Kansas @ TCU preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 8, 2016 ) Texas Christian 24, Kansas 23

TCU is the lone undefeated team remaining in the Big 12 and jumped all the way to No. 4 in the country following an impressive win at Kansas State last week. The Horned Frogs will try to avoid a letdown when they host Kansas on Saturday night.

TCU has the inside track at a spot in the College Football Playoff, though a trip to Oklahoma looms next month, and can run the table in the Big 12 behind a defense that held Kansas State to 70 rushing yards on 29 attempts last week. “I think it is really good, we have got some talent," senior defensive end Mat Boesen told reporters of the Horned Frogs' defensive front. "We are only six games in and have a lot left to go this season. We are off to a great start and have a lot of potential." The Jayhawks are not quite as stout on defense and were shellacked 45-0 at Iowa State last week - the fifth straight game in which the team surrendered at least 42 points. Kansas ranks 128th out of 129 FBS teams in scoring defense at an average of 44.8 points allowed and has surrendered 17 rushing touchdowns.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX. LINE: TCU -39

ABOUT KANSAS (1-5, 0-3 Big 12): While the defense has been an issue all season, the offense is beginning to deteriorate as well and hit bottom while being held scoreless at Iowa State. "Last week's offensive performance is unacceptable," Jayhawks coach David Beaty told reporters. "There is just no other way to say it. We all shoulder that burden -- myself, our staff, all of our players -- and we have to do a good job of looking inside. Really, our entire team does." Quarterback Peyton Bender was just 8-of-19 for 18 yards with a long of six and one interception last week and is completing 55.2 percent of his passes on the season with four TDs and seven interceptions during the five-game slide.

ABOUT TCU (6-0, 3-0): The Horned Frogs are 11th in FBS in scoring offense at an average of 41.3 points behind senior quarterback Kenny Hill, who is completing 69.8 percent of his passes for 1,450 yards, 10TDs and three INTs. Hill, who added rushing scores in each of the last two games, gets plenty of help from a rushing attack that averages 199.5 yards and scored a total of 17 touchdowns. Darius Anderson (470 yards, six TDs) is the team's leading rusher but 225-pound sophomore Sewo Olonilua is a handful at the goal line with six TDs as well and senior Kyle Hicks is beginning to get more involved in the offense as he makes his way back from injury.

EXTRA POINTS

1. TCU took each of the five meetings with Kansas since joining the Big 12, though it escaped last season with a 24-23 road win and each of the last three matchups were within six points.

2. Jayhawks RB Khalil Herbert (hamstring) is expected to miss his second straight game.

3. The Horned Frogs are averaging 50 points at home.

PREDICTION: TCU 56, Kansas 10