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Bowl Record (3-3)
KANSAS JAYHAWKS @ HOUSTON COUGARS +3.5
Kansas (6-5, 3-5 BIG 12) at Houston (6-5, 4-4 C-USA) @ 8:00 PM EST *ESPN
GAME NOTES: A couple of teams with identical records meet in the Forth Worth Bowl on December 23rd, as the Kansas Jayhawks do battle with the Houston Cougars from Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Jayhawks slipped into the postseason thanks to a thrilling 24-21 overtime victory over Iowa State in their regular season finale. The victory gave the team the required six wins to become bowl eligible and this is KU's second postseason appearance in the last three years. Overall, Kansas has played in nine bowl games, going 3-6. The Jayhawks, however, have won two of their last three postseason bouts and are 1-1 in bowl games played in the Lone Star State. As for Houston, it was in the same boat as Kansas as it needed a 35-18 victory over Rice in the regular season finale to earn bowl eligibility. This will be the second time in three years the Cougars are participating in a bowl game and the 16th time overall. The school owns a 7-7-1 bowl record, including a 4-4-1 mark in games played in Texas. Houston and Kansas have met on just two other occasions, with the Jayhawks winning both meetings in 1994 and 1995.
The main thing that has kept Kansas from enjoying an even more successful season is its offense, which is averaging just 20.6 ppg and only 310.7 total ypg. The team's ground attack hasn't been too successful in terms of picking up yards (128.2 ypg), although it has accounted for 15 touchdowns. The air attack, on the other hand, is generating 182.5 ypg, but has posted just nine scores against a whopping 19 interceptions. Quarterbacks Brian Luke and Jason Swanson have split the workload this season, but neither has had much success. Luke has thrown for 934 yards with six touchdowns and eight picks, while Swanson has 916 yards and three scores against 10 interceptions. With the inconsistent play under center, Mark Simmons' mere 39 catches and three receiving touchdowns lead the team. As for the ground attack, the duo of Jon Cornish and Clark Green have done their best. Although Cornish has carried the ball 26 fewer times than Green, he leads the team with 679 yards and nine scores. Green is a close second with 641 yards, but has just two touchdowns to his credit.
On the defensive side of the ball is where the Jayhawks really made a name for themselves this year, limiting their opponents to just 22.8 ppg and only 308.6 total ypg. The team was simply outstanding against the run this season, allowing a mere 88.1 ypg on the ground and just seven scores. The unit, however, is a bit vulnerable versus the pass, giving up 220.5 ypg through the air and 20 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. While the unit surrendered too many yards through the air, it did a solid job in getting to opposing quarterbacks, logging 28 sacks. Nick Reid highlighted the Jayhawks' defense during the regular season and he was recently named the 2005 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The senior LB led all Big 12 defenders with an average of 9.6 tackles per game and he also recorded 15 TFLs and three sacks. Another player worth noting is Charlton Keith, who set a school record with 21 TFLs. He also ranked second on the club in sacks (nine) and fifth in total tackles (53).
Unlike Kansas, Houston has thrived on the offensive side of the ball this season, averaging 29.5 ppg behind an impressive 456.5 total ypg. The team really developed a strong ground game as the season wore on and is rushing for 178.8 ypg. The Cougars have also had success through the air, passing for 277.6 ypg behind the accurate arm of Kevin Kolb. The third-year starter is having another solid season and has thrown for 3,044 yards in 11 games. He is completing 62.2 percent of his throws and has 19 touchdowns passes against 12 touchdowns. Kolb is also dangerous with his legs and ranks third on the team with 192 rushing yards and four scores. His main target has clearly been Vincent Marshall, who has posted 69 receptions for 927 yards and six scores. He was recently named to the All-Conference USA First Team along with fellow teammate Ryan Gilbert. As a senior, Gilbert took over the starting RB role in the middle of the season and was the main reason for the team's success on the ground. He has rushed for 1,030 yards and nine scores this year, posting an average of 6.4 ypc.
Defensively, Houston has been vulnerable at times this season and is giving up 25.6 ppg and 384.6 total ypg. The team has struggled against the run (175.4 ypg) as well as the pass (209.3 ypg), with 17 of its 29 touchdowns surrendered coming through the air. The Cougars have also had little success getting to opposing quarterbacks, as they have just 16 sacks in 11 games. On a positive note, the team has forced 23 turnovers, including 12 interceptions. Rocky Schwartz has been the team's most consistent defender this season and he leads the club with 106 stops. Wade Koehl has also had a nice season, as he heads the Cougars in TFLs (14) and sacks (four), in addition to ranking third in total stops (85).
It should be an interesting game, as Houston's high-powered offense meets KU's stingy defense. The Cougars get the edge playing closer to home and with a big game through the air by Kolb, they should prevail in a hotly-contested battle.
