” … It’s Harvard for the rich man’s son, for drunkards, Old Mizzou/Nebraska for her confound luck, but for real men, Old KU.” That old refrain rang in my ears as I watched Kansas fall to NU in overtime. A break here or there, KU could have won it.

OK, Nebraska created much of its own luck, including three touchdown passes of 75 or more yards. But Dame Fortune continued to smile on the Huskers and rolled too many snake-eyes for KU. Luck has factored heavily in NU’s 88-22-3 record in the series. My most memorable “breaks” against Kansas occurred in that 1969 heartbreaker at Lincoln.

NU trailed KU, 17-14, and faced fourth down and long yardage with only two minutes to go. Deep in his own territory, quarterback Jerry Tagge flung a long desperation pass that led to an interference call against Kansas (in Lincoln, 63,223 sellout). KU captain Emery Hicks protested and got a 15-yard penalty, ball on the Kansas 17.

In four plays (including another penalty) halfback Jeff Kinney banged over from the 3 with 1:22 left. KU was dead, 21-17. Earlier, KU felt it made a first down to retain the ball but the officials ruled not. … So again, “… Nebraska for her confound luck.” (NU wound up with a 9-2 record and a Sun Bowl victory; KU finished 1-9).

It’s time for Kansas 2006 to create its own prosperity and stop relying too much on Lady Luck being friendly. Note the way penalties factored in that ’69 Nebraska gut-wrencher, even if the Huskers might have benefited from home cooking to keep coach Bob Devaney happy. The Jayhawks must stop beating themselves with bonehead penalties, which always seem to come when they hurt the most.

Enough late hits, unsportsmanlike conduct, needless holds and, heaven forbid, costly hot-dogging. Kansas with good sense, strict discipline and constant improvement is capable of defeating any or (get this) all seven opponents left on the schedule. But the Jayhawks can’t play like dolts. An entire roster that begins with Allen and ends with Zeleznak proved it could cope with the likes of a lucky, good Nebraska team. Now KU has to show it’s ready for prime time. The Jayhawks could come of age Saturday.

Texas A&M has Stephen McGee, who may be the best all-around quarterback in the Big 12, even if he still has cobwebs from a concussion. Jorvorskie Lane is a 265-pound foot-in-the-face runner who’s awesome.

Yet undersized Army nearly beat the Aggies in San Antonio; KU has better personnel, particularly if Adam Barmann continues playing to win rather than not to lose. I doubt his Nebraska comeback was a fluke.

How long has it been since Kansas could realistically view all seven final foes as reachable?

A&M, Oklahoma State, Baylor, Colorado, Iowa State, Kansas State and Missouri. There’s no Oklahoma or Texas this year. Missouri, off to a 5-0 start with a versatile triggerman in Chase Daniel, would be favored over Kansas tomorrow, same as Texas A&M with McGee up to par. Underdogs, schmunderdogs!

Okie State and Baylor have proved they can handle a worthy foe; Kansas has yet to spring the kind of upset Baylor did with K-State, but that’s viable. CU, ISU and KSU have struggled and are vulnerable. By Nov. 25, no telling what could happen at Missouri.

But the Jayhawks can play with anybody if they muster intelligence and discipline, get sound guidance from the bench, are blessed with a little luck and avoid silly penalties.

Let the good times roll!