Kansas football has its first real chance to put a stamp on its authority this weekend. In just under 24 hours, the Jayhawks will be taking on a hostile SEC environment, with the Missouri Tigers on the other side of the border, looking to place a real stamp on their early season.
Both teams are sitting with smooth undefeated records as Kansas is coming off of back-to-back stompings over Fresno State (31-7) and Wagner (46-7), while Missouri is on the heels of its own dominant win, a 61-6 win over Central Arkansas last weekend.
Both teams have question marks surrounding them, and both teams are stocked with some elite players. Missouri’s backfield, lined with Ahmad Hardy, will cause issues. Look no further than last season when Hardy was at the University of Louisiana-Monroe. Hardy amassed over 1,300 yards on the ground with a healthy 13 touchdowns to follow suit.
Meanwhile, Kansas fans know their star quarterback Jalon Daniels has been red-hot this season. The Lawndale, California native has totaled an 80% completion rate, with seven touchdowns to just one interception, and already 456 yards on just 36 completed passes.
CBS Sports writers Brad Crawford and Chris Hummer spent Thursday previewing their College Football odds, picks, and predictions, with Kansas and Missouri among the games previewed.
“Hummer (Kansas +6.5): I'd argue both teams were slept on this offseason. The Tigers have an excellent defensive line, a soft schedule and a QB who makes things happen with his legs. Kansas has a healthy Jalon Daniels, and the Jayhawks are always a problem when that's the case. I'm going to pick Missouri to win this once fierce rivalry game. I trust the Tigers more in the trenches. But Kansas isn't going to make it easy. That offense is humming right now, and they're moving people up front. Give me the Tigers but Kansas does cover. … Missouri 34, Kansas 28”
“Crawford (Missouri -6.5): A spot inside the national rankings could be up for grabs for the winner in this one and deservedly so based on what we've seen on the field up to this point. Missouri quarterback Beau Pribula was unstoppable on the ground in his debut and with Sam Horn's injury, is the guy moving forward for the Tigers. Jalon Daniels has already thrown seven touchdown passes in two starts and the Kansas defense has improved. Last team with the football wins? Perhaps. ... Missouri 24, Kansas 17”
Both think this game will be on a knife-edge, which is all the testament to the Jayhawks. Just a few seasons ago, this would have been a walkover for a Missouri team that would have likely faced a Kansas side peaking at three wins; now there is real belief that this Kansas side (while the underdog) can create some madness.
The Jayhawks will travel to Columbia, Missouri, tomorrow, with kickoff scheduled for 2:30 PM CT.