Missouri at Kansas Line

It’s the annual Border Showdown in Middle America.

Missouri has become bowl-eligible, and will be looking to finish the regular season on a positive note by picking up a win against its state-line rival, Kansas, when the two meet Saturday in Kansas City. Kansas, on the other hand, is just looking to record their first Big 12 win this year.

The Border Showdown is as even as possible, historically speaking. Missouri and Kansas have met 199 times, with each side winning 55 times with nine ties. This will mark the fifth straight year that this game will be played in Kansas City, with Missouri winning three of the last four games. Overall, the Tigers have won four of the last five meetings, with the lone KU win during this time coming in 2008 (40-37).

Our latest college football odds list Missouri as a 23.5-point favorite, while the total has been set for 61 points.

Missouri

For the first time in 2011, Missouri is riding a winning streak, having won consecutive games entering this grudge match. Their last game was a 31-27 home win over Texas Tech to become bowl-eligible. The Tigers are 4-1 against unranked teams, but 1-4 away from Columbia (the lone win over Texas A&M).

Missouri ranks 30th nationally in scoring (33 points per game) while racking up 483 yards per game (242 rushing, 241 passing). With leading rusher Henry Josey out for the year (knee), James Franklin is the team’s leading rusher with 794 yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.4 yards per carry.

Franklin has completed 63 percent of his passes for 2,553 yards and 18 touchdowns with seven interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 17 sacks. T.J. Moe and Michael Egnew are the top receiving threats, combining for 97 catches for 1,096 yards and seven TDs.

The Tiger defense ranks 53rd nationally in points allowed (25 ppg), surrendering 404 yards per game (263 passing, 141 rushing) while recording 23 sacks and forcing 17 turnovers. Andrew Wilson leads this unit with 85 tackles.

Jacquies Smith has five sacks, 31 tackles and four forced fumbles, while Luke Lambert has three fumble recoveries, 69 tackles and an interception.

Kansas

The Jayhawks started 2-0 but have lost nine straight since, the latest a 61-7 road loss to Texas A&M. Before this, Kansas lost the previous two games by a combined four points (vs. Baylor, at Iowa State).

The Jayhawks rank just 89th in scoring offense (23 ppg) while recording 344 yards per game (176 passing, 168 rushing). Jordan Webb has completed 65 percent of his passes 1,824 yards and 13 TDs with 10 interceptions. The offensive line has allowed 28 sacks.

D.J. Beshears is the top receiving threat with 38 catches for 425 yards and three TDs, while James Sims and Darrian Miller anchor the running game with a combined 1,251 yards and 13 scores on 4.1 yards per carry.

Defensively, Kansas ranks 120th in points allowed (45 ppg) and gives up 531 yards per game (286 passing, 245 rushing) while recording eight sacks and forcing 15 turnovers. Steve Johnson leads the team with 114 tackles (32 more than anyone else), adding two forced fumbles, an interceptions and a fumble recovery.

Comments

Got something to say?