The Associated Press
Kansas (2-5, 0-4 Big 12) at No. 12 Baylor (6-1, 3-1), 4 p.m. (Fox Sports 1)
Line: Baylor by 36.
Series Record: Baylor leads 9-4.
WHAT’S AT STAKE
Baylor, playing for the first time since its loss two weeks ago at West Virginia, needs to win as expected. The Bears are still in a good position to win another Big 12 title, but need some impressive wins down the stretch for the College Football Playoff selection committee to see. Baylor was 13th in the initial playoff rankings this week. That was six spots below TCU, which the Bears beat at home, and four behind league-leading Kansas State, which ends the regular season in Waco the first weekend in December.
KEY MATCHUP
Refreshed Baylor RB Shock Linwood vs. Kansas defense. The Big 12’s leading rusher (99.4 yards per game) averaged 26 carries in the three games before the open date. The Jayhawks allowed 219 yards rushing in their last game, the third time this season to give up that many. In three of its four games before that, Kansas didn’t give up more than 114 yards rushing.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas: MLB Ben Heeney leads the Big 12 with 12 tackles a game, and has had at least 10 tackles in the first half of his last two games. His 84 total tackles include 10 for losses.
Baylor: MLB Bryce Hager is the team’s leading tackler with 55, with 13 in each of the last two games. He had 29 tackles the previous five teams.
FACTS & FIGURES
Baylor has won 13 consecutive home games (only Auburn with 14 in a row has a longer active streak), and 22 of its last 23 in Waco. … The Jayhawks have lost 24 consecutive conference games since 2008. … Kansas has lost 30 consecutive games away from home, and 27 consecutive true road games since a win at UTEP in 2009. … Bears QB Bryce Petty has thrown a touchdown in each of his last 19 games.
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