Surging Kansas Jayhawks to Face Strong Baylor Bears in Waco

Alex Blackburn

Nov 29, 20243 min read

Devin Neal Kansas Jayhawks — © Nick Tre. Smith/USA TODAY SPORTS

The Kansas Jayhawks (5-6, 4-4 Big 12 Conference) will take on the Baylor Bears (7-4, 5-3 Big 12) in Waco,

Texas on Nov. 30 at noon EST for the regular-season finale.

The Jayhawks will look to make it four wins in a row, while the Bears look to further perform above their

expectations this season.

Fighting for Postseason Glory

The Bears have secured their bowl eligibility but have an outside chance at making it to the Big 12

Championship game. Should they win and the teams ahead aside from the No. 18 Iowa State Cyclones

(9-2, 6-2 Big 12) lose, then they secure a bid to Arlington, Texas.

However, the Jayhawks also will be playing for their postseason hopes as well. One more win puts

them into bowl eligibility. After a disappointing 2-6 start, Kansas has rattled off three wins in a row. Kansas has a chance to join historic company. The Jayhawks can be one of a few teams in college football history to win four-plus straight games at the season's end to become bowl-eligible.

Key Players: Kansas Jayhawks

The Jayhawks have the offensive firepower to really make this Bears defense pay dearly should they not

prepare accordingly. Baylor gives up 372.9 yards of total offense on average, while Kansas' offense averages

413.7 yards per game.

Devin Neal, Running Back

Devin Neal had a career game against the No. 25 Colorado Buffaloes (8-3, 6-2 Big 12), running for 287

yards and four total touchdowns. Neal is poised to have another big game against the No. 71 run

defense in the nation that allows 150.1 yards per game.

Neal is expected to be the main offensive producer for the Jayhawks once again. He has shown why he’s

one of the best running backs in the country.

Mello Dotson, Cornerback

Going up against Sawyer Robertson and the No. 51 passing offense in the nation will prove to be a

worthy challenge for the Big 12’s best cornerback duo.

Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant allowed just 266 yards to one of the nation’s best passing offenses on Nov. 23. Dotson and Bryant will, once again, have to be on their A-game. Dotson needs to be the

top corner in a very stout secondary that has come onto the scene these past few weeks.

Key Players: Baylor Bears

The Bears also have offensive firepower, but their offense plays well into Kansas' defensive strengths. How will Baylor adjust to get around a defense that's had a very good past few games?

Sawyer Robertson, Quarterback

While the Kansas secondary has certainly played well these past few games, they’re still the No. 92

defense in passing yards allowed with 232. 6 yards on average.

Robertson is one of the Big 12’s best QBs, averaging about 211 yards a game with 22 TDs and 7 interceptions. He also has plenty of skills on the ground. That should should concern a Jayhawks defense that doesn't contain a scrambling quarterback well. Should Robertson get going, this will put the Bears in prime position to win. It also sets Baylor up to do what it can to control in terms of the Big 12 Championship race.

Keaton Thomas, Linebacker

Keaton Thomas will have to be the guy to slow down Neal and this Kansas rushing attack. Thomas has 56 total tackles, 7 tackles for loss and is the leader on this Bears defense. A skilled coverage linebacker, he balances out well.

The Bears' defense will need to be humming and keep this up-tempo, physical Jayhawks attack in check. It is a tough ask, but Thomas will be the guy for the job to make this defense play to its best.

Who Wants It More?

This game will determine each team’s postseason fate. with that being the case, it will be a game of who

wants it more and who can manage the teams' respective hot hand on offense.

The Bears have done very well this season. Baylor has been much better than what was expected in the preseason. Kansas has been on a tear, rattling off three straight wins against ranked teams. It will be

close, but Kansas is the team with all the momentum in the world right now.

Look for Kansas to become bowl-eligible, winning a tight one 35-31.