New rankings

Kansas dropped to fifth in the BCS Standings after Saturday’s 36-28 loss to Missouri, the new No. 1 team.

The Jayhawks, with a BCS average of 0.7918, are behind Missouri, West Virginia, Ohio State and Georgia. Big 12 Conference foe Oklahoma is No. 9.

Kansas (11-1) also dropped to seventh in the Associated Press Top 25 poll, fifth in the USA Today coaches poll and sixth in the Harris Interactive poll.

Injury report

With at least a month until Kansas plays again, there will be plenty of time for some banged-up players to get rest.

Cornerback Kendrick Harper and safety Patrick Resby have played sparingly in the last two weeks, while defensive tackle James McClinton and offensive tackle Anthony Collins played through obvious limps Saturday.

“At this point in time, we anticipate that all starters will be ready to go, according to the medical staff and without any surprises,” KU coach Mark Mangino said Sunday. “There is at least one or two backup players, one for sure (who won’t play).”

Mangino didn’t name the backup but stressed that it’s not Harper, who split starting assignments with Chris Harris this season.

“Kendrick Harper will be ready to play in the bowl game,” Mangino said.

Lots of stops

Missouri’s 93 offensive plays had a lot to do with it, but Kansas had six defenders Saturday register at least 12 tackles.

Safety Justin Thornton led the way with 16 stops and added two pass breakups. All three of KU’s linebackers – Mike Rivera (14), Joe Mortensen (13) and James Holt (13) – had at least a dozen, as did cornerback Chris Harris (12) and safety Darrell Stuckey (12).

Mortensen currently leads the team with 98 tackles, and could become the first KU defender since Nick Reid to compile 100 tackles in a season.