ESPN obviously didn't anticipate an undefeated Toledo team (12-0) rolling into Kansas against a less-than perfect Jayhawks squad (8-3) fighting to hold onto their national ranking; the game isn't on television. Even with bowl season, the network could have found space on ESPN2 or ESPNU. (Fortunately, It can be live streamed; that link here).

In a way, the two teams' seasons unfolded in a near perfect way for television. Toledo on TV would only mean something if they're undefeated and Kansas, still a national title contender with probably the best young talent in the country, may be flawed enough to keep this game relevant. Yet -- somewhat paradoxically -- the game might have been more competitive had Kansas been the big, bad, undefeated team pundits predicted. That version might have been more vulnerable.

At three losses, the Jayhawks are desperate -- their next loss could expel them from the top 25 -- and Toledo's zero-loss record won't allow for a let-down. The lines makers are at least following my logic. Kansas is favored by 15, according to Vegas Insider. Tough line to pick, but I'd take Kansas for the cover.

Then again, like most fans around the country, I've watched Kansas on more than a few occasions (only against Duke was I impressed) and I haven't seen a lick of Toledo. Their schedule points to some close games against suspect programs and at 12-0 they aren't even in the top 25 nor are they even getting that many votes on the outside, but maybe they are nearer to the real deal than most people are giving them credit. They did beat Boston College (4-9), who had put together one of the most early season, heartbreaking schedules I've happened to browse (overtime losses at Providence and against Sacred Heart; two-point loss to UConn, three-point loss to Toledo) before losing in bigger fashion more recently.

Theirs is still the most highly anticipated game tonight, and deserves to be on television, even over bowl games like Oregon-Texas and Arizona State-Texas Tech. Though those are actually postseason contests, they probably mean less to college sports than Toledo-Kansas.