Kansas vs Kansas State Odds, Picks, Predictions (11/26/22)

Kansas visits Kansas State in the latest matchup in the Sunflower Showdown. Kansas is coming off a blowout loss to Texas, while Kansas State blew out West Virginia on the other side. This should be an interesting matchup because this is the most relevant game in this rivalry in a long time for both sides. Let’s take a look at the odds and make some picks and predictions for this game!

Kansas vs. Kansas State Odds

Kansas State is an 11.5-point home favorite against Kansas and is at -450 on the money line. The over/under is also at 62.5. Kansas State being favored by this much makes sense because they are the home team, and after how both teams looked last week. The over/under also makes sense because where Kansas has improved a lot is on offense, while Kansas State can score a lot too. This line should stay where it is but it could go down a beat to single digits.

Kansas vs. Kansas State Prediction & Pick

The Pick: Kansas State -11.5

Kansas State has established itself as the second best team in the Big 12 behind TCU. The offense has been very efficient, and the defense has been very good. The key on offense is what they can do on the ground because Adrian Martinez isn’t going to play and he adds an extra dimension to their ground game in the back field with Deuce Vaughn. The defense should be the deciding factor here and they allow 19 points and 362 total yards a game on the year. Kansas has been one of the best stories in all of college football this year. Lance Leipold brought this program back from the depths of where it was just two years ago.

The biggest strength for the Jayhawks is how good they’ve been on offense this year. Their starting quarterback, Jalon Daniels, is finally back after an injury, which helps a ton. The offense averages 35 points and 435 total yards a game on the year. The Jayhawks defense has not been good at all this year, and is what is holding them back. The Wildcats are the play here because they’re more of a complete team and have the ability to take advantage of a bad Kansas defense at home.

Kansas vs. Kansas State Key Matchups

Can Kansas contain Deuce Vaughn? Can Kansas State slow down Jalon Daniels?

Deuce Vaughn vs the Kansas Front Seven

Deuce Vaughn might be the most electric player in the Big 12. He has 220 carries, 1,148 rushing yards, and six rushing touchdowns on the year. He lacks size, but he is just a playmaker whenever he has the ball in his hands. Kansas is very bad against the run on defense and allows 191 rushing yards a game. Vaughn has the ability to really take advantage of this defense because they’ve struggled so much at times. If Deuce Vaughn has a big game here, then Kansas State is going to run away with this game, regardless of if Kansas can score.

Jalon Daniels vs the Kansas State Secondary

Jalon Daniels has been electric for Kansas, but got injured and couldn’t play the whole season. He finally came back this past week after getting injured in Week 5. He has 1,302 passing yards, 13 passing touchdowns, two interceptions, and he has a 66% completion percentage on the year. Daniels came back last week against Texas and played okay at best, while Kansas got blown out overall. Kansas State is decent against the pass and allows 217 passing yards a game, so it’ll be a tough matchup for Daniels. Daniels needs to play well against this Kansas State defense if Kansas has any chance of pulling the upset, let alone stay in the game at all.