NCAA Preview: Kansas vs Baylor
Kansas (1-4, 0-2 Big 12) at No. 11 Baylor (5-0, 2-0), 3:30 p.m. (FS1)
Line: Baylor by 34.
Series record: Baylor leads 11-4.
WHAT'S AT STAKE
Baylor is trying to get to 6-0 for the fourth season in a row, and is playing for the only time in a three-week span -- the Homecoming game for the Bears comes between two open dates. Kansas is trying to end a 14-game Big 12 losing streak that dates back to November 2014, though the Jayhawks came close last week in a 24-23 home loss to TCU, which kicked the go-ahead field goal with 1:21 left before Kansas had its third missed kick of the fourth quarter as time expired.
KEY MATCHUP
If the Jayhawks have any chance, they are going to need a similar defensive performance against big-play Baylor as they did against TCU. The Jayhawks last week picked off Horned Frogs QB
Kenny Hill three times and sacked him five times. The Bears have given up only three sacks and their QB, Seth Russell, has only four interceptions.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas: WR Steven Simms Jr. has had three 100-yard receiving games already this season, the most for the Jayhawks in seven years. Sims has 26 catches for 413 yards and five TDs, accounting for half of KU's scoring passes.
Baylor: WR KD Cannon is expected to return after missing the last game with a groin injury. He is the only player in Baylor history with three 200-yard receiving games and has caught a pass in all 30 career games he has played. In the two games before the injury, Cannon had 19 catches for 306 yards and three TDs.
FACTS & FIGURES
RB Shock Linwood, who earlier this season became Baylor's career rushing leader, is tied for the Bears record with 35 career touchdowns. ... The Jayhawks have lost 35 consecutive road games since a win at UTEP in September 2009. ... Baylor's six-game winning streak, including the last year's Russell Athletic Bowl, is the longest in the Big 12.