ku is definitely a top 25 team this year. In that sense they are "for real." However, the 8-0 record is in large part a result of playing the 101st "toughest" schedule in the country. Looking down the sagarin rankings, the only other teams in the top 40 with schedule strength in triple digits are Cincinnati and Boise State. The only real teams the Hawks have played are KSU, CU, and aTm -- and ku has proven they are slightly better than those three (by 6, 5, and 8 points respectively).
So, ku a good team? Yes. A national championship caliber team? Not so much.