Here is the latest Mid-America sports news from The Associated Press

UNDATED (AP) — Before the season, Kansas State and Iowa State seemed like they each had a reasonable chance to compete for a spot in the Big 12 title game. The Wildcats and Cyclones now seem like they might already be out of the league race. Iowa State and K-State entered October at the bottom of the league standings, along with Kansas.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska’s descent from the top of the college football hierarchy is going on two decades. The Cornhuskers’ 0-4 start still seems jarring, and not just to people inside the program and the fan base that has sold out Memorial Stadium every game since 1962. Former Kansas coach Glen Mason says he never thought he would see the day when a Nebraska team was struggling so much.

UNDATED (AP) — Some of the Big Ten’s top defenses stick to old-school principles in this era of high-scoring, pass-happy offenses. The best ones are big, stout and focused first on stopping the run. The conference has three of the top seven run defenses and four of the top 18 in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Six of the league’s 14 teams are in the top 50.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill called his quarterback slow. Their coach, Andy Reid, said his quarterback’s voice was “froggish.” And Patrick Mahomes insists he can dish the trash talk just as well as he can receive it. It’s all part of a unique locker room banter that has helped keep things light as Kansas City rolls up win after win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — The Jaguars have the NFL’s best defense, led by a backfield featuring star cornerbacks A.J. Bouye and Jalen Ramsey. The Chiefs counter with the highest-scoring offense, led by early MVP front-runner Patrick Mahomes under center. Their matchup at Arrowhead Stadium on Sunday is arguably the game of the week, if not the game of the season so far.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — World champion welterweight Terence Crawford says he is eager to make unbeaten challenger Jose Benavidez Jr. eat his words when they meet in the ring in Omaha, Nebraska, on Oct. 13. A heated confrontation between Benavidez and Crawford in February was a major topic in a teleconference to promote the fight. Crawford says he accepted the fight because he wants to give the Phoenix native a chance to show what he’s made of.