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The X-factor

The 2004 Jayhawks

Here on KUsports.com, we're taking Jayhawk football game previews to the next level by giving you the best possible look at each week's match up — a video game simulation.

Alright, maybe it's not the best possible way to do this, but it sure is going to be cool. And we got a new Xbox in our office in order to pull off this little stunt.

Each week KU has a game, we'll simulate that contest using EA Sports' NCAA Football 2005. We'll pit the Jayhawks against their real opponent, coming as close to weather, stadium and other pertinent situations as possible. The game will control each team, so as to not unfairly affect the outcome. Click here for our full methodology.

We'll then tell you everything that happened, just as if it were a real game, including a full box score, pictures (or screen captures, if you prefer) and video highlights. Too much, you might say? Pshaw, we reply. We don't think such a level as "too much" exists when it comes to covering the Jayhawks (even the virtual ones).

Week 1: Kansas 53, Tulsa 13

Like last season, the Kansas University football team started the 2004 campaign slowly. Unlike last year's opening loss to Northwestern, though, that tepid pace lasted just a quarter and a half against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane before the Jayhawks exploded for 41 unanswered points and cruised to a 53-13 virtual victory in the season opener at Memorial Stadium. Full story.

Week 2: Toledo 44, Kansas 26

One week after holding Tulsa to 374 yards and 13 points, the virtual Kansas University defense reverted to its 2003 form, giving up 570 yards in a 44-26 loss to the virtual University of Toledo. On the bright side for the Jayhawks, Clark Green rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns against the Rockets. On the other hand, Adam Barmann completed just 15 of 57 passes and threw three interceptions. Full story.

Week 3: Kansas 48, Northwestern 29

Before the real 2004 Kansas University football season started, head coach Mark Mangino said he thought freshman wide receiver Marcus Henry could be "an impact player" for the Jayhawks. In this week's X-Factor virtual simulation of the Jayhawks' game against the Northwestern Wildcats, Henry proved Mangino to be prophetic. Full story.

Week 4: Kansas 44, Texas Tech 37

Kansas University's virtual football team scored early and often in the first half against Texas Tech as the Jayhawks led the Red Raiders, 31-13, at halftime. Fortunately for the Jayhawks, they also scored late, winning the game, 44-37, on a last-minute touchdown pass from Adam Barmann to Gary Heaggans. Full story.

Week 5: Kansas 41, Nebraska 15

The Steak is virtually over. Kansas University's virtual football team ended 35 years of real-life frustration with a 41-15 victory over Nebraska in this week's X-Factor preview. The simulated road win made a nice bookend to the streak's beginning, as the Jayhawks' last victory over the Cornhuskers was a 23-13 win Oct. 12, 1968, in Lincoln, Neb. Full story.

Week 6: Kansas State 42, Kansas 10

For 30 minutes, it looked like the virtual Kansas University football team would end an 11-year losing streak to Kansas State, trailing just 14-10 at halftime. Just 12 minutes later, though, the Wildcats had taken a 35-10 lead, putting the Jayhawks out of the game and cruising the rest of the way to a 42-10 victory in this week's X-Factor simulation. Full story.

Week 7: Oklahoma 78, Kansas 33

Preparing to face Oklahoma's football team is one heck of a challenge. Do you try to stop star freshman running back Adrian Peterson? Or do you focus on reigning Heisman Trophy winner Jason White and his fleet of athletic receivers? Kansas University's virtual football team apparently decided to put their attention on stopping Peterson as White and crew put up huge numbers in OU's 78-33 victory in this week's X-Factor simulation. Full story.

Week 8: Iowa State 52, Kansas 31

Watch out, Kansas University students. It appears that you have an closet Iowa State fan in your midst, if this week's X-Factor simulation is any indication. First, a little background. After weeks of blowouts and incorrect predictions, the staff here at KUsports.com was looking for some way to make this simualtion at least a bit more realistic. Enter Justin Hume. This KU student sent us a list of changes to the default settings — including 10-minute quarters — that should make the score and stats more lifelike and "improve things a ton." Full story.

Week 9: Colorado 35, Kansas 21

Just like the the real-life Kansas University football team against Northwestern and Texas Tech, our virtual Jayhawks led Colorado at halftime in this week's X-Factor simulation. And just like those real-life games, the lead slipped away in the second half of a game that turned into a loss. This time, the virtual Buffaloes defeated the Jayhawks, 35-14. Full story.

Week 10: Texas 32, Kansas 31

After weeks and weeks of KU's virtual kicking game working like a finely oiled machine, Scott Webb missed two field goals against Texas, leaving the door open for the Longhorns to come from behind and defeat the Jayhawks, 32-31, in this week's X-Factor simulation. Webb missed two field goals — one late in the second quarter and another late in the fourth quarter — and Texas kicker Dusty Mangum hit a 27-yard field goal with just two seconds left for the win. Full story.

Week 11: Kansas 49, Missouri 35

Fresh off an unexpectedly great performance against Texas last week, Brian Luke kept up his hot play in this week's X-Factor virtual simulation against Missouri. With no fully healthy quarterback behind him on the depth chart, Luke completed 23 of 47 passes for 469 yards and five touchdowns in KU's 49-35 victory over MU in the final X-Factor of the season. Luke wasted no time in showing last week's game wasn't a fluke, leading KU on a six-play, 81-yard opening drive that culminated with a five-yard touchdown to Lyonel Anderson. Full story.