The Extrapolater

The headline of this post is an admission. Yes, I realize that Kansas is not really ready for prime time, not yet. The Jayhawks are #3 in the BCS, and that accomplishment is real and should not be diminished. But either of the teams tabbed 1/2 could beat Kansas, as could several teams ranked below.

But anyone expecting Kansas fans to feel bad about going 10-0 without facing Texas or Oklahoma in conference obviously has no grasp of the historical magnitude of this season of unexpected success. The current start has not been equaled by any Kansas team in over a century. We’re talking pre-helmet days, and coaches who remembered the Civil War clearly. If KU handles business when Iowa State visits Lawrence next week, it will be the best start ever on Mount Oread. Ever.

So don’t talk to Kansas fans about not playing the Longhorns or Sooners - we don’t want to hear it. This time last year, we couldn’t beat Baylor on the road, but 2007 has brought us an unblemished road record in tough environs - K State, Colorado, Texas A&M. Why we even survived OSU despite Boone Pickens blabbering through the entire third quarter of the televised game on Saturday. A team nobody thought much of has never wilted under the pressure of televised games or mounting expectations. This is a magical team for natives of the Sunflower State.

If Kansas is not for real, we will know - either when the Jayhawks face Missouri in Arrowhead Stadium in two weeks, or thereafter if/when they play in the Big 12 Championship game. Then all those fans of the status quo can smile smugly into their beers and say “I told you so”. But for now - stick it.

Kansas is 10-0.