Jayhawks can hang with Sooners

Oklahoma limped away from last week's Red River Rivalry without its No. 1 ranking, perfect record and bragging rights against Texas.

The Sooners also lost middle linebacker Ryan Reynolds, a Bishop Gorman High School product, for the rest of the year with a knee injury.

Undefeated teams off their first loss often suffer a letdown the next week.

Kansas coach Mark Mangino served as Oklahoma's offensive coordinator from 1999 to 2001, and he has done an outstanding job at a traditional basketball school. Last year, the Jayhawks had a breakout season by reeling off 11 straight wins to open the season and finishing 12-1.

Many key players returned, including quarterback Todd Reesing, the type of mobile passer capable of giving the Sooners' defense trouble, especially without Reynolds.

If the Jayhawks can avoid allowing too many big plays today in Norman, Okla., they can cover as 20-point underdogs.

Other selections for today's games (home team in CAPS):

• Georgia Tech (-2) over CLEMSON: What else can go wrong at Clemson? After coach Tommy Bowden resigned -- or was forced out -- some players were in tears while others said Bowden got what he deserved. The offensive coordinator quit, and one of the Tigers' top running backs, C.J. Spiller, is out with a hamstring injury. On top of all that, Clemson is expected to make a quarterback change. Redshirt freshman Willy Korn gets the start in place of ineffective senior Cullen Harper.

Georgia Tech is 5-1, with its loss at Virginia Tech. Starting quarterback Josh Nesbitt returns to run the Yellow Jackets' triple-option offense for coach Paul Johnson.

• IOWA (-31/2) over Wisconsin: The wheels are falling off for the Badgers as they are 0-3 in the Big Ten. Last week, they were rolled 48-7 by Penn State, which dominated every facet of the game.

Iowa got a boost of confidence by blowing out Indiana 45-9, scoring the last 28 points of the game. Ricky Stanzi has taken control of the quarterback position, and Shonn Greene continues to impress at running back. The Hawkeyes look to avenge last year's 17-13 loss.

• Mississippi (+13) over ALABAMA: The Rebels have been the wild card in the Southeastern Conference. They upset Florida in The Swamp as 23-point underdogs but committed six turnovers in a home loss to Vanderbilt. Mississippi quarterback Jevan Snead will be able to handle the tough road environment.

Both teams had the week off to prepare for this game. Alabama has not been impressive in the role of a double-digit home favorite, with narrow wins over Tulane and Kentucky.

• SOUTH CAROLINA (+3) over Louisiana State: The Tigers get another night road test. Last week, LSU's undefeated season went up in smoke as Florida hung 51 points on the Tigers' defense.

South Carolina continues to have success rotating two quarterbacks and will start Stephen Garcia, who led the second-half comeback over Kentucky last week. The Gamecocks' defense, under first-year coordinator Ellis Johnson, limited the Wildcats to 218 yards. If the line is 21/2, it's worthwhile to buy the half-point.

Last week: 5-3 against the spread

Season: 18-23

Barry Holthaus, a handicapper for VegasInsider.com, is providing college football analysis for the Review-Journal this season. He can be heard on the Leroy's Sports Hour at 10 p.m. Saturdays on KLAV-AM (1230).