Kansas football will take on its biggest test yet when they face off against Texas this weekend. We assembled a preview of the Longhorns and our predictions for the contest.
The Kansas Jayhawks have opened consecutive seasons with a 4-0 record under third-year head coach Lance Leipold. He has turned the program around completely and enters this week’s tilt against Texas with a chance to win arguably the most significant game in KU history.
Meanwhile, Texas is on pace to have its best team in over a decade. Despite establishing themselves as a football powerhouse in the 2000s, the Longhorns had a mediocre 2010s era by their standards. Steve Sarkisian and Co. went to Tuscaloosa and took down Alabama two weeks back, and UT is considered the heavy favorite to win the Big 12 before it pivots to the SEC in 2024.
These are the betting lines, our predictions, and everything else you need to know for Texas vs. Kansas.
Texas vs. Kansas Football Odds, Spread and Total
For the first time in 2023, Kansas will open as underdogs. Texas is a 17-point favorite on all sportsbooks, though most moneylines are different.
DraftKings: +17 Kansas, +650 ML, -17 Texas, -1000 ML, O/U 64
FanDuel: +17 Kansas, +580 ML, -17 Texas, -880 ML, O/U 62.5
BetMGM: +17 Kansas, +575 ML, -17 Texas, -900 ML, O/U 64
Bet365: +17 Kansas, +550 ML, -17 Texas, -800 ML, O/U 64
Caesars: +17 Kansas, +600 ML, -17 Texas, -900 ML, O/U 64
BetRivers: +17 Kansas, +550 ML, -17 Texas, -910 ML, O/U 62.5
Texas vs. Kansas Football How to Watch
Date: Saturday, September 30
Game Time: 2:30 p.m. CT
Venue: Darrell K Royal Texas Memorial Stadium
Weather at Game Time: 87°
How to Watch: ABC | Fubo TV
Texas vs. Kansas Football Key Players to Watch
Kansas Football
Star quarterback Jalon Daniels has been proclaimed the savior of KU’s football program, and for good reason. He has thrown for 705 yards and five touchdowns after missing the season opener due to injury. In what will likely be a high-scoring shootout, Daniels will need to play a near-perfect outing for KU to come out on top.
Tailback Devin Neal is one of the most dynamic runners in the Big 12. The conference’s only returning 1,000-yard rusher is on pace for an even better season in 2023, totaling 539 scrimmage yards and six touchdowns through the first four games. Against one of the best run defenses in the country, Neal must find a way to break off some massive gains.
Cornerback Cobee Bryant is the reigning Big 12 Defensive Player of the Week after his tremendous performance against BYU. He recorded three tackles, one interception, and forced a fumble that he recovered for a scoop and score in the first quarter. Cobee will be tasked with guarding one of the best receivers in the country Saturday afternoon.
Texas Football
Texas’ quarterback, Quinn Ewers, remains perfect on the season with nine touchdowns thrown and zero interceptions. The true sophomore has shown excellent improvements from last season and is a serious threat with the deep ball.
Ja’Tavion Sanders is one of the nation’s most dynamic tight ends. Tabbed a potential first-round draft pick by NFL scouts, Sanders leads the Longhorns in receiving yards (268) and averages 22.3 yards per catch.
Wide receiver Xavier Worthy is another threat in the passing game. Although he’s been trending downward since his freshman season, he is one of the best wideouts in the Big 12.
Texas vs. Kansas Football Prediction and Pick
Everyone remembers when Kansas went into Texas two years ago and pulled off the monumental upset. While I’d love for history to repeat itself, this is a different team we’re looking at here. On paper, they’re the most complete roster in the country.
Texas will likely win this game. However, it will be closer than most people think. I think the Longhorns will pull away in the fourth quarter, and the KU defense will run out of gas attempting to guard the high-octane Texas offense.
Game Prediction: 45-34, Texas
Betting Prediction: +17 Kansas, Over 64 Points