Philadelphia, PA -- (Sports Network) - 2007 SEASON IN REVIEW: The Kansas Jayhawks really came into their own in 2007, winning 12 times and coming within a single game of playing for the national championship. Behind one of the most potent offenses in the country and a defense that suffocated more than one opponent, the Jayhawks steamrolled their way to 42.8 ppg (second-best nationally) while allowing just 16.4 ppg (fourth- best). KU's first two games, albeit against weak competition (Central Michigan and Southeastern Louisiana), saw the team score a total of 114 points while giving up just seven.

It wasn't until the conference opener against rival Kansas State that a team scored more than 13 points, the Wildcats putting up 24, and that was followed with three more stifling defensive efforts with Baylor, Colorado and Texas A&M scoring 10, 14 and 11 points, respectively. The final five games saw foes average 26.2 ppg, and that included the Jayhawks' lone setback, a 36-28 decision against Missouri. A 24-21 win over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl put the wraps on KU's most successful campaign in recent memory, setting the stage for what the school's rabid fan base hopes is the kind of annual excitement currently generated only by the men's basketball team.

2008 ANALYSIS:

OFFENSE: Coach Mark Mangino, who collected a ton of national coaching awards following last season, knew it was only a matter of time before his offense would find its groove, but not even he could have predicted the lofty heights the unit would reach in 2007. Junior Todd Reesing is back to once again direct the Jayhawks from under center. Reesing threw for nearly 3,500 yards with 33 TDs and only seven INTs.

Mangino spoke highly of his signal caller this summer, "He certainly had a big 2007 and we would anticipate that he will compete and perform at the same level. For Todd, the challenge is to be able to manage all the attention that he's received. And I think he's doing a good job of that."

Reesing will have the luxury of throwing to two of the three leading receivers from last year in senior Dexton Fields and 6-3 sophomore Dezmon Briscoe. The duo combined for than 100 catches and 13 TDs in '07. The KU run game will feel the sting of losing Brandon McAnderson (1,125 yards, 16 TDs), but the hope is junior Jake Sharp (821 yards, seven TDs) or former juco standout Jocques Crawford will prove to be the next great back in Lawrence. Three linemen return, including center Ryan Cantell. Replacing both OTs presents a challenge, but one Mangino and his coaches welcome as there is no shortage of talent waiting in the wings.

DEFENSE: As explosive as the KU offense was last season, the defense was every bit as impressive. Mangino has the good fortune of welcoming back nine starters from a unit that finished in the top-12 in total defense last year (317.3 ypg).

The battles in the trenches will likely fall in favor of the Jayhawks more times than not again as senior DEs Russell Brorsen and John Larson along with junior DT Caleb Blakesley clog the middle of the field, setting up arguably the Big 12's best crop of LBs to clean up. Senior Joe Mortensen is probably the best of the lot, garnering early consideration for the 2008 Butkus Award after collecting a team-high 106 tackles in '07. Fellow seniors James Holt and Mike Rivera won't play in Mortensen's shadow this fall, as both nearly hit the 100-tackle mark as juniors.

The secondary features three returning starters, among them junior FS Darrell Stuckey who made 72 tackles and picked off a pair of passes last season.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Marcus Herford is one of the nation's top kick returners and he is back to hopefully give the Jayhawks favorable field position every time he touches the ball. Kansas will break in two new kickers following the departure of both Kyle Tucker and Scott Webb. The former averaged just 38.9 yards per boot so coach Mangino hopes his new punter will perform better.

OUTLOOK: Not taking anything away from everything the Jayhawks accomplished last year, but they were fortunate not to have played Texas, Oklahoma and Texas Tech. Mangino's club isn't as lucky this time as all three are on the 2008 schedule, although both the Longhorns and Red Raiders will visit Lawrence.

Mangino was asked about the tougher road this fall and he said, "We've always said that we want our program to be able to compete with the best teams in the league. And the fact that we are picking up Oklahoma, Texas and Texas Tech is something that we look forward to. We want to be able to play against all the best teams in our league. And be able to beat them. That's the test for our progam. We will never truly get over the hump, in my eyes -- I don't know how anybody else sees it -- but in my eyes until we're able to defeat those teams as well."

Another near-perfect season may be unrealistic when considering the upgraded schedule, but Kansas has the talent and confidence to achieve nearly every goal put in place. Plenty will depend on finding a productive running game, Reesing being healthy and continuing his development and getting another dominant performance from the defense, and if those things all happen the sky is the limit for the high-flying Jayhawks.