Kansas is 10-0 for the first time since 1899, and that might mean big Bowl Championship Series trouble again for those of us who remember Kansas State in 1998.

If Kansas wins its final three games against Iowa State, Missouri and likely Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game, the Jayhawks might jump both LSU and Oregon in the final BCS standings on Dec. 2.

This would leave Kansas in a whirlwind with a second team, possibly LSU but more likely Oregon, running for BCS appeals court.

The question about Kansas would be the same one many of us asked in 1998 about Kansas State: Should a team be able to schedule its way to a national title?

In 1998, Kansas State reached No. 1 in the coaches’ poll with help from a non-conference appetizer trey of Indiana State, Northern Illinois and Louisiana Monroe.

Bill Snyder’s team did beat Texas that year and scored a crowning home triumph over a Nebraska team that was no longer coached by Tom Osborne.

Kansas State was clock ticks away from earning a bid to the first BCS title game in Tempe, Ariz., when destiny died with a crushing overtime loss to Texas A&M in the Big 12 title game in St. Louis.

This year’s Big 12 title game might have the same kind of national impact.

And the question might be: Is a 13-0 from the Big 12 more deserving of a title bid than a one-loss champion from the Southeastern or Pac-10 conferences, arguably the two best leagues this season?

Kansas would have gotten to 13-0 with a non-conference schedule that included Central Michigan, Southeastern Louisiana, Toledo and Florida International.

Kansas also missed Texas and Oklahoma on this year’s Big 12 schedule.

The Jayhawks are, no doubt, wildly talented and entertaining. Mangino should win national coach of the year.

But dare we ask: Is Kansas even better than Boise State was last year and, if so, how would we know?

Boise State finished the regular season 12-0 and ended up No. 8 in the final BCS standings. Boise State beat Oregon State, which beat USC.

The Beavers finished with 10 victories in a season that ended with a comeback victory against Missouri (Big 12) in the Sun Bowl.

Boise State finished 13-0 after defeating Oklahoma, the Big 12 champion, in the Fiesta. For this, the Broncos earned a final Associated Press poll ranking of No. 5.

This year, a win over Oklahoma might put Kansas in the national title game. So is Kansas getting a free pass because it plays in a BCS conference? Is it the same pass Kansas State got in 1998?

Does anyone think Kansas would be undefeated this year playing in the SEC or Pac-10?

Does anyone think Kansas would be undefeated now if it had to play Texas in Austin or Oklahoma in Norman?

Without a ruler, how do you measure?

Are there vagaries and inequities in the BCS system that continue to confound and confuse even as they amuse, entertain and garner killer television ratings?