Offense: Entering the season, the offense was expected to be Kansas’ greatest strength. And why not? The Jayhawks returned a handful of proven playmakers, including senior quarterback Todd Reesing. But the offense has been inconsistent throughout the season and, in some games, the unit developed into a liability. That can’t happen against a Missouri team that has won two consecutive games.

Defense: One of the bright spots in Kansas’ current six-game losing streak was the defense’s continued improvement. Against Texas, though, the unit took a step backward. The Jayhawks routinely allowed the Longhorns to move the ball, and the secondary struggled heavily throughout the game. Senior safety Darrell Stuckey and the rest of Kansas’ secondary must play better against an improving Missouri offense.

Two questions: Will Kansas’ seniors play in their third consecutive bowl game?

The senior class has toppled records throughout their time in Lawrence. If the Jayhawks win — and subsequently earn a bowl berth — that would make three consecutive years with a postseason appearance. That has never been done at Kansas.

Will anyone show up?

The last two Border Showdowns have been well-attended events. This season could be different. With neither team turning in stellar seasons to this point, playing the game in Arrowhead Stadium could backfire with a small turnout.

Player to Watch: Senior quarterback Todd Reesing

Okay, so it’s always important to watch Reesing. But this could very well be his last game in a Kansas uniform. Reesing’s senior season hasn’t gone quite as expected, but he will still leave as one of the best quarterbacks in school history.

Momentum: Well, this one is pretty easy. Kansas enters Saturday with a six-game losing streak — the longest since coach Mark Mangino’s first season in 2002. Missouri, on the other hand, has won two consecutive games for the first time in conference play. The two teams are on vastly different ends of the spectrum.

Key to the game: Again, another simple answer: The Jayhawks must be able to run the ball. Without freshman running back Toben Opurum, who will not play because of an undisclosed leg or ankle injury, Kansas must still produce a reliable run option to keep Missouri’s defense honest.

Prediction: Kansas 31, Missouri 28

MISSOURI

Offense: Junior running back Derrick Washington provides speed in the running game, but let’s be honest: Missouri’s offense is led by senior receiver Danario Alexander. Relatively unheard of nationally, Alexander has a whopping 12 touchdowns on the year and averages 128.3 yards per game. Sophomore quarterback Blaine Gabbert has been prolific in his last four games and is improving in his decision-making.

Defense: Senior linebacker Sean Weatherspoon is a tackling machine. He has 101 tackles on the season, leading the Tigers with more than 30. Freshman defensive end Aldon Smith has been impressive in his first season for Missouri, recording 10 sacks. Missouri has a defense that bends but doesn’t break. But the Tigers also don’t make game-changing plays. They have just seven interceptions in 11 games.

Player to Watch: Senior receiver Danario Alexander

Mangino will likely be mum about his game plan to stop Alexander this week, but it is obvious something will have to change for the Jayhawks. Alexander has shown he can’t be stopped in single coverage, and at 6-foot-5, he can come down with jump balls against safeties. He has 413 receiving yards in his last two games.

Question Marks: What kind of game will coach Gary Pinkel want to play?

In a few games, he has let Gabbert toss the ball all over the field and left the running game by the wayside. Other games, he used Gabbert as more of a game manager and gave Washington lots of carries. Kansas’ defense has contained the run pretty well this season, so expect Gabbert to attack Kansas’ cornerbacks early and often.

What kind of attitude will Missouri take? Kansas needs a victory to have hopes of making a bowl game. Missouri? A victory might move the team up in the Big 12 Bowl pecking order, but other than that, not much is on the line. The game is still a rivalry though, so the Tigers will have lots of energy. With Kansas’ potential bowl berth on the line, the Tigers would love to end Kansas’ season.

— Edited by Lauren Cunningham