No. 11 Texas faces Kansas with Big 12 title berth at stake

Published

No. 11 Texas (8-3, 6-2 Big 12, No. 14 CFP) at Kansas (3-8, 1-7), Friday, noon EST (FS1)

Line: Texas by 15

Series record: Texas leads 14-3

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Texas can clinch a spot in the Big 12 title game by beating the Jayhawks. It's the first time the Longhorns have played a game the day after Thanksgiving outside of Texas since 1934, when they played Arkansas.

KEY MATCHUP

Texas QB Sam Ehlinger against the Kansas defense. Ehlinger hurt his shoulder in last week's win over Iowa State, but coach Tom Herman was hopeful that he would be able to play against the Jayhawks. Ehlinger initially hurt his shoulder against Baylor in October but has started every game this season. Shane Buechele was 10 of 10 for 89 yards and a touchdown in relief of him against the Cyclones.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Texas: LWR il'Jordan Humphrey had 70 catches for 1,033 yards and eight touchdowns, joining Jordan Shipley, Quan Cosby, Roy Williams and Wane McGarity as the only Longhorns with at least 1,000 yards receiving and eight TDs in a season.

Kansas: RB Pooka Williams ran for 252 yards and two TDs last week against Oklahoma. The freshman from Louisiana has been one of the few bright spots for the Jayhawks, and he could be one of the guys new coach Les Miles counts on going forward.

FACTS & FIGURES

Kansas upset Texas 24-21 in their last meeting in Lawrence on Nov. 19, 2016. That ended a streak of 13 straight wins by the Longhorns. ... Ehlinger has thrown for 2,620 yards and 21 touchdowns this season. He also has 375 yards rushing and 10 TDs. ... Ehlinger has attempted a school- and Big 12-record 295 straight passes without an interception. ... Humphrey is the first Texas WR since Mike Davis in 2012 with 100 yards receiving in back-to-back games. ... Williams has 1,022 yards rushing this season, making him the first Jayhawk to surpass 1,000 yards since James Sims ran for 1,110 in 2013. ... Williams also threw a touchdown pass last week against Oklahoma. ... Jayhawks coach David Beaty will be coaching his final game. He is 6-31 as he finishes his fourth season.