Kansas @ Texas preview
Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium
Last Meeting ( Nov 21, 2009 ) Kansas 20, Texas 51
THE STORY: Kansas and Texas have felt the brunt of the elite teams that exist in the Big 12, but only the latter looks like it has a chance to compete this season. The Longhorns, who were dismantled by Oklahoma on Oct. 8, were much more competitive in their last game against Oklahoma State. Despite falling behind the high-scoring Cowboys by 18 on a kickoff return to open the second half, Texas pulled to within four points minutes later before eventually losing 38-26. Despite the quality of its opponents in recent weeks, Kansas has been one of the least competitive teams in the nation since starting 2-0, allowing an average of 595 yards and 57 points during its five-game losing streak. In those losses, which have come against opponents with a combined 31-5 record, the Jayhawks have been outscored 287-124 - an average margin of 32.6 points. The Longhorns are 8-2 all-time against the Jayhawks, with Kansas’ wins coming in 1901 and 1938. Texas is the only Big 12 opponent Kansas has not defeated since the inception of the conference in 1996.
TV: Longhorn Network. LINE: Texas -28.
ABOUT KANSAS (2-5, 0-4 Big 12): Linebacker Steven Johnson leads the conference with 76 tackles and also ranks among the top 10 nationally with a 10.8 average. Despite its woeful play on defense, Kansas’ rushing attack ranks fourth in the Big 12 at 188.2 yards per game.
ABOUT TEXAS (4-2, 1-2): Although they allowed 420 yards of total offense to the Cowboys on Oct. 15, the Longhorns defense - ranked 30th nationally - held Oklahoma State 157 yards below its season average. Freshman quarterback David Ash, who had shared duties with Case McCoy since Garrett Gilbert left the program, took all the snaps against the Cowboys.
EXTRA POINTS:
1. Texas coach Mack Brown is 17-4 following an off week.
2. Five Longhorns have thrown a touchdown pass this season - the most in college football.
3. Kansas is on pace to allow an FBS-record 605 points.
PREDICTION: Texas 44, Kansas 20 - The Longhorns dropped a similar game last season against Iowa State after two high-profile games. With Brown reminding his team of that disappointment, don’t expect a similar letdown this time around.