No. 23 Kansas

Coach: Mark Mangino

Record at school: 45-41, 7 years

Last season: 8-5, 4-4 Big 12

Bowl game: Beat Minnesota 42-21 in the Insight Bowl

Overview: Mark Mangino had the Jayhawks' offense on a roll last season. With
quarterback Todd Reesing, the Kansas offense put on a good show every week.
But the defense couldn't keep up in the pass-happy Big 12, and this season
won't bring any respite.

Key returnees: QB Todd Reesing, Sr.; RB Jake Sharp, Sr; WR Dezmon Briscoe,
Jr.; WR Kerry Meier, Sr.; S Darrell Stuckey, Sr.

Why Kansas is dangerous: Todd Reesing threw for 3,888 yards and 32
touchdowns last season. A Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist, he surely will
be on the Walter Camp Player of the Year watch list again this season.
Reesing, 5-foot-11, has 68 career touchdown passes. Dezmon Briscoe had 1,407
yards in receptions last year, and Kerry Meier had 1,045. Jake Sharp rushed
for 860 yards, so Kansas is also a threat to run.

Why Kansas is vulnerable: The Jayhawks' defense gave up just under 400 yards
per game last season and it likely won't be much better, especially because
it lost all three linebackers.

Prediction: Kansas has a weak nonconference schedule and could win its first
six games. A home game against Oklahoma and a road game against Texas are
likely losses. The Jayhawks also have a home game against Nebraska that
could be tough. A 9-3 record is possible, but 8-4 is more likely.