Kansas-Minnesota: The Complete Insight Bowl Guide

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Kansas (7-5) vs. Minnesota (7-5)

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2008, 6:00 PM ET

Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, AZ

Spread: Kansas -9

How they got here...

Although both teams finished the 2008 season with winning records—neither team will be satisfied leaving Tempe without a win.

Kansas finished the season on a high note, beating the Missouri Tigers in championship fashion, although there was no championship at stake. The Jayhawks played inspired football and were assured a victory with a last-play blocked field goal. And even though the Jayhawks lost five games, three of those were to Top 10 teams.

Minnesota started their season off running, winning eight of their first nine campaigns. The lone loss came to the Big Ten co-champion Ohio State Buckeyes. But the Golden Gophers would run out of room it seems, losing their final four games including a 55-0 romp at the hands of Iowa.

Statistically speaking...

Kansas, like other Big 12 teams, put up huge numbers on offense. They average just over 33 points-per-game, and are ranked seventh in total passing yards, lead by quarterback Todd Reesing.

Reesing, being overshadowed by three other Big 12 quarterbacks (I'm sure you know their names), completed 65.7 percent of his passing attempts, accumulating 3,575 yards. He also threw for 28 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

Minnesota trusted in their defense, mostly, in the first half of the season, but as mentioned earlier, this all fell apart. In the first six games, the Gophers defense only allowed 18.5 points-per-game, the last six they gave up over 28 points-per-game.

Offensively, Minnesota will look to their star wide receiver Eric Decker, who had 76 catches for 925 yards and six touchdowns. Throwing the ball to Decker is sophomore quarterback Adam Weber, who has a 128.55 rating with 2,585 yards in his second year as Minnesota's starter.

Kansas wins if...

...Todd Reesing takes advantage of playing on a day when the other Big 12 quarterbacks are watching. Reesing is as good of a quarterback as any in the country, and his aerial attack will prove to be the final nail in Minnesota's season.

Minnesota wins if...

...they forget about their last four games and just play ball. Minnesota won one single solitary game last year, and they've improved to seven this season. They've already made a huge difference in this program, and they can make more by just going out there and getting dirty on the Sun Devil field.

B/R Expert Picks:

Trey Bradley               Kansas

Lisa Horne                  Kansas

Mitch                         Kansas

Brian Scott                 Kansas

David Wunderlich         Kansas

Justin Goar                 Kansas

GeorgiaDawg               Kansas

Michael Cline               Kansas