It’s a shame paranoia shrouds college football. Otherwise, Kansas University could share the secrets of running a big-time football program with some schools not faring as well in the national rankings.
For starters, the No. 20 Jayhawks could let the five schools ranked behind them in on what it’s like in the elite world of top 20 college football. The schools: 21. Florida State; 22. Auburn; 23. Texas; 24. Georgia; 25. Tennessee.
Those programs shouldn’t fret. If they keep sawing wood, they’ll break into the top 20 one of these years.
Meanwhile, Kansas, one of the nation’s 11 undefeated Division I-A teams, trains its focus on Baylor and lets the rest of the world wonder about its chances of winning the Big 12 North.
At this point, only Iowa State has eliminated itself from serious consideration for an appearance in the Big 12 title game. Here’s a look at the five-way race, with teams listed in order of their chances of advancing to San Antonio to face the South champions Dec. 1:
1. No. 11 Missouri (5-0, 1-0): The Tigers catch a scheduling break this season because the Kansas game would have been in Lawrence but has been moved to a neutral site, Arrowhead Stadium. The three road games won’t be easy. Mizzou travels to Norman, Boulder and Manhattan, and should consider itself fortunate if it comes out of that trio with two victories, wins all three home games, and takes a 6-1 conference record into the KU rivalry game.
2t. Kansas (5-0, 1-0): Three difficult road games (Colorado, Texas A&M and Oklahoma State) and the Missouri game at Arrowhead give the Jayhawks a tough road to San Antonio.
2t. Colorado (4-2, 2-0): The Buffs’ toughest opponent, Oklahoma, is behind them, and they scored a shocking victory there. That and a schedule in which the three biggest threats to their Big 12 North title hopes (Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska) all must play in the high altitude make them a solid sleeper pick. The outcome of the Oct. 20 game with Kansas should go a long way in determining which school emerges as the biggest threat to Missouri’s chances of making it to Alamo country.
4. Nebraska (4-2, 1-1): The evidence continues to mount that the Cornhuskers don’t have what it takes to win the North title. On the same day they were getting pounded, 41-6, at Missouri, Ball State was taking a 58-38 beating at the hands of Central Michigan. Giving any validity whatsoever to comparative scores is not advised, but remains an irresistible exercise. Kansas defeated Central Michigan, 52-7. Nebraska edged Ball State, 41-40.
5. Kansas State (3-2, 1-1): Wildcats coach Ron Prince said it will be “some time” before center Jordan Bedore, injured during the loss to KU, returns. His size and experience were missed against Kansas, and his absence won’t easily be masked. Title hopes look bleak without a home victory over Colorado on Saturday.
In the event K-State unravels, much will be made of the NCAA investigation into the football program becoming a distraction. Nonsense. As long as they aren’t involved, players tend not to worry about such things. The real cause would be a shortage of blocks to give running backs a shot at big days and quarterback Josh Freeman ample protection.