KANSAS JAYHAWKS @ HOUSTON COUGARS +3.5
Kansas (6-5, 3-5 BIG 12) at Houston (6-5, 4-4 C-USA) @ 8:00 PM EST *ESPN
GAME NOTES: A couple of teams with identical records meet in the Forth Worth Bowl on December 23rd, as the Kansas Jayhawks do battle with the Houston Cougars from Amon G. Carter Stadium. The Jayhawks slipped into the postseason thanks to a thrilling 24-21 overtime victory over Iowa State in their regular season finale. The victory gave the team the required six wins to become bowl eligible and this is KU's second postseason appearance in the last three years. Overall, Kansas has played in nine bowl games, going 3-6. The Jayhawks, however, have won two of their last three postseason bouts and are 1-1 in bowl games played in the Lone Star State. As for Houston, it was in the same boat as Kansas as it needed a 35-18 victory over Rice in the regular season finale to earn bowl eligibility. This will be the second time in three years the Cougars are participating in a bowl game and the 16th time overall. The school owns a 7-7-1 bowl record, including a 4-4-1 mark in games played in Texas. Houston and Kansas have met on just two other occasions, with the Jayhawks winning both meetings in 1994 and 1995.
The main thing that has kept Kansas from enjoying an even more successful season is its offense, which is averaging just 20.6 ppg and only 310.7 total ypg. The team's ground attack hasn't been too successful in terms of picking up yards (128.2 ypg), although it has accounted for 15 touchdowns. The air attack, on the other hand, is generating 182.5 ypg, but has posted just nine scores against a whopping 19 interceptions. Quarterbacks Brian Luke and Jason Swanson have split the workload this season, but neither has had much success. Luke has thrown for 934 yards with six touchdowns and eight picks, while Swanson has 916 yards and three scores against 10 interceptions. With the inconsistent play under center, Mark Simmons' mere 39 catches and three receiving touchdowns lead the team. As for the ground attack, the duo of Jon Cornish and Clark Green have done their best. Although Cornish has carried the ball 26 fewer times than Green, he leads the team with 679 yards and nine scores. Green is a close second with 641 yards, but has just two touchdowns to his credit.
On the defensive side of the ball is where the Jayhawks really made a name for themselves this year, limiting their opponents to just 22.8 ppg and only 308.6 total ypg. The team was simply outstanding against the run this season, allowing a mere 88.1 ypg on the ground and just seven scores. The unit, however, is a bit vulnerable versus the pass, giving up 220.5 ypg through the air and 20 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions. While the unit surrendered too many yards through the air, it did a solid job in getting to opposing quarterbacks, logging 28 sacks. Nick Reid highlighted the Jayhawks' defense during the regular season and he was recently named the 2005 Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. The senior LB led all Big 12 defenders with an average of 9.6 tackles per game and he also recorded 15 TFLs and three sacks. Another player worth noting is Charlton Keith, who set a school record with 21 TFLs. He also ranked second on the club in sacks (nine) and fifth in total tackles (53).
Unlike Kansas, Houston has thrived on the offensive side of the ball this season, averaging 29.5 ppg behind an impressive 456.5 total ypg. The team really developed a strong ground game as the season wore on and is rushing for 178.8 ypg. The Cougars have also had success through the air, passing for 277.6 ypg behind the accurate arm of Kevin Kolb. The third-year starter is having another solid season and has thrown for 3,044 yards in 11 games. He is completing 62.2 percent of his throws and has 19 touchdowns passes against 12 touchdowns. Kolb is also dangerous with his legs and ranks third on the team with 192 rushing yards and four scores. His main target has clearly been Vincent Marshall, who has posted 69 receptions for 927 yards and six scores. He was recently named to the All-Conference USA First Team along with fellow teammate Ryan Gilbert. As a senior, Gilbert took over the starting RB role in the middle of the season and was the main reason for the team's success on the ground. He has rushed for 1,030 yards and nine scores this year, posting an average of 6.4 ypc.
Defensively, Houston has been vulnerable at times this season and is giving up 25.6 ppg and 384.6 total ypg. The team has struggled against the run (175.4 ypg) as well as the pass (209.3 ypg), with 17 of its 29 touchdowns surrendered coming through the air. The Cougars have also had little success getting to opposing quarterbacks, as they have just 16 sacks in 11 games. On a positive note, the team has forced 23 turnovers, including 12 interceptions. Rocky Schwartz has been the team's most consistent defender this season and he leads the club with 106 stops. Wade Koehl has also had a nice season, as he heads the Cougars in TFLs (14) and sacks (four), in addition to ranking third in total stops (85).
It should be an interesting game, as Houston's high-powered offense meets KU's stingy defense. The Cougars get the edge playing closer to home and with a big game through the air by Kolb, they should prevail in a hotly-contested battle.