Kansas is hosting Kansas State for a Week 9 matchup on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. ET in Lawrence, Kansas.
The Jayhawks are listed as 3.5-point home favorites on DraftKings Sportsbook, with the total set at 56.5 points. Below is my full preview, prediction, and best bet for the Sunflower Showdown.
Kansas State vs. Kansas prediction, preview
Kansas State Preview
The Wildcats have had a rollercoaster of a start to their season. After losing their season opener to Iowa State in Dublin, the team spiraled and stacked losses. However, since a much-needed bye week, they are 2-1, with the lone loss coming by one point to Baylor. Kansas State has been playing better the past three weeks. While their Big 12 title hopes are likely dead, the Wildcats can still end the season strong and get to a bowl game. Most importantly, this Sunflower Showdown game means everything to these teams. Even if they were the worst teams in the country, both teams would desperately want to win this. Kansas State has dominated the matchup over the past two decades. The Wildcats have won 16 straight Sunflower Showdowns, the longest winning streak in the history of the rivalry game.
Kansas Preview
The Kansas football season has been much more straightforward than that of its in-state rivals. Kansas has played four unranked teams and beaten all four. The Jayhawks have played three ranked teams, Missouri, Cincinnati and Texas Tech, and lost all three of those games. The level of this Kansas team is clear. Jalon Daniels is a good, experienced quarterback who can put up points against almost anyone. However, Kansas has major issues on the defensive side of the ball, which can be exploited by any high-level offense.
Kansas State vs. Kansas pick, best bet
My best bet for this game is the Kansas team total over 29.5 points. This Kansas team desperately wants to win a Sunflower Showdown. Despite Lance Leipold turning this program around, he still has not been able to beat their biggest rivals. Kansas will pull every possible trick out of the bag to try to get points on the board. The Jayhawks have one of the most explosive offenses in the country, scoring over 30 points in five out of seven games this season. They had a bye week after their loss to Texas Tech, so they will be well-rested and prepared for this rivalry game. Kansas State ranks 75th in the country in defensive EPA/play, so Jalon Daniels should move the ball against them with ease. Kansas has been able to score against everybody besides the elite Texas Tech defense. After a bye week in a highly motivated spot, they should score at least 30 points.
