The Kansas Jayhawks (4-0, 1-0 Big 12) welcome the Iowa State Cyclones (3-1m 0-1) to KU Memorial Stadium Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Below, we analyze Tipico Sportsbook‘s lines around the Iowa State vs. Kansas odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
The Jayhawks are one of the nation’s surprise teams this season. They’re among the 21 teams still undefeated. Kansas has taken down Tennessee Tech, West Virginia, Houston and Duke.
It’s led by star QB Jalon Daniels who has 11 touchdowns and 1 interception. He has 890 passing yards and also is the team’s leader on the ground with 320 rushing yards.
Iowa State has also played well this season as well, taking down rival Iowa 10-7 on the road Sept. 10. It also beat SEMO and Ohio with its only loss coming to Baylor 31-24 last Saturday.
RB Jirehl Brock has taken over as the team’s top back for Breece Hall who departed for the NFL. Brock has 353 yards and is averaging 5.5 yards per carry. QB Hunter Dekkers has been underwhelming this season with a 10:5 touchdown to interception ratio.
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Iowa State at Kansas odds
Provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Iowa State -165 (bet $165 to win $100) | Kansas +140 (bet $100 to win $140)
- Against the spread (ATS): Iowa State -3.5 (-102) | Kansas +3.5 (-122)
- Over/Under (O/U): 58.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
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Iowa State at Kansas picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas 31, Iowa State 27
Moneyline
SPRINKLE ON KANSAS (+140).
The former 3-star junior Daniels took over the starting job this season, and the Jayhawks haven’t looked back. They’ve scored 48.5 points per game, the 4th most in the NCAA.
While it may seem like an easy schedule is the reason for their success, Houston and West Virginia are actually capable sides. Iowa State’s defense will be their toughest task yet, but Daniels is the star I’d back. Kansas’ offense is dynamic, averaging 7.8 yards per play which is 3rd in the nation.
Iowa State has a terrific defense, but the real question is if its offense can keep up. The Cyclones also allowed Baylor QB Blake Shapen to put up 3 touchdowns and a 71% completion rate. He’s not the threat Daniels is, so the star quarterback should be able to find some holes.
Against the spread
BET KANSAS +3.5 (-122).
I prefer the Kansas moneyline for it to pull off the upset and win at home, but getting 3 points and a hook is a nice addition as well. The Jayhawks have Daniels, and that’s all they really have needed so far this season.
They’ll need their defense to step up, but Dekkers hasn’t been great. He’s thrown 5 interceptions through 4 games, including 2 last Saturday against Baylor, and he just hasn’t taken over a game like Daniels.
I back the better quarterback here.
Over/Under
LEAN UNDER 58.5 (-110).
I expect Kansas to be able to put some points on the board, but if there’s a part of Iowa State’s team that is legit it is its defense.
Combine that with Dekkers’ struggles with turnovers, and points may be somewhat at a premium. Iowa State is 2-2 O/U while Kansas is 3-1 O/U, but the latter hasn’t played a defense of this caliber yet.
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