Austin, TX (My Sportsbook) - The third-ranked Texas Longhorns aim for their 11th win of the season and a Big 12 South Division title, as they play host to the Kansas Jayhawks in conference action this weekend.
Mack Brown's Longhorns moved to 10-0 on the year with last week's 47-14 drubbing of Baylor in Waco. With the victory over the Bears, UT posted its ninth straight season with at least 10 victories, the longest streak in the nation. Texas seeks back-to-back 11-win campaigns for just the third time in school history and is closing in on the Big 12 South title, leading Oklahoma State by a game in the standings with two left on the docket.
Standing in UT's way is the struggling Kansas Jayhawks. It has been a tale of two seasons for Mark Mangino's team, which has spoiled a 5-0 start to the year, with five consecutive losses, including last week's 31-17 setback against Nebraska.
It was just recently announced that Mangino is the subject of an internal review relating to a personnel matter, confirmed by Jayhawks Athletic Director Lew Perkins.
Mangino acknowledge the review, but vows not let it affect his coaching.
"I don't really have much to say about it other than when you lose a few games in a row, those type of things surface. Those type of issues come up. It's not uncommon. I don't take it lightly, but I'm focused on Texas and I'm very comfortable with the way we manage and run the football program here. I haven't lost the team -- not one bit. I may have lost some people around here, but it's not the players."
These two teams have meeting for the 10th time, with Texas winning seven of the previous nine matchups, including seven straight entering this season.
Not much has gone Kansas' way in the second half of the season, including a dreadful 1-5 mark in Big 12 play. It isn't as though the offensive numbers are bad in Lawrence. On the contrary, behind a potent passing attack (297.0 ypg), the Jayhawks are putting up 421.9 yards of total offense.
Veteran signal-caller Todd Reesing has had a decent season under center for KU, completing 62.4 percent of his throws, for 2,862 yards with 18 TDs. His play has been enhanced by a pair of outstanding receivers on the outside in Kerry Meier (83 catches, for 885 yards, six TDs) and Dezmon Briscoe (65 catches, for 994 yards and seven TDs). The ground game takes a backseat to the passing attack, but still gets production from tailback Toben Opurum, who leads the team in rushing (541 yards) and is responsible for half of the team's 18 rushing TDs to date.
The defensive effort has been a bit more inconsistent, despite solid numbers. The team has amassed 26 sacks in the first 10 games, but has forced just 15 takeaways.
Strong safety Darrell Stuckey and linebacker Drew Dudley are running neck-and- neck for the team lead in tackles, with 73 and 72 stops, respectively. Dudley has made more plays upfield though, with 8.0 TFLs and 3.0 sacks. Defensive ends Jake Laptad (10.0 TFLs, 6.5 sacks) and Maxwell Onyegbule (10.0 TFLs, 5.0 sacks) have done a good job disrupting things in the backfield as well.
All-American quarterback Colt McCoy has had a distinguished career in Austin and with the win over Baylor, the senior has now won 42 games as a starter, tying him with Georgia's David Greene for the all-time NCAA FBS record. He is quick to spread the credit for his accomplishments around.
"Every time you step on the field you want to do your best to help your team win," McCoy said. "It's a tribute to great coaches, great teammates and playing well together."
McCoy leads the nation's top offense in terms of scoring (41.6 ppg), with the Longhorns moving the ball at will on the ground (153.8 ypg) or through the air (275.2 ypg). McCoy's numbers aren't overwhelming, although he has completed 72.4 percent of his passes, for 2,628 yards and 19 TDs.
It doesn't hurt to have one of the nation's premier receivers running routes, in Jordan Shipley, who has pulled in 81 balls this year, for 1,096 yards and eight TDs. The ground game lacks a true workhorse, but Cody Johnson (4.3 ypc, 11 TDs) and Tre' Newton (5.5 ypc, four TDs) have been effective.
The Texas offense has to thank the defense for putting it in the position to score at will most games. The Longhorn defense is one of the nation's best, limiting the opposition to just 12.6 ppg and 232.3 yards of total offense. It is absolutely impossible to run against Texas, which leads the nation in rush defense at a meager 50.4 ypg. In addition, this big play unit has recorded 30 sacks and a whopping 29 turnovers in the first 10 games.
Playmakers abound on the defensive side of the ball, starting with star linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy (team-high 63 tackles, 9.0 TFLs, 2.0 sacks). Sergio Kindle (49 tackles, 14.0 TFLs, 3.0 sacks), Lamarr Houston (39 tackles, 16 TFLs, 5.0 sacks) and Sam Acho (39 tackles, 10.0 TFLs, 6.0 sacks) deliver up front and really get up the field and cause mayhem. The play in the secondary is highlighted by safeties Earl Thomas (48 tackles, six INTs) and Blake Gideon (39 tackles, four INTs).
The Jayhawks are on the verge of not participating in a bowl game, unthinkable after winning five straight to start the year and now the coach is in a bit of turmoil. Kansas has two more chances to get the job done, but with a division title and perhaps much, much more on the line, look for Texas to be focused on the Jayhawks.
