Kansas football takes on its in-state rival on Saturday in the Sunflower Showdown. Kansas State enters the game with a 3–4 overall record and a 2–2 mark in Big 12 Conference play, while the Kansas Jayhawks sit at 4–3 overall and also 2–2 in conference action. Both teams should be well-rested after each had a bye week. It has been 16 years since the Jayhawks took down the Wildcats in football. Here are three things to watch when Kansas attempts to break its Sunflower Showdown losing streak: 

Can Kansas Keep the Sold-Out Booth Bumping? 

The last two Sunflower Showdowns have been one-score games that come down to just a few plays. Having home-field advantage goes a long way in evenly matched rivalry games. David Booth, Kansas Memorial Stadium will be sold out, and if Kansas can start fast, the Booth will present an advantage.

Although the kickoff is set for 11 a.m. and the weather forecast suggests some rain, the Kansas fans should be ready to go. A hungry crowd that is ready for a long-awaited win over the Wildcats could be a big piece if the Jayhawks can start fast and keep the crowd excited. 

Can the Kansas Defense Step Up in the Run Game? 

The Kansas defense has struggled to stop the run this season. The Jayhawks rank 127th in the country in opponent rushing yards per game, giving up an average of 211 yards a game. With rain in the forecast, the Wildcats will likely rely on their run game to support the offense. If the Kansas defense wants to contribute to a rivalry win, stopping the run will be crucial. 

One thing that could help the Jayhawks’ rushing defense is the absence of Kansas State running back Dylan Edwards, who is one of the Wildcats' biggest weapons. Although Kansas State will be without its starting running back, quarterback Avery Johnson poses a rushing threat with 238 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. With Edwards missing the game and the weather suggesting a run-heavy game plan, the Kansas defense should be ready to stop the run. 

Can Jalon Daniels Continue His Hot Season and Conquer the Wildcats? 

This is Daniel's sixth and final season in the Kansas program. Of course, with the rivalry losing streak, he has never won the Sunflower Showdown. This is his last chance to defeat Kansas State, and he is playing the best football of his career this season. He has passed for 1,752 yards, 18 touchdowns, and just two interceptions, leading a successful offensive attack.

If Daniels can keep his momentum and stay hot, Kansas will have a good chance to break the streak. Daniels knows he needs to limit turnovers and said this week that the team needs to limit mistakes. It would be a storybook win in Daniels' final season as a Jayhawk, and he could be the X-factor the Jayhawks need to finally get over the Sunflower Showdown hump and beat the Wildcats for the first time in 16 years. 

The Jayhawks will have a chance to flip the script and win the football Sunflower Showdown for the first time in 16 seasons on Saturday. Kickoff against the Wildcats is set for 11 a.m. CT inside David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, and the game will be broadcast on TNT and streamed on HBO Max.