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When Kansas has the ball

Kansas rush offense vs. Missouri rush defense

It remains questionable whether Kansas running back Jake Sharp will play today, two weeks after leaving the Jayhawks’ loss to Texas due to an undisclosed injury. Sharp has provided a needed spark this season, but he’ll need to do more than he did against Missouri last year, when he carried the ball just once for no gain despite entering the game as the team’s No. 2 rusher. In Sharp’s absence, transfer Jocques Crawford likely would see the majority of the team’s carries.

Missouri has shown the ability to stop the run so far this season, allowing just 124.5 yards per game. The Tigers have been a bit shaky in their past three games, allowing 155 yards to Baylor and 194 to lowly Kansas State. Then again, they’ve also held Colorado and Nebraska — which burned the Jayhawks for 167 rushing yards — to under 80 yards apiece on the ground.

Edge: Missouri

Kansas pass offense vs. Missouri pass defense

KU quarterback Todd Reesing continues to be a bright spot for the Jayhawks this season. Despite sometimes-subpar protection, the junior is on pace to throw for more yards than he did in 2007, when he was a second-team All-Big 12 selection. Dezmon Briscoe is among the conference’s most dangerous receivers, and a healthy Kerry Meier could play a large role in helping the Jayhawks’ offense stay on the field for long stretches.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have been almost as dismal against the pass as Kansas. Missouri is giving up 268.2 yards per game through the air, despite the presence of preseason All-America safety William Moore, and Reesing’s ability to exploit the holes in the Tigers’ secondary will be the Jayhawks’ best hope of keeping today’s game close.

Edge: Kansas

When Missouri has the ball

Missouri rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense

Despite the loss of four-year contributor Tony Temple to graduation, the Tigers have managed to supplement their aerial attack with a solid ground game. Led by sophomore Derrick Washington (909 yards, 16 touchdowns), Missouri is sixth in the conference in rushing offense and one of only two teams — along with Oklahoma State — averaging over five yards per carry.

Stopping the run is still the area the Kansas defense can hang its hat on. Despite a rough outing against Nebraska on Nov. 8, the Jayhawks performed ably the following week, holding Texas’ running backs to just 88 yards (although quarterback Colt McCoy did rush for 78 yards and a score). Missouri quarterback Chase Daniel also can scramble when necessary, so shutting him — along with the rest of the Tigers’ running backs — down will be key.

Edge: Missouri

Missouri pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense

Before consecutive Missouri losses, Daniel was a contender to win the Heisman Trophy after being named a finalist last season. Even with his Heisman hopes dashed, however, he ranks in the top five nationally in passing yards per game (326.6), total passing yards (3,592) and total offense (338.9). And in receiver Jeremy Maclin (1,052 yards, 10 touchdowns) and tight end Chase Coffman (819 yards, seven touchdowns), he is blessed with two of the top targets in the country.

The Jayhawks have dropped to 11th in the Big 12 — and 114th nationally — in pass defense, thanks to an inexperienced secondary and a lousy pass-rush. They’re allowing a dismal 274.4 passing yards per game, and a matchup against the nation’s No. 4 passing attack doesn’t bode well for the Jayhawks today at Arrowhead.

Edge: Missouri

Special teams

The Jayhawks’ special-teams units have been a mess this season. From punting to kick returns to coverage, the Jayhawks have struggled. Even the simplest things, such as returning kickoffs past the 20-yard line, have appeared virtually impossible. The result has been field position that has left the team’s offense in a significant hole.

Missouri, on the other hand, has been mostly solid on special teams. Kicker Jeff Wolfert is a Big 12-best 16-for-20 on field goals this fall, with a long of 51 yards, and with one of the nation’s most dangerous returners in Maclin, the Tigers should have a decided advantage if the game comes down to special-teams play.

Edge: Missouri