**5:07 p.m.**: Is KU that good or is Nebraska that bad?Well, it’s a little of both, but one thing is for sure – KU plays the most mistake-free football in the country. I don’t have the stats readily available, but the Jayhawks only had two penalties all day. Todd Reesing hasn’t thrown an interception in a month. No one fumbles. No one makes mental errors. It’s ridiculous.Gotta give the team credit also for how humble it is able to stay in postgame press interviews. A couple of the guys cracked smiles and seemed on the verge of saying just how surreal the whole day felt, but they kept the poker faces going.Mark Mangino was in a pretty good mood after this one, and even joked about how if someone had told him on Aug. 1 what the state of his team would be on Nov. 3, he’d have asked for some of what they were drinking.**3:17 p.m.**: The benefit to this game being at home is that at the postgame press session, no one will ask if this team is now ‘for real.’Though I will be back in a while with some postgame nuggets from outside the KU locker room.**2:44 p.m.**: This reminds me of playing Madden on XBox, and figuring out the three or four offensive plays that are guaranteed to get you results every time you call them. You feel guilty somewhat about using the same thing over and over, but, well, you really don’t feel that guilty because it’s just a video game.KU is treating this one without any concern for Nebraska’s reputation, as the Jayhawks should.By the way, the Jayhawks are now running their 11th offensive drive since a three-and-out to start the game. In the 10 before this one, each has resulted in a touchdown.**2:10 p.m.**: No idea if he was already going to get a shot there, but if he wasn’t, Maurice Purify is putting himself in the NFL today, throwing up huge numbers and multiple highlights in front of a gaggle of pro scouts.No one has been able to stop him. He took Kendrick Harper for 60 yards earlier, and has caught a pair of fade passes in the end zone against Aqib Talib.KU’s best answer for Nebraska’s offense – other than its own offense, of course – has been Marcus Herford. He’s got five kick returns for 186 yards so far. This time, he ran it back to the Nebraska 44.**1:41 p.m.**: The greatest unintentional comedy of the season came late in the first half, when a ref drew boos while announcing as KU timeout as a timeout for ‘Kansas State.’ The stadium erupted in unison. He was so embarassed that he turned his mic back on to announce ‘Correction…timeout Kansas.’The crowd didn’t sound too redeeming, but it was pretty funny. My words probably don’t do it any justice.But about the game, can you believe what is going on here?I’m convinced KU will run the score up in the second half, play the starters deep and score over 70 points. No question.And why not? Screw what anyone says about it being a no-class move. KU has its best crowd on hand today, and more importantly, there are a TON of bowl officials here. Gotta make a statement.**1:02 p.m.**: The fact that KU has scored on five straight possessions is impressive and all, but even _more_ impressive is the limited amount of clock-time the drives have consumed.The last one took just 1:08. Nebraska’s pass defense has also been not only porous, but slow and two steps behind constantly.Oh, Anthony Webb just fair caught a punt for the first time this season. Does the ground feel cold to anyone else? (Just playin’. Gotta give him credit for catching it soundly after muffing the one before. That says something about mental makeup)**12:48 p.m.**: It’s been a rough day for Kendrick Harper. After failing to drag down Marlon Lucky on his 62-yard touchdown catch down the sideline earlier, he had trouble bringing down Maurice Purify on a 60-yard pass play, which was Nebraska’s best response yet for the Jayhawks’ white-hot offense.Props to Todd Reesing, setting the single-season KU touchdown pass record with his 19th of the year.Purify struck again with his third catch of the game, taking down a fade pass over Aqib Talib.So the Huskers aren’t dead yet. Purify has three catches for 97 yards and a score.**12:14 p.m.**: Wow, I’ve hardly had time to think so far in this wild first quarter, let alone blog.But from what I’ve seen, KU holds an advantage right now, even with the score tied. They haven’t moved the ball quite like they maybe expected to, but they’ve at least done it a bit. So far, the Jayhawks have 38 yards on the ground compared to just 19 for Nebraska.Nebraska went three-and-out for the first time following KU’s second touchdown on three straight pass plays. If they’re already going to the pass exclusively, KU holds the edge.**11:35 a.m.**: Talk about a hostile crowd…After a flyover by a pair of jets (not sure what kind), four skydivers flew in and landed promptly at midfield. The second one drew boos, though, as his parachute happened to be purple, gray and white.Gonna be wild today.**11:26 a.m.**: Final update in terms of bowl officials – The Cotton Bowl is here, as well. That could come in handy should the Jayhawks fall short of Tom Keegan’s once-unbelievable 14-0 prognosticated finish.**10:46 a.m.**: Another update – The Fiesta Bowl is also in the house. Don’t quote me on this, but I’m pretty sure it’s their third appearance at Memorial this year.**10:38 a.m.**: Update – So far, officials from both the Sugar Bowl and the Orange Bowl (both are BCS bowls) have been spotted on hand today.**9:57 a.m.**: Well, the traffic getting here was certainly stuffier than it normally is just over two hours from gametime, but that was to be expected today with Nebraska in town along with a slew of alumni, pro scouts and bowl game officials (well, those last two don’t really affect the atmosphere, but are worth pointing out).For me, however, over the home schedule this season, the football gameday doesn’t officially start until Anthony Collins makes his jog around the field.For the last few weeks, Collins has emerged from the locker room in warmups and with his iPod to make a few laps around the field. If you don’t see him come out, you’ll hear it when he runs by the student section – usually peppered with a few souls at that point – and they give him an ovation.OK, now that the sentimental jargon is out of the way, let us talk some ball.I’m getting the feeling that this game is going to be closer than many expect. That’s just instinct talking to me, but I’m of the opinion that the [absence of Sam Keller from the starting lineup][1] and the insertion of junior Joe Ganz is something Nebraska needs – fresh air.Whether Ganz comes out and plays like [Willie Beamen][2] is by no means predictable. We’ve all read about his mobility and whatnot – something Keller didn’t have – but as Brian Christopherson pointed out in [Thursday’s KUSports.com chat][3], his emotions are going to be what decides how he looks. It’s all about how he mentally handles being a starter for the first time.Either way, this Nebraska team has been flat-out awful through its last four conference showings. A win today doesn’t guarantee the Huskers can snag two more and attain bowl eligibility, but the fact that they’re going to field something new in terms of offensive personnel should give them a reason to hope.Then again, the defense is pitiful, allowing a country mile in rushing yardage per game. Therefore, I’ll stick with my prediction in the paper: **Kansas, 31-14**. [1]: http://www2.kusports.com/news/2007/oct/30/now_what_jayhawks_prepare_unknown_qb/?football [2]: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QEQ4EJBytkI [3]: http://www2.kusports.com/chats/2007/nov/01/brian_christopherson/
