Ryan Wood’s KU football notebook

New rankings

KU’s 19-14 road victory at Colorado on Saturday has shot the Jayhawks even higher up the national rankings.

Kansas is ninth in the latest Bowl Championship Series rankings, 10th in the USA Today coaches poll, 11th in the Harris Interactive poll and 12th in the Associated Press poll.

The last three are voted on by humans, while the BCS rankings combine the USA Today and Harris polls with six computer rankings to spit out an average.

KU’s BCS average this week was 0.6479, after getting a 0.5710 last week. The highest possible average is a 1.000.

Wheeler fine

KU defensive end Jeff Wheeler, after getting a clutch sack in the fourth quarter Saturday, appeared to favor his right arm as he left the field.

Coach Mark Mangino, though, said Wheeler should be fine.

“He practiced (Sunday),” Mangino said. “He’s a little sore, but the trainers said he’s full go, and it should not be any issue at all.”

Up next

Texas A&M put on a ground-game clinic against Nebraska in a 36-14 victory on Saturday, rushing for 359 yards on 66 carries.

Running back Jorvorskie Lane, a 270-pound bowling ball, had 130 yards and four touchdowns, while quarterback Stephen McGee carried the ball 35 times for 167 yards. Texas A&M improved to 6-2 overall and 3-1 in Big 12 Conference play with the victory.

KU’s run defense has been good for three years now, and it was strong in holding a run-happy Colorado team to 2.0 yards per attempt. That sets up an intriguing matchup for Saturday’s game, which will kick off at 6 p.m. and be televised on ESPN2.

The Jayhawks opened as a three-point favorite on Sunday night. They’re 6-0 against the spread this season.