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

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes was perhaps the biggest wild card for Kansas City entering the season. But the first-year starter, and now an MVP candidate, has been perhaps the most consistent player for the Chiefs as they seek an AFC West title and the No. 1 seed in the playoffs.

LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Kansas was supposed to have an easy run to its 15th consecutive Big 12 title. But the emergence of Texas Tech and Oklahoma coupled with solid play from Kansas State and TCU have turned their road into a bumpy one. It begins with a showdown between the Jayhawks and Sooners next week, when the double-round-robin slate begins.

UNDATED (AP) — The Big Ten’s expanded schedule is shaping up to be quite a grind. After starting the season with only three teams in the AP Top 25, the league now has six. That’s significant at a time when the Big Ten has increased the number of conference games. Each of the league’s men’s basketball teams will play 20 conference games now. That’s up from 18 a season ago.