When Kansas has the ball

Kansas rush offense vs. Colorado rush defense

Following last week’s game against Iowa State, Kansas might have stumbled upon a primary ball-carrier. Jake Sharp’s 186 yards of total offense was the most from a Kansas running back this season and makes him a favorite to earn the bulk of the carries against Colorado. Quarterback Todd Reesing also has been particularly large in the running game against Colorado in this career. Last season, he rushed for a game-high 84 yards, and in 2006 he finished with 90.

The Buffaloes have given up 171.4 rushing yards per game, ninth in the Big 12, so the Jayhawks should have an opportunity to build upon last week’s slight success (117 yards and two touchdowns on the ground).

Edge: Push

Kansas pass offense vs. Colorado pass defense

Reesing has continued to carry Kansas’ offense, the most recent example coming in a second-half barrage that helped the Jayhawks overcome a 20-0 halftime deficit against Iowa State. So far this season, he has thrown 14 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Colorado has allowed the third-fewest passing yards in the Big 12 this season, thanks largely to defensive backs Ryan Walters and Cha’Pelle Brown. The Buffaloes also rank third in interceptions with seven, but appeared vulnerable last week against Texas quarterback Colt McCoy.

Edge: Kansas

When Colorado has the ball Colorado rush offense vs. Kansas rush defense

Colorado’s ground attack has been nearly as stunted as the Jayhawks’. Rodney Stewart is the team’s leading rusher with 376 yards (75.2 per game), while Darrell Scott, the heralded true freshman running back, has been virtually non-existent in the Buffaloes’ ground game, rushing just twice for four yards in the Texas loss.

For its part, Kansas has been deft at stopping the run. Iowa State rushed for just 97 total yards, making it five straight games that the Jayhawks have held opponents to under 150 yards rushing.

Edge: Kansas

Colorado pass offense vs. Kansas pass defense

As a red-shirt freshman last year, Buffaloes quarterback Cody Hawkins threw for 2,693 yards and 19 touchdowns. This year, however, has been rougher on the sophomore. The Buffaloes’ aerial attack looked atrocious against the Longhorns, as Hawkins threw for just 118 yards on 13-of-33 passing.

On the flip side, even with the return of injured cornerback Kendrick Harper, the Jayhawks have struggled, giving up 268 passing yards and three touchdowns to Iowa State’s Austen Arnaud last week.

Edge: Colorado

Special teams

At this point in the season, neither team has excelled in special teams. Buffaloes kicker Aric Goodman is coming off his worst performance of the season. In a 38-14 loss to Texas last week, he missed a school-record-tying three field goals from distances of 36, 43 and 44 yards. Kansas kick returner Marcus Herford, meanwhile, has been equally disappointing. Herford’s kick-return average last season was 28.7 yards, good for 15th in the nation. This year, his longest return is 26 yards.

Edge: Push