The Kansas State Wildcats take on the Kansas Jayhawks in Lawrence, Kansas, on Saturday, Oct. 25. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET on TNT.
Kansas is favored by -3 points on the spread with a moneyline of -150. Kansas State, meanwhile, enters as a +3 underdog and is +125 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 56.5 points.
Here’s my Kansas State vs. Kansas prediction and college football picks for Saturday, October 25.
Kansas State vs Kansas Prediction, Preview
- Kansas State vs. Kansas Pick: Kansas -3
My Kansas vs. Kansas State best bet is on the Jayhawks to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page.
Kansas State vs Kansas Odds, Spread and Total
| Kansas State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+3.5 -118 | 55.5 -105o / -115u | +142 |
| Kansas Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-3.5 -102 | 55.5 -105o / -115u | -170 |
- Kansas State vs Kansas Spread: Kansas -3.5, Kansas State +3.5
- Kansas State vs Kansas Over/Under: 55.5
- Kansas State vs Kansas Moneyline: Kansas State ML +142, Kansas ML -170
Kansas State vs Kansas NCAAF Week 9 Preview
Kansas State Preview
While this matchup is an in-state rivalry, it's also a great barometer to see how good each program can be for the remainder of the season.
Kansas State comes into this game off a massive win against TCU.
The Wildcats pulled off the home upset by winning the turnover battle, 3-0, but were outgained by over 100 yards. The extra possessions helped them run more time off the clock, but they weren't exactly effective on the ground.
This week against Kansas, they profile for much more offensive success on the ground, as the Jayhawks rank 128th in yards per rush allowed.
However, their efficiency on the ground is a question mark. Running back Joe Jackson and quarterback Avery Johnson have combined to average just 4.1 yards per carry.
Additionally, Johnson has been average through the air, ranking 75th in completion percentage and 87th in yards per pass. Now, he faces a Kansas secondary that hasn't allowed many big pass plays.
So, if Kansas State can't pick up chunk gains on the ground, we may see some stalled drives here, as the Jayhawks should load the box and make Johnson beat them through the air.
Kansas Preview
We still need to learn more about these teams since the records don't exactly match the box scores. Last week, the Jayhawks were dominated on the ground and got nothing out of their own ground game.
However, that could change immensely, as Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels is primed for success. When he's had time to throw, he's been excellent, ranking 14th in yards per pass, 15th in completion percentage and seventh in interception rate.
He'll be up against a Kansas State secondary that was just shredded by TCU's Josh Hoover and is susceptible to big plays. In fact, the Wildcats rank just 82nd in yards per pass allowed.
The key for the Jayhawks will be to give Daniels time to throw, as sacks have plagued the offense despite his mobility.
Kansas State vs Kansas Pick, Best Bet
On paper, the Wildcats' ground-game advantage jumps out, especially after what we saw last week from the Kansas defense. Although, the market holding strong at a key number tells you how good this Kansas team can be.
The Jayhawks have a dynamic playmaker at quarterback who has the potential to wreck Kansas State's defense by himself. If they can grab a lead, it will be on Johnson to throw more, which only aids the Jayhawks defense.
Back Kansas to cover at home.
Pick: Kansas -3
Kansas vs Kansas State Channel, Start Time, Streaming
- Time: 12 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: TNT
- Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
