On upset alert at Iowa State Saturday

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) - — Bill Self tried to temper expectations surrounding fifth-ranked Kansas as the season began, pointing out all the big-name players lost to graduation and the NBA.

He didn't fool his fellow Big 12 coaches. They picked the Jayhawks as co-favorites again.

After rolling through their first seven conference games without a miscue, Kansas is in a familiar position. Missouri's upset loss to Oklahoma State earlier this week created a two-game cushion in the standings heading into the Jayhawks' game Saturday at Iowa State.

It's the start of a brutal four-game stretch that includes a home game against Oklahoma and back-to-back road games against the second-ranked Tigers and No. 6 Baylor.