team to this level and he deserves mention for every relevant coach-of-the-year award available.
While in other years you couldn't pay me to watch the border war between Kansas and Missouri, there is no question that this is a game to watch with keen interest.