The Kansas Jayhawks (5-4) take on the Arizona Wildcats (5-3) in Tucson, Arizona, on Saturday, Nov. 8. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Arizona is favored by 5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -200. Kansas, meanwhile, enters as a +5 underdog and is +165 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 57.5 total points.
Here’s my Kansas vs. Arizona prediction and college football picks for Saturday, November 8.
Kansas vs Arizona Prediction, Betting Lines
- Kansas vs. Arizona Pick: Arizona -4.5
My Arizona vs. Kansas best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kansas vs Arizona Odds
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+5 -110 | 57.5 -110o / -110u | +165 |
| Arizona Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-5 -110 | 57.5 -110o / -110u | -200 |
- Kansas vs Arizona Spread: Arizona -5, Kansas +5
- Kansas vs Arizona Over/Under: 57.5 Points
- Kansas vs Arizona Moneyline: Kansas +165, Arizona -200
Kansas vs Arizona Preview
Why Kansas Will Win
It's been an up-and-down year for Kansas, but unfortunately for KU, it has fallen short in the biggest moments of the season to this point.
The Jayhawks had the lead late in Columbia against Missouri in the Border War and couldn't get a key stop. They had the lead late against Cincinnati in an early, pivotal Big 12 game and couldn't get a final stop.
Most recently, they laid an egg and couldn't snap the losing streak against Kansas State in a blowout loss in the Sunflower Showdown.
The defense has held this team back all year, which is a shame because the offense has been extremely consistent throughout.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels has been phenomenal in his final year in college, completing over 66% of his passes and tossing 20 touchdowns to just three interceptions.
He's also the team's third-leading rusher and has used his legs regularly to extend plays outside the pocket.
Running backs Daniel Hishaw Jr. and Leshon Williams have also been steady and should have some good chances for big gains on the ground in this matchup against Arizona.
The problem when breaking down this battle comes on the other side of the ball.
Head coach Lance Leipold's team doesn't do anything particularly well defensively, and Arizona can test it both through the air and on the ground.
The Jayhawks aren't generating any pressure against opposing quarterbacks, and the secondary continues to get carved up as a result.
Why Arizona Will Win
Arizona is a team that has flown a bit under the radar all season, but the Wildcats are quietly playing quality football.
Veteran quarterback Noah Fifita is one of the more underrated players in America, and just like Daniels, he has been sharp all year. Fifita has already eclipsed 2,000 passing yards and has been good for 21 touchdowns to just four interceptions.
The Wildcats dropped back-to-back gut-wrenching losses in mid-October, falling to undefeated BYU at home in double overtime, followed by a loss in the final seconds at Houston.
It was fair to wonder how this team would respond after those two blows, but credit to Brent Brennan and his staff.
Zona was idle the following week and then came out to Boulder with its hair on fire, beating Colorado by a score of 52-17.
Clearly, this team is still playing hard, and I expect that to translate now that it's back at home and hosting the Jayhawks.
There are matchup advantages across the board against the Kansas defense, so if Arizona can just generate some timely stops, it should have the ability to create a margin.
Spying Daniels will be very important, as the senior is often most dangerous when the play breaks down and he can get outside the pocket.
Kansas vs Arizona Picks, Best Bets
Arizona is a couple of plays away from being 7-1 and firmly alive in the Big 12 race. This is a good football team that appears to have found an extra gear after a recent bye week.
Kansas has struggled all year on the defensive end, and I don't see this game being any different against a very competent Wildcat offense.
The Jayhawks will get their fair share, but it won't be enough to keep pace with Arizona on its home turf.
Give me the Wildcats to win and cover at home against Kansas.
Pick: Arizona -4.5
Kansas vs Arizona Betting Trends
