GAME NOTES: Desperate to halt a losing streak that has reached four games, the Nebraska Cornhuskers travel to Lawrence for a Big 12 showdown with the eighth- ranked Kansas Jayhawks. The first three losses of the current skid for Nebraska all came by 22 or more points. While the Cornhuskers were much more competitive last weekend against Texas, the result was the same, a 28-25 loss to the Longhorns. They are now 1-4 in league play, and fans of the once proud program are in an uproar. Meanwhile, Kansas has seemingly emerged from the depths of the Big 12 to lead the league with a 4-0 record, and the program has won its first eight games overall for the first time in 98 years. Because of a scheduling quirk, the Jayhawks do not have to face either Oklahoma or Texas during the regular season, an obvious benefit as they pursue a perfect record. Make no mistake, however, any of the four remaining teams on the schedule, including Nebraska, has the talent to knock off Kansas. The Cornhuskers hold a commanding 88-22-3 series lead over the Jayhawks, including a 39-32 overtime victory last season.

Nebraska is racking up 424.8 total ypg, but the team's 26.4 ppg just haven't been enough. The ground attack has been fairly solid, albeit a far cry from the glory days when the Cornhuskers would impose their will on the opposition with a relentless ground attack. Marlon Lucky leads Nebraska with 832 rushing yards and six touchdowns, averaging 4.9 ypc. A truly versatile performer, Lucky has also made a team-high 55 catches for 429 yards and one touchdown. Sam Keller has taken almost every snap at quarterback, and he has completed 63.1 percent of his passes for 2,422 yards and 14 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. Keller threw a pair of touchdown passes to Nate Swift against Texas last weekend, but Nebraska's 25 points and 447 total yards weren't enough. Lucky gained 111 rushing yards, Keller threw for 298 yards, and Swift made six catches for 112 yards. Keller injured his shoulder in that game and is expected to miss the remainder of the season. Obviously, the offense will suffer without him, but the hope is backup Joe Ganz can step in and get the job done.

What happened to the blackshirts? That was the label given to the historically relentless Nebraska defense, a unit that would swarm to the football and intimidate the opposition simply by its presence on the field. Those days are over, as the Cornhuskers are allowing 31.4 ppg and 467.1 total ypg. Stopping the run has proven to be tremendously problematic, as Nebraska is permitting 242.6 ypg on 5.4 ypc. Of the 35 touchdowns that the defense has surrendered, 25 have been rushing scores. Also, big plays have been made through the air against the secondary. In last weekend's three-point loss to Texas, Nebraska allowed 25 straight points over the final 20 minutes en route to defeat. Texas finished that game with 25 first downs and 545 total yards, including 364 rushing yards. The Huskers surrendered touchdown runs of 25, 86 and 40 yards in the fourth quarter alone.

After scoring no fewer than 30 points in each of the first six games this season, including 45 or more points in five of those contests, Kansas has been held to 19 points in consecutive outings. Last weekend, the club posted a 19-11 decision over Texas A&M on the road, a statement win for the program. Kansas averages 42.5 ppg and 479.4 total ypg, sensational numbers by any standard. The Jayhawks have achieved tremendous balance, as their 38 offensive touchdowns have been split evenly between rushing and passing scores. With 215.0 rushing ypg and 264.4 passing ypg, Kansas has been able to do damage by both means of attack. Todd Reesing has completed 59.3 percent of his passes for 1,985 yards and 17 touchdowns against four interceptions. Rather than rely on one receiver, Reesing has done a great job of spreading the ball around. Brandon McAnderson leads the ground attack with 688 yards and nine touchdowns on an average of 6.9 ypc. As for Jake Sharp, he has posted 617 rushing yards and six scores. After back-to-back lackluster showings by the offense, Kansas will look to take advantage of the weak Nebraska defense.

Without question, Kansas has been one of the top defensive football teams in the nation this season. The Jayhawks are allowing only 10.2 ppg and 263.9 total ypg. They have been tremendous against the run, limiting foes to 77.5 ypg on 2.7 ypc. The pass defense has been equally strong, as opponents are averaging a mere 8.4 yards per completion. With 14 interceptions and eight fumble recoveries, Kansas has made a high number of impact plays. Joe Mortensen leads the defense with 73 total tackles, including 11 TFLs. The fact that the Jayhawks were able to limit Texas A&M to 74 rushing yards last week is remarkable. The Aggies scored just one touchdown with just over two minutes remaining in the contest.

There is no reason to believe that Nebraska will win this game. Pay no attention to the big red "N" on the helmet, as this group of Cornhuskers are failing to live up to tradition.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Kansas 27, Nebraska 14