Kansas-Baylor football preview capsule

The Bears are trying to get back over .500 all-time on homecoming. Baylor, among the first schools nationally to have homecoming when it debuted in Waco in 1909, is 39-39-4 on homecoming, including 1-0 against Kansas. The Jayhawks are trying to snap a 16-game conference losing streak. They thought they had snapped the skid last week, but Texas converted a fourth down on a game-winning drive to a touchdown with 12 seconds left.

KEY MATCHUP

Baylor offense vs. Kansas defense. The Bears rank first nationally in passing offense and third in total offense, while the biggest upgrade for the improved Kansas defense is against the pass. The Jayhawks are up to fourth in the Big 12 and rank 58th nationally in passing defense. Kansas held Oklahoma State nearly 300 yards below its season average for total offense.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kansas RB James Sims has rushed for more than 100 yards in four straight games, the first Kansas back to do that since Tony Sands in 1991. He had a career-high 176 yards against Texas and is now one of 11 Jayhawks with more than 2,000 career rushing yards.

Baylor LBs Bryce Hager and Ahmad Dixon are two of the top three tacklers in the Big 12, despite the Bears' otherwise dreadful defense. Hager, the son of former Texas linebacker Britt Hager, averages 10 tackles per game, top in the league and 19th nationally. Dixon is third in the Big 12 at 9.6 per game.