Buffs thinking upset
Kansas is off to its best start in 12 years. It’s been that long since it has won at Colorado.
The 15th-ranked Jayhawks look to remain undefeated by snapping a five-game road losing streak to the Buffaloes on Saturday in a matchup of two of the top three teams in the Big 12 North.
Kansas (6-0, 2-0) pounded Baylor 58-10 at home last Saturday to remain one of six unbeaten teams in the Football Bowl Subdivision. The Jayhawks, who are 13th in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings, will play with their highest ranking since finishing the 1995 season at No. 9.
A Kansas victory in this game would give the school its best start since that 1995 team opened 7-0. That will be a challenge for a Jayhawks program that hasn’t won at Colorado since a 40-24 victory on Oct. 7, 1995.
"It will be another test for us, as is every week," said Kansas running back Jake Sharp, who rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries against Baylor. "The Buffaloes have a great football team and we are excited to go down there and play on their home turf."
Kansas will try for consecutive victories over Colorado (4-3, 2-1) for the first time since 1980-81 after a 20-15 home win last season snapped a five-game losing streak to the Buffaloes.
Oddsmakers from SBG Global have made Kansas -3.5 point spread favorites (View College Football odds) for Thursday’s game (Game Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 62% of bets for this game have been placed on Kansas -3.5 (View College Football bet percentages).
About the only thing that could have derailed the Jayhawks last weekend was the lightning and heavy rain that delayed their game a total of over two hours.
Todd Reesing was 14-for-31 for 186 yards and two touchdowns as the Jayhawks topped their 50.3 scoring average for the fourth time. Only Hawaii is averaging more points at 52.1 per contest.
Defensively, Kansas hopes for another dominating performance after holding Baylor to 202 total yards, including 48 on the ground. The Jayhawks allowed 53 rushing yards in a 30-24 victory at Kansas State on Oct. 6.
"They are sitting here at 6-0," Baylor coach Guy Morriss said. "The thing about Kansas is they play hard and they absolutely do not beat themselves."
Kansas hopes Reesing will have another big day like he did in 2006 against the Buffaloes.
The sophomore, who has thrown for 1,652 yards with 16 TDs and four interceptions this season, made his collegiate debut off the bench versus Colorado last October 28. He threw two TD passes and ran for a score while leading the Jayhawks to 20 second-half points.
He can set a school record Saturday by throwing a touchdown in seven straight games.
Colorado looks to bounce back from a 47-20 loss at Kansas State last Saturday in which it allowed 463 total yards and gave up its most points of the season. The defeat dropped the Buffaloes into a tie with the Wildcats for second place in the Big 12 North, one half-game behind Kansas.
"You just have to look at everything, take everything in," Colorado cornerback Terrence Wheatley said. "This (loss) is going to stay with us for awhile, but we are going to use it for future games."
The Buffaloes, who gave up a season-high 249 yards on the ground last weekend, have allowed 928 total yards their last two games, which included a 43-23 win at Baylor on Oct. 6.
Saturday will be Colorado’s first home game since it upset then-No. 3 Oklahoma 27-24 on Sept. 29.
Hugh Charles rushed for a career-high 171 yards and a TD on 22 carries last Saturday, but quarterback Cody Hawkins threw three interceptions.
Charles, who averages 6.1 yards per carry, looks to top 100 yards for a fifth straight contest. He has rushed for 167 yards and three touchdowns on 34 carries in three games against Kansas.
by: Staff Writers – Email Us
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