The 2-5 Kansas Jayhawks travel south to Austin this weekend to take on the 4-2 Longhorns who recently dropped out of the AP and Coaches top 25 polls, but remain 24th in the BCS poll. Texas is 8-2 all time vs. Kansas (8-0 in Big 12 games) with Kansas' last win coming way back in 1938 when the Jayhawks beat Dana X. Bible's Longhorns 19-18. This year, at least on paper this game looks like a huge mismatch with the Jayhawks ranked 120th in yards allowed and losing their last 5 games by an average of 32 points per game.
So does Kansas have a chance on the road? Here are a few keys to the game.
↵Rushing Game: Both teams will look to do this but for different reasons. For the Longhorns, David Ash has struggled this year, so any chance they have to take the ball out of his hands and take away the pressure; they should look to do it. The Jayhawks are allowing 232 rushing yards per game which should have Malcolm Brown and Fozzy Whittaker salivating. Both backs are averaging over 5 yards per carry and I wouldn't be surprised if the Longhorns rushed for 300 yards. For Kansas, they've gotta be able to run the ball to shorten the game and keep their struggling defense off the field. If Texas is able to force Kansas into early 3 and outs, this game will get ugly very quickly.
↵Protect The Ball: The only way a team like Kansas, a team that doesn't have half your talent, can beat you is by giving them extra opportunities that they didn't earn. This specifically is in reference to freshman QB David Ash who has thrown 4 interceptions this year to only 3 touchdowns. The starting gig seems to be his now, if he's the QB they hope he is, he's gotta show something in this game. We all know it's only his 2nd start of this short career, but guys like Colt McCoy and Vince Young showed at least flashes of future greatness very early on.
↵If Texas can do these two things and do them well, they'll win easily. Either way, I'll be there in person because of the unofficial Longhorn Network "Blackout".
↵Prediction:
↵Texas 41
Kansas 13