Kansas City, MO -- (Sports Network) - Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City will be the site of this weekend's showdown between the 12th-ranked Missouri Tigers and the Kansas Jayhawks. This rivalry game is the second most played in the nation and Kansas holds a 54-39-9 all-time advantage over Missouri, although the Tigers have won the last two meetings.

The Jayhawks opened the 2008 season with five victories in their first six games and appeared to be legitimate contenders in the Big 12. Unfortunately, Kansas has lost four of its last five since that point, including the last two. The Jayhawks have been idle since November 15th when they were crushed by Texas, 35-7, in front of the home crowd in Lawrence.

Missouri has already clinched a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game against an opponent that has yet to be determined. The Tigers appeared to be legitimate national title contenders early on, but back-to-back losses to Oklahoma State and Texas on the road crushed that dream. Missouri has won its last four outings, including a 52-20 romp over Iowa State.

Kansas junior quarterback Todd Reesing is listed at just 5-11, but he is probably two or three inches shorter than that generous measurement. While he may lack ideal height, Reesing is a major threat with the ball in his hand. He has completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 3,200 yards and 24 touchdowns against 10 interceptions. Reesing has also run for four scores and is unafraid to pick up tough yards on the ground despite his lack of bulk. Jake Sharp has rushed for 748 yards and 10 touchdowns, while Kerry Meier has hauled in 73 receptions for 826 yards and five scores. Both players were banged up last time out, but neither injury is considered serious. Dezmon Briscoe is a major threat on the outside, as he has racked up 1,091 yards and 11 touchdowns on 69 grabs.

The only touchdown that Kansas scored against Texas last time out was a seven- yard pass from Reesing to Dexton Fields. The Jayhawks managed just 47 rushing yards on 24 attempts, putting added pressure on Reesing. He completed 25-of-50 passes for 258 yards and one touchdown with no interceptions. When asked why the offense was ineffective, Reesing said the following: "There are a lot of reasons. There are a lot of things. You can't point a finger on one thing as to why we didn't move the ball or get the ball in the end zone."

Kansas is limiting its opponents to 28.8 ppg on 395.3 total ypg, and the team has faced many potent offenses in the loaded Big 12. The Jayhawks are surrendering 3.9 rushing ypc and 120.9 rushing ypg. Unfortunately, the pass defense hasn't been nearly as strong, as foes have been able to throw for 274.4 ypg against Kansas with 22 touchdowns against 11 interceptions. With 23 sacks and 22 takeaways, the Jayhawks have done a solid job of producing big plays. On a down note, they are allowing opponents to make good on 41 percent of their third down conversion attempts. James Holt leads Kansas in tackles with 91 total stops, and he has registered 14.5 TFLs, six sacks and six forced fumbles.

The Jayhawks yielded five touchdowns and 421 total yards to Texas. While the defense was completely embarrassed, it was obvious that the unit was a bit overmatched. "Our defense, especially in the first half, played well throughout the whole game," said Kansas head coach Mark Mangino. "They gave us opportunities. We got good field position, we got several three-and-outs, and we got turnovers."

Early on this season, no team garnered more national headlines than Missouri. Since the two losses, it seems as if the Tigers are a forgotten club, but the offense is still as explosive as any group in the nation. Missouri is scoring 45.7 ppg to go along with 512.3 total ypg, and the club has racked up 59 offensive touchdowns. Chase Daniel, the team's quarterback, has been tremendous as expected. He has completed 76.5 percent of his passes for 3,592 yards and 30 touchdowns against 11 interceptions in 11 outings. Jeremy Maclin, the club's versatile weapon, has caught 79 passes for 1,052 yards and 10 scores. He has also run for two scores and returned a kickoff for a touchdown. As for the ground attack, Derrick Washington has racked up 909 yards and 16 touchdowns.

In the romp over Iowa State last time out, Washington posted 128 yards and two touchdowns. As for Daniel, he completed 32-of-40 passes for 328 yards and two scores, and Jimmy Jackson pitched in a pair of rushing scores. Maclin hauled in eight receptions for 103 yards and one score. "We always play our best games going off bye weeks," said Daniel, looking forward to this weekend's clash.

Opponents are generating 23.3 ppg against Missouri, which is allowing 392.7 total ypg. The Tigers are limiting foes to 3.5 rushing yards per carry, but they haven't been nearly as effective against the pass. Their opponents have thrown for 20 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions. Sean Weatherspoon has clearly been the top defender on the Missouri roster, as he has racked up 119 total tackles, including 15.5 TFLs. Weatherspoon, who has 4.5 sacks, has recorded three interceptions and forced a pair of fumbles.

Missouri yielded 444 total yards to Iowa State last time out, including 326 passing yards. Fortunately, the Tigers came up with a pair of interceptions and limited Iowa State to 20 points despite the fact that the Cyclones held the ball for nearly 35 minutes. When asked if the Tigers are looking ahead to the Big 12 Championship Game, linebacker Brock Christopher said, "No. Enough guys on this team know the Kansas game and how big it is to the state of Missouri, to our players and the University."