The Jayhawks of Kansas (+18) are gearing up to host the Oklahoma State Cowboys (-18) at Kivisto Field at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. FSN is scheduled to have the TV rights and kickoff for this crucial Big 12 showdown is set for 12:00 p.m. ET. These schools faced off last year with the final result being a 58-17 win for Oklahoma State.
Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Kansas Jayhawks Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big 12 game, Oklahoma State is tabbed as the big favorite and is currently giving up 18 points. In order to take the favorite, moneyline gamblers would currently have to lay down $1,500 to win $100 back on the Cowboys (-1500). The Jayhawks are getting +810 moneyline odds. Should one side finds paydirt early, it will likely result in a solid in-game betting scenario.
The game’s line opened at 17 but the general public’s been siding with the Cowboys.
The hapless Cowboys have lost 6.5 units so far and are 2-2 against the spread (ATS). The team’s posted an O/U record of 1-2. The Jayhawks have lost 2.4 units this season. The team is 2-2 ATS and also has an O/U record of 1-2.
The Cowboys have gone 3-1 straight up (SU), including 0-1 SU against conference opponents. The Jayhawks are 2-2 SU overall and are also 0-1 SU in conference play.
The Cowboys fell to Texas Tech 41-17 in a thumping where the passing attack wasn’t where it needed to be as Taylor Cornelius completed just 18 passes on 38 attempts for 258 yards, as well as a TD and an interception. Justice Hill (111 rushing yards on 12 attempts, one TD) led the running attack. Tylan Wallace (seven receptions, 123 yards) and Jalen McCleskey (four catches, 52 yards) handled the receiving duties in the defeat.
Kansas just lost 26-7 to Baylor. The defensive unit allowed the Bears to run for 190 yards on 39 rush attempts. Jalen Hurd put up a productive showing, recording 60 yards on four catches for Baylor. As a group, the Jayhawks collectively completed 16-of-27 passes for 149 yards and one touchdown. Peyton Bender went 10-for-17 for 105 yards and one touchdown while Carter Stanley was four-of-six for 37 yards. Pooka Williams Jr. (89 rushing yards on 14 attempts) spearheaded the running game while Kerr Johnson Jr. (four receptions, 11 yards) and Steven Sims Jr. (three catches, 47 yards) led the pass-catching attack in the loss.
Oklahoma State has run the ball on 52.5 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Kansas has an overall rush percentage of 56.7 percent. The Cowboys have rushed for 225 yards per game and have 11 scores on the ground this year. The Jayhawks are totaling 199 rushing yards per game and have six total rush TDs.
If the numbers so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Cowboys may have an edge in all aspects of the ground game, as their backfield has generated 5.6 yards per carry while the defense is allowing 3.0 yards per rush attempt to opponents. The Jayhawks have recorded 5.2 yards per carry and allowed a YPC of 4.2 to opponents.
The Cowboys offensive scheme has logged 315 yards/contest in the air overall and has nine passing TDs so far. The Jayhawks have put up 159 pass yards per contest and have five total pass scores.
Oklahoma State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 112 yards and pass for 266 yards per game. The Kansas D has allowed 175.0 yards per game to opposing passers and 157.5 yards per game on the ground. The Jayhawks are giving up an adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) of just 3.57 to opposing QBs, while the Cowboys have allowed a 5.31 ANY/A.
Offensively, Cornelius is up to 986 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 68-of-113 attempts with seven scores through the air and four interceptions. He has a 7.49 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 6.68 over the last two games.
Justice Hill (265 rushing yards, four rush TDs on the year), Tylan Wallace (337 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Dillon Stoner (105 receiving yards) have each played significant roles lately.
In the other locker room, Peyton Bender has connected on 46-of-78 passes for 422 yards, four TDs and zero INTs. Bender’s ANY/A stands at an ultra-pedestrian 4.95 for the year and 6.00 over his past two outings.
We’re looking for the Jayhawks to control tempo by feeding their running backs early and often. Steven Sims Jr. (106 receiving yards, one TD this season) has stepped up lately, but Pooka Williams Jr. (214 rush yards, two rush TDs) and Khalil Herbert (96 rush yards) have really been focal points in the Kansas offense.
NCAA Tip: Oklahoma State Cowboys vs. Kansas Jayhawks
SU Winner – Oklahoma State, ATS Winner – Kansas
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Notes
Betting Trends
The Oklahoma State defense has 19 sacks on the year while Kansas has just five.
Kansas has lost one fumble in 2018 while Oklahoma State has let three get away.
The Cowboys offense has created three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Jayhawks have put up zero such plays.
The Oklahoma State defense has allowed zero pass plays of 40 or more yards, while Kansas has given up one such play.
The Oklahoma State offense has created 10 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Kansas has created 11 such runs.
The Cowboys defense has allowed four rushing plays of 20+ yards, while the Jayhawks have given up three such runs.
Kansas was favored by 8 points in its last outing and the O/U going into it was 54.5. The under cashed and Kansas failed to cover in the team’s 26-7 loss to Baylor.
In its last three matchups, Kansas is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Over its last three contests, Oklahoma State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in two of those three.
Oklahoma State was favored by 15 points in its previous game and the O/U was 77. The under cashed and Oklahoma State was not able to cover in the 41-17 loss to Texas Tech.
Oklahoma State has averaged 4.41509433962264 yards per carry across its last three outings and 4.9 over its last two.
Kansas has averaged 6.1 yards per carry over its last three games and 6.9 over its last two.
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