While Minnesota certainly fields a servicable defense it is unlikely they have faced a spread offense with this kind of firepower all year.  I expect Todd Reesing and a hopefully healthy receiving corps to move the ball well and I also anticipate the Jayhawk running attack to be fairly effective against the #70 ranked Minnesota run defense.

KU Offense vs. Minnesota Defense

Minnesota has done a fairly solid job in terms of turnovers and backfield penetration.  If they can use those two things to disrupt the Jayhawks rythm they have a chance in this matchup

Will Minnesota run the spread or will they try a power running attack as has been rumored.  Either way here again I expect Kansas' experience in the tougher Big 12 conference to pay dividends.  Kansas has played against far tougher spreads and if Minnesota wants to try and be a running team by all means I'll take the Kansas defense against the 104th ranked rushing offense any day.

KU Defense vs. Minnesota Offense

Ranked 92nd in total offense, 104th in rushing offense and 82nd in scoring offense the Gophers will be the weakest offensive team Kansas has played in sometime.

Kansas get's the edge here only if Briscoe remains at the return spot.  If he does that combined with our kickers getting a warm weather game for the first time in a long time it could be a decent showing.

Special Teams

Truthfully Minnesota probably deserves the edge here, they have been solid but not great in this area throughout the year.

Mangino has consistently had his team prepared for bowl games and the staff at KU treats this as a game that is very important to the program.  I expect KU will appear to be the better coached and more poised team and win for the 3rd straight time in a bowl game.

Coaching

No doubt Brewster is a solid coach and has a bright future with the Gophers but he hasn't proven anything to date in his young head coaching career.