The hype is overflowing for Vince Young — and rightfully so — as he captains the Texas ship to a 9-0 record heading into a 2:30 p.m. football showdown today with Kansas University.

Young, with 778 yards rushing on 111 attempts, statistically is UT’s top running option. But that might only be because of a traffic jam behind him.

A running-back controversy, if you will, has hit the Longhorns.

Here’s the lowdown: Selvin Young (76 carries, 312 yards) has been battling an ankle injury and didn’t play against Baylor. Jamaal Charles (94 carries, 702 yards) has impressed, but still is a true freshman with a lot to learn. Ramonce Taylor (29 carries, 262 yards) is as athletic as they get, but he isn’t a full-time running back. He’s worked out with wide receivers most of the season.

After Taylor rushed for 102 yards against the Bears in Selvin Young’s place, the Texas backfield got a little crowded with playmakers, especially since Young is expected to play today.

Now, Texas coach Mack Brown’s job is to keep all of them happy.

Texas quarterback Vince Young, left, tries to break away from Baylor's Maurice Lane, right, and Jamaal Harper. The Longhorns beat the Bears, 62-0, Saturday in Waco, Texas.

“Ramonce has played both (running back and receiver) all week again, but the way he played at tailback last week, you obviously have to put him there some,” Brown said. “I would think that we would play Ramonce and Jamaal and Selvin, all three, at tailback (against Kansas).”

No matter the talents of all three tailbacks, though — and there’s plenty of it — Vince Young’s legs demand most of KU’s attention. The junior quarterback out of Houston is in the prime of an outstanding college career as a dual-threat slinger. Along with his 778 rushing yards, Young has passed for 2,133 yards, completing 63 percent of his throws and having a 2:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio.

Young has passed for 230-plus yards in the last six games, including 336 yards on 25-of-29 passing against Colorado, the Big 12 North’s top team.

Consequently, Texas is aiming to run the table and has scored 40-plus points in all but one game this season.

Texas running back Ramonce Taylor beats Baylor's James Todd to the end zone.

“He has worked very hard at developing himself as a passer,” KU coach Mark Mangino said of Vince Young. “He’s very dangerous. He can throw the ball very well. He has developed himself into a very fine passer, more so than what he probably gets credit for.”

Young’s passing capabilities might be the key today. Considering Kansas has the top-rated rush defense in college football, Texas’ best chance statistically would be in the passing game, where Young can find wideouts such as Quan Cosby, Limas Sweed and … oh yeah, Ramonce Taylor.

It’s anyone’s guess where Taylor, who also returns some kicks, will spend most of todat, but it’s obvious he won’t be on the sidelines.

“Ramonce is a special breed,” Vince Young said. “He can do whatever. For him to learn both running back and receiver, he is getting better and better each game.”

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