Kansas-Baylor college football preview

When/where: 3 p.m. Saturday at McLane Stadium in Waco, Texas

TV/radio: Fox Sports 1; KCSP (610 AM)

The series: Baylor leads 9-4

The line: Baylor by 36

KANSAS (2-5, 0-4 Big 12)

BAYLOR (6-1, 3-1 Big 12)

What’s at stake

After four straight losses to begin the Big 12 season, Kansas had a bye week to prepare for Baylor. The bad news: The Bears also had a bye week after suffering a loss at West Virginia, their first of the season. The Jayhawks will be making their first trip to McLane Stadium, the new crown jewel on the Brazos River in Waco. Aside from the new surroundings, Kansas should be more concerned with the Baylor offense. The Bears have averaged 46.5 points per game in four straight victories over Kansas. That includes a 59-14 beatdown last season in Lawrence.

Cheers if …

The Kansas defense can do something — anything — to make the Baylor offense uncomfortable. Baylor sophomore running back Shock Linwood leads the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (99.4) and senior quarterback Bryce Petty has thrown for 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions.

Jeers if …

The game is over in the first or second quarter. From a pure talent standpoint, the Jayhawks are significantly outgunned — especially on offense. But interim coach Clint Bowen has his team playing with energy and some added confidence. Hopefully, the Jayhawks should be past the all-out road blowouts of years past.

Three things about Baylor

1 Baylor has lost two starting offensive linemen for the season during the past two weeks. Right tackle Troy Baker (torn ACL) and right guard Desmine Hilliard (broken wrist) are out, and perhaps no coincidence, the Bears suffered their first loss of the season — a 41-27 setback at West Virginia — on Oct. 18.

2 The Bears are 21-3 in their last 24 games, the third-best mark in the country during that stretch — behind Florida State (23-1) and Michigan State (22-2). Baylor is also 26-3 at home over the last four-plus seasons.

3 McLane Stadium — Baylor’s first-year home — was designed by Kansas City-based architecture firm Populous and seats 45,140 people. The stadium sits along the Brazos river, just off Interstate 35.

Key matchup

Baylor rushing attack vs. the Kansas defense. Last time out, KU senior linebacker Ben Heeney had a career-high 21 tackles in a loss at Texas Tech. He’ll need to be that good again on Saturday. The Bears rank first in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game (229.1). The Jayhawks rank eighth in the conference in rushing defense, allowing 179.3 rushing yards per contest.

KANSAS OFFENSE

KANSAS DEFENSE

BAYLOR OFFENSE

BAYLOR DEFENSE

Rustin Dodd’s pick: Baylor 48-20

Junior quarterback Michael Cummings is starting his third straight game. After two respectable outings, he should be even more comfortable after a bye week. The KU offense might be able to scratch across a few touchdowns on the road. But the Baylor offense has too much firepower — especially at home in Waco.

Rustin Dodd, rdodd@kcstar.com

This story was originally published October 30, 2014 at 5:43 PM with the headline "Kansas-Baylor college football preview."