Kansas started the season 7-2 but is looking to finish the season strong after dropping two straight at home.
The Jayhawks (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) already are assured of playing in a bowl game for the second straight season as they prepare to face Cincinnati on Saturday at Nippert Stadium.
The Bearcats (3-7, 1-7) are hoping to end their inaugural Big 12 season on a positive note.
Kansas (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) at Cincinnati (3-7, 1-7), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. EST (ESPN2)
Line: Kansas by 6 1/2, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
Series record: Tied 1-1.
WHAT’S AT STAKE?
Kansas already has clinched a bowl appearance, marking just the second time in program history that the Jayhawks will play in a bowl in back-to-back seasons. Cincinnati is looking to end the season on a positive note. The Bearcats' lone Big 12 win came against former American Conference foe Houston.
KEY MATCHUP
Cincinnati will need to contain Kansas defensive tackle Austin Booker, who ranks second in the Big 12 with eight sacks.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Kansas: RB Devin Neal eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark last week with 138 yards and three touchdowns in the loss to Kansas State. Neal leads the Jayhawks with 1,103 yards and 13 touchdowns on 173 carries this season. The Bearcats allowed 424 yards on the ground in a 42-21 loss at West Virginia.
Cincinnati: TE Chamon Metayer, who caught a pair of touchdown passes in last week's loss at West Virginia, announced this week that he is entering the transfer portal. Metayer has 23 catches for 258 yards and five touchdowns heading into his final game in a Bearcats uniform.
FACTS & FIGURES
Kansas and Cincinnati are meeting for the third time. The Jayhawks won the inaugural matchup 23-18 in 1995, while the Bearcats won the most recent meeting, 34-7, in 1997. ... Bearcats RB Corey Kiner is 59 yards shy of becoming the 20th player in school history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. ... Cincinnati allowed an average of 159 passing yards over the past three games. ... Kansas’ offense is averaging 423 yards and 32 points per game.
