A week ago, I ranked [ the six offenses in the Mark Mangino era.][1]I was all ready to do the defenses later last week, but I wanted to see how KU’s 2007 D did against Baylor, a team known to rely on its passing game.KU passed that test, and we get a better idea of it’s worth every week. It’s going to end up being a pretty good unit.But is KU’s 2007 defense the best Mangino has had? Probably not:No. 1: 2005**Key players:** Charlton Keith (DE), Nick Reid (LB), Kevin Kane (LB), James McClinton (DT), Banks Floodman (LB), Jermial Ashley (DE), Theo Baines (CB), Charles Gordon (part-time CB), Aqib Talib (CB).**Summary:** An excellent unit. Excellent. Ranked 11th nationally in total defense and third nationally in rush defense. Take away a dismal day against national-champion Texas, and KU’s rush defense numbers were up there with the best in college football this decade. No individuals rushed for 100 yards on the Jayhawks that year. Keith and Reid had All-America resumes, Kane and Floodman were great leaders and McClinton and Talib were just getting great careers going. This unit carried KU to a 7-5 record and Fort Worth Bowl appearance. Allowed 303.2 yards per game and 22.0 points per game. Allowed just 83.2 yards rushing per game, shattering a school record.No. 2: 2007**Key players:** Aqib Talib (CB), James McClinton (DT), Joe Mortensen (LB), Darrell Stuckey (FS), Mike Rivera (LB), Chris Harris (CB)**Summary:** At this point, the grade is incomplete but looking good. Twelve interceptions in the last four games, including a brilliant 100-yard pick-six by Talib against Florida International. Though competition still tips the scale, KU currently is fourth in the nation in total defense, second in pass defense and eighth in rushing defense. Has allowed 240.0 yards per game and 9.5 points per game. Obviously projects very well, but tougher competition in the last half of the season will make the numbers go up some.No. 3: 2004**Key players:** Charles Gordon (CB), Nick Reid (LB), David McMillan (DE), Jermial Ashley (DE), Kevin Kane (LB), Banks Floodman (LB), Rodney Harris (FS)**Summary:** A unit that never, ever took a week off. Allowed no first-quarter touchdowns the entire season. Gordon led Division I-A with seven interceptions, earning third-team All-America honors. Ranked 23rd nationally against the run, despite playing against stars like Adrian Peterson, Cedric Benson and Vince Young. Overshadowed by a bad offense that led to a disappointing 4-7 season. Allowed 345.5 yards per game and 21.4 points per game.No. 4: 2006**Key players:** Aqib Talib (CB), James McClinton (DT), Mike Rivera (LB), Joe Mortensen (LB), Wayne Wilder (DT), Jerome Kemp (SS)**Summary**: Pretty good against the run (109.0 yards per game), but awful against the pass. Ranked 119th out of 119 Division I-A teams in pass defense. Smoked for 350-plus yards by Louisiana-Monroe, Nebraska, Oklahoma State, Baylor and Missouri. The glaring deficiency allowed opponents to make too many late comebacks and, ultimately, prevented KU from going to a bowl game. Allowed 378.1 yards per game and 25.5 points per contest.No. 5: 2003**Key players:** Nick Reid (LB), Gabe Toomey (LB), Banks Floodman (LB), David McMillan (DE).**Summary:** Good compared to the 2002 version, but KU went to the Tangerine Bowl despite this unit. Allowed 35-plus point to five different opponents, including a 56-point clinic by Philip Rivers and North Carolina State in the bowl game. Allowed 412.6 yards per game and 30.5 points per game.No. 6: 2002**Key players:** Greg Cole (LB), Travis Watkins (DT), Remuise Johnson (CB)**Summary:** Oy. This unit will remain at the bottom of the barrel until the end of time. As Mangino would say a few later, the 2002 KU defense “couldn’t stop my grandmother’s cat.” In eight Big 12 games, never allowed fewer than 35 points. Colorado’s Chris Brown ran for 309 yards against KU that year. Opponents saw it as a week to pad stats. It was that bad. Allowed 472.4 yards per game and 42.3 points per game. It seemed like so many more. [1]: http://www2.kusports.com/blogs/sawin_wood/2007/oct/07/sawinwood100707/