(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

The University of Kansas football team needs to pause and reflect on its performance this past Saturday, where they beat the Iowa State Cyclones 41-36 to claim their first conference victory. 

A season that deserved the ambitious predictions it was receiving — A Big 12 North Division title, and a chance to get to another BCS Bowl Game, has come under some needed scrutiny. 

Every fan, analyst, and program follower knew that KU would be able to put up the offensive numbers they have been, and that the defense would raise plenty of hairs, but after a defensive letdown like they produced on Saturday, many fans are starting to get less optimistic. 

Suddenly a visit to Folsom Field in Boulder next weekend doesn't look like the sure thing it did just a few weeks ago. The one-win Buffaloes performed well in Austin against Texas and will certainly be hungry for their first conference victory. 

The last time KU played Colorado in Boulder, the Jayhawks came out on top 19-14 in what was the second of three road wins that really helped legitimize the Jayhawks 2007-2008 Orange Bowl season. 

KU Coach Mark Mangino acknowledged his role along with his defensive coaches' as well in not having the defensive unit ready to go against Iowa State. He stressed the need to simplify defensive game plans going forward. 

Something is going to have to happen, that is the only thing one can say for sure. The Jayhawk defense made the Iowa State QB Arnaud look like a Heisman Trophy candidate. Their hybrid, 4-2-5 Nickel system failed to impress. 

Arnaud was able to shred KU's soft zone coverages. KU failed to successfully blitz early, which led to what appeared to be a give up on blitzing schemes. 

While Arnaud is a significantly more talented QB than either of the quarterbacks the KU defense will face against Colorado, the ease at which the ISU offense was able to move the ball is concerning. 

Todd Reesing went 37-49 for a personal best, 449 yards. Throwing to Dezmon, Briscoe, and Kerry Meier, two of KU's all-time great wide-receivers, who caught a total of 28 of Reesing's throws for a combined 328 yards. 

Another offensive performance like the one against Iowa State this weekend, should propel KU to a victory over Colorado next Saturday.

However, the failure of the defense to make an even small number of decent plays going deeper into their schedule, which features visits from Oklahoma, Nebraska, and road trips to Texas Tech, and Texas, will leave the high expectations Kansas football fans had for their team this season, dashed. 

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