It hasn't been the greatest of seasons for Kansas football, but sadly that is the norm in Lawrence. Jayhawks fans got to celebrate on Saturday, though, because Lance Leipold and his squad earned their first Big 12 win of the season over the Baylor Bears.
Kansas played a tight game, especially on special teams, with two blocked kicks, one coming on what could have been a game-winning field goal for the Bears. Baylor felt enough was enough with Dave Aranda, parting ways with him on Sunday.
Now, the Jayhawks will hit the road again, this time further South to Fort Worth, where they will take on TCU, another struggling Big 12 team. Unfortunately for the Jayhawks, oddsmakers are giving them a lot of love in the early betting line.
Kansas is coming in as more than a field-goal underdog to the Horned Frogs, but this Jayhawks rushing attack, led by transfer Dylan Edwards, could be what propels them to back-to-back wins in conference play.
Early odds for Kansas vs. TCU in Week 9
Odds provided by FanDuel Sportsbook
Spread
- TCU: -5.5 (-114)
- Kansas: +5.5 (-106)
Moneyline
- TCU: -205
- Kansas: +168
Total
- O/U: 46.5 (-120/-102)
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.
The hope is that Kansas can build on the momentum they have from the Baylor win, especially after the electric performance from the special teams. Blake Herold, who blocked what would have been a game-winning kick from Baylor, was named Big 12 Special Teams Player of the Week. It was Herold's first blocked kick of his career, but the Jayhawks' fourth blocked kick this week.
That stat could have the Horned Frogs thinking twice at times when deciding whether to kick a field goal or not. The Jayhawks' four blocked kicks ranked No. 2 in the country and are the most by any Kansas football team since 2013.
Kansas will need to pound the run game just as much against the Horned Frogs as they did against the Bears, especially since they average 105.4 rushing yards per game. TCU is one of the stingiest defenses in the Big 12, though, when it comes to allowing points, allowing just 13.9 points per game. In the Horned Frogs' three conference losses this season, they haven't allowed more than 24 points, including just 17 to BYU.
This will be the toughest defense Kansas has faced all season, which could be why the Jayhawks are coming in as a 5.5-point underdog. The Jayhawks will need to hunker down defensively themselves if they want to stay close to the Horned Frogs and hopefully get their second conference win of the season.
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