One of the real pleasures of writing about college football betting during these troubled times is being able to analyze the Kansas Jayhawks.
If I can provide some positivity by researching a team that has suffered 50 consecutive losses in true conference road games, then I know I’m contributing something valuable. With that in mind, let’s hear something inspirational from Jayhawks Head Coach Les Miles after a 47-14 trashing at Baylor:
"I don't like finishing second. It isn't fun, but sometimes…that’s just the way it goes. You end up second.” I’m going cross-stitch that quote into a pillow or something.
Thankfully, the Jayhawks are back home on Saturday, but they’re very likely to finish second again as 21-point underdogs to the Oklahoma State Cowboys. Here are our best NCAA football picks and predictions for No. 17 Oklahoma State vs. Kansas on Saturday, October 3 with kickoff set for 3:30 ET.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs Kansas Jayhawks betting preview
Weather
It’s going to be gross in Lawrence on Saturday. There will be cloudy skies and a high of 66 with a 59 percent chance of rain. Winds will be blowing out of the southwest at 7 mph. Be sure to monitor the gametime conditions with our NCAA football weather info.
Key Injuries
Oklahoma State: Spencer Sanders QB (Questionable), Cole Birmingham OL (Questionable), Collin Clay DT (Out).
Kansas: Thomas MacVittie QB (Questionable), Jack Luavasa TE (Questionable).
Find our latest NCAA football injury reports.
Betting trend to know
The Cowboys are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games against Kansas. Find more NCAA football betting trends for Oklahoma State vs. Kansas.
Against the spread (ATS) pick
Most impressive about Oklahoma State’s win over West Virginia last week is that it got the job done with a backup quarterback, True freshman Shane Illingworth filled in against the Mountaineers by going 19/26 for 219 yards, but he leaned primarily on star running back Chuba Hubbard, who rushed for more than 100 yards for the 12th time in 13 games. Starting signal-caller Spencer Sanders practiced with the Cowboys on Sunday and should be in line to return.
Sooooo about Kansas. They’ve already switched quarterbacks, going from Miles Kendrick in Game 1 to Jalon Daniels in Game 2, and the difference was negligible. The Jayhawks have had trouble putting up points, and their defense has given up 85 points in two games.
Kansas is 0-2 against the number thus far, and Sanders likely returning will make the challenge even more difficult.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma State -21 (-110)
Over/Under pick
It’s tempting to go with the Over in this spot because Kansas hasn’t been able to stop anyone.
However, I think this total is a bit inflated: the Jayhawks gave up two touchdowns on special teams returns last week, and if they can clean that up, then this game stays below the number.
The Under is also 6-0 in the Cowboys' last six games.
PREDICTION: Under 53.5 (-110)
First-half team total pick
Sanders makes a huge difference for Oklahoma State, as he can use his feet along with his arm.
However, this game could get out of hand and since Sanders has a banged-up ankle, I can see head coach Mike Gundy pulling his quarterback in the second half to prevent further injury. So let’s bank on the Cowboys piling it on early before letting up late.
PREDICTION: Oklahoma State first-half team total Over 20.5 (-103)
Oklahoma State vs Kansas betting card
- Oklahoma State -21 (-110)
- Under 53.5 (-110)
- Oklahoma State first-half team total Over 20.5 (-103)
Did you know that if you parlayed today’s NCAA Oklahoma State vs. Kansas picks, you could win $61.83 on a $10 bet?
Use our NCAA parlay calculator to create your own parlays and see their potential payouts.
Where can I bet on college football?
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