Everyone knew junior cornerback Aqib Talib was a preseason All-American and would likely have another electrifying season. Everyone also knew Kansas would likely beat at least three of its nonconference opponents. Central Michigan, Kansas’ toughest nonconference opponent, was the reigning MAC champions and will be playing for the championship again this year. No one knew Kansas would blow out the Chippewas 52-7.

Now, Kansas is 10-0 and in the driver’s seat for the Big 12 Championship. After starting the season unranked, Kansas is No. 3 in the BCS standings, and the only undefeated team from a BCS conference.

To highlight Kansas’ record, here are the top 10 unexpected reasons why Kansas is 10-0:

10. Kerry Meier

The sophomore quarterback looked to be the future of Kansas’ passing game until sophomore Todd Reesing beat him out for the starting position. Many college athletes in similar situations before would complain or even decide to transfer after losing the starting quarterback job. Instead, Meier did everything he could to help the team out, whether it be filling in for punts when senior punter Kyle Tucker is having an off day, or making a key reception when the receiving corps is dropping passes, or even making a halfback pass to throw defenses off. Meier is a jack of all trades.

9. White Owl

Kansas’ newest mascot/spiritual motivator can often be found on Wescoe beach yelling, “Rock Chalk! Go KU! Go KU!” His presence at home football games this season has brought a sense of optimism and pride that Kansas football has quite possibly never seen. His cheers and dances have been shown on ESPN, Fox Sports, collegehumor.com and YouTube. Some may call it a coincidence that Kansas is 10-0 since White Owl came to Kansas, others would not. Either way, for good measure, White Owl needs to be at every game the rest of the season.

8. The fall of traditional powerhouses

No team that has been considered a traditional power in the nation has gone through the season without some embarrassing losses. Some of these traditional powers, such as Notre Dame and Nebraska, even have losing records. Notre Dame may be having its worst season since the Protestant Reformation. Michigan lost to Appalachian State and USC lost 24-23 to Stanford. Even the defending national champions, Florida, have lost three games. Each loss by these perennial powerhouses has made Kansas’ 10-0 record look more and more impressive and helped catapult Kansas to the top of the rankings.

7. The offensive line

With the graduation of three senior linemen last season, there was a big question of whether anyone would be able to fill the vacancy in Kansas’ offensive line this year. Senior tackle Cesar Rodriguez was thought to be a solid lineman and junior tackle Anthony Collins was expected to be phenomenal, but the question remained of whether junior guards Adrian Mayes and Chet Hartley and junior center Ryan Cantrell would be able to perform. With Kansas’ offense ranked 10th overall in the nation, after being ranked 33rd last season, this years line has been crucial this season.

6. The dual threat running game of jake sharp and brandon mcanderson

Sophomore halfback Jake Sharp and senior fullback Brandon McAnderson have a combined total of 1,654 yards rushing and 22 touchdowns. McAnderson looks to be improving with each step he takes this season, and with 15 touchdowns this season, he is well on his way to breaking June Henley’s record of 17 touchdowns in one season.

5. Highway to Heaven

Before this season, the theme song for Kansas football road games would likely have been the hit AC/DC song “Highway to Hell.” Before the season, Kansas was 4-21 on the road under coach Mark Mangino. This season’s 4-0 record was the first time the Jayhawks have gone undefeated on the road since 1968.

4. Ed Warinner

Last season, Kansas’ scoring offense was ranked 29th overall in the nation, averaging 29 points per game. Despite having the 29th highest scoring offense, the Jayhawks lost two games in overtime and three games in the fourth quarter. This season’s offense, under offensive coordinator Ed Warinner, is ranked second in the nation, and there is no doubt as to whether Kansas can score at any given moment.

3. Three defensive Backs without the jersey No. 3

In the off-season, Kansas wanted to improve the worst passing defense and No. 81 scoring defense in the nation. Last season, Aqib Talib was the only defensive back that quarterbacks were afraid to throw at. This season, Kansas has been much better at defending the pass, with the No. 2 ranked pass defense in the Big 12 and No. 2 ranked scoring defense in the nation. Junior defensive backs Patrick Resby and Kendrick Harper and sophomore Darrell Stuckey are three reasons why teams have had trouble scoring against Kansas.

2. Todd Reesing

The sophomore quarterback is having the best season of any Kansas quarterback ever. Nicknamed “Sparky” by coach Mark Mangino for his energetic personality and play, Reesing is putting up better numbers than former Boston College quarterback Doug Flutie. Flutie, known for his legendary Hail Mary pass against Miami in 1984, is regarded as one of the best short quarterbacks in college football history. Judging by how well Kansas’ defense has played this season, Reesing may never have to make a legendary pass to win a game.

1. Mark Mangino

While other teams on top of the BCS standings have lost games, Kansas has persevered through 10 games undefeated. The main reason for this is the sixth-year coach. Week in and week out, Mangino has continued to show his genius as a coach, which is reflected in all aspects of the game. Kansas happens to be the least penalized team in the nation, showing how well disciplined the football team is. Not even the service academies, Army, Navy and Air Force, which all rank in the top 10, have better disciplined football teams than Kansas. With Kansas having possibly its best season ever, it’d be absurd if Mangino were not given the National Coach of the Year Award.

Edited by Kaitlyn Syring