Bowl Breakdown: Fort Worth No. 11 Kansas (6-5) vs. Houston (6-5) Dec. 23, 8:30 p.m. (ESPN) Amon G. Carter Stadium (44,003) Fort Worth, Texas

SI.com's Cory McCartney analyzes the matchup.

Breaking down Kansas

All-Big 12 defensive end Charlton Keith (right), led the conference with 1.68 tackles-for-loss per game. AP

Defensively, not many teams are better than the Jayhawks. Linebacker Nick Reid and defensive end Charlton Keith lead a unit that's ranked 19th in the nation in total defense and is third against the run. But the offense has been missing in action all season; Kansas averages just 310 yards per game, 102nd in the nation.

Jason Swanson, who was intercepted 10 times and threw just three touchdown passes, will remain the Jayhawks' starting quarterback -- even after Brian Luke rallied the team to its bowl-clinching win over Iowa State. KU's most dynamic player, cornerback/receiver/punt returner Charles Gordon, may miss the game with a shoulder injury.

Breaking down Houston

The Cougars are everything that Kansas isn't -- on both sides of the ball. Offensively, Houston is 14th in the nation, averaging 456.5 yards a game behind quarterback Kevin Kolb, who has thrown for 3,034 yards and 19 touchdowns. While Kolb may be one of the nation's top passers, he's also one of its most erratic; he's thrown 12 interceptions and can be forced into making bad plays.

Houston's wide-open offense is at its best when it can find a balance, and that will be pivotal against a tough Kansas defense. That means getting Ryan Gilbert, who ran for 1,030 yards and nine touchdowns, the ball early and often. Kolb & Co. must take pressure off a Cougars defense that has given up 384.6 yards a game.

Final Analysis

This is a big game in the new-look Conference USA's search for respect, but the Jayhawks' defense will give Houston's wide-open attack fits. Kansas held pass-happy Nebraska to 138 total yards and kept Texas Tech 131 yards below its season average.

The Pick: Kansas 20, Houston 14.