TCU, Kansas Face Major Concerns, Key Absences in Final Big 12 Injury Report

TCU is looking to shake off a heartbreaking loss to West Virginia and prevent any more scares in a Halloween showdown against Kansas.

The Horned Frogs outgained and seemingly outplayed the Mountaineers in every category expect the one that truly matters, as TCU turned the ball over late to seal its fate in a 24-20 defeat.

Despite the loss, TCU has looked like a much different team, especially on offense, in the weeks since its bye week and it will need that same edge facing the Jayhawks.

Kansas enters Fort Worth bearing a similar story this season to the Horned Frogs.

The Jayhawks are an identical 3-4 overall and have also gone 1-3 within the Big 12. If that was not similar enough, that lone conference win happened to be against Baylor, which mirrors TCU once again.

READ MORE: Kansas at TCU Preview: Are We Really Talking 'Bowl Game'?

Outside of record, Kansas has lost several of these games in close fashion, much like the Horned Frogs have throughout the year. While TCU has had worse luck with four one-score losses, the Jayhawks have still lost four within 17 points or less.

With a seemingly evenly matched contest, TCU needs to find any advantage to get an edge over the visiting Jayhawks.

However, the final injury report from the Big 12 may make that pursuit a bit harder for the hometown Horned Frogs.

TCU is set to be without nine of its members and two more Horned Frogs are game-time decisions.

None of these absences are more crushing than running back Jeremy Payne, who has been the primary workhorse out the backfield for TCU.

While he has yet to reach the heights of last season, Payne still provided quarterback Jaden Craig a reliable option to take the pressure of his shoulders and prevent the Horned Frogs from becoming one-dimensional.

But the Horned Frogs are not the only ones battling with injury struggles.

Kansas is without six of its players and three Jayhawks were listed as game-time decisions ahead of the 2:30 p.m. CT kickoff.

READ MORE: TCU Faces Halloween Showdown With Kansas as Bowl Hopes Hang in Balance

The biggest name that could be unavailable for Kansas is quarterback Isaiah Marshall, who has served as the primary starter under center for the Jayhawks.

In his seven prior starts, Marshall has racked up over 1,500 passing yards with 11 touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Without their leader on offense, the Jayhawks could take a nose dive in the hostile environment of Amon G. Carter Stadium.

In an already fairly even matchup, the injuries from both TCU and Kansas could throw another wrinkle in the game plan for the Horned Frogs in their quest for a massive win late in the season.