BYU vs Kansas Football Prediction, Odds & Picks: Will the Cougars Capture Their Big 12 Opener?

This week, six college football matchups feature a pair of teams ranked in the AP poll, while a seventh (FSU vs Clemson) features a team ranked in the Coaches poll but not in the AP poll. The Big 12 debut for BYU at Kansas isn’t one of those seven games, but it profiles as one of the most interesting games on the Week 4 schedule.

While neither the Cougars nor the Jayhawks are ranked entering Saturday’s matchup in Lawrence, the winner of this matchup of 3-0 teams might be come Sunday if results shake out the right way.

The Cougars start life in the Big 12 after wrapping up non-conference play with a come-from-behind 38-31 win at Arkansas. BYU trailed 31-21 early in the third quarter but held the Razorbacks scoreless the rest of the way in a wild contest in Fayetteville.

Kansas, meanwhile, is 3-0 for the second straight season after opening the year with home wins over Missouri State and Illinois and a road win over Nevada.

BYU vs Kansas Odds

Odds are via Bovada as of 4:00 pm ET Thursday, September 21, 2023.

Spread

• BYU +9.5 (-105)
• Kansas -9.5 (-115)

Over/Under

• Over 55 (-110)
• Under 55 (-110)

Moneyline

• BYU +285
• Kansas -370

Is BYU Being Underestimated by Oddsmakers?

Given that BYU just won on the road against an SEC team that is expected to have a decent season, you would think that they wouldn’t be almost a double-digit underdog this week, right?

Yes, it was the Cougars’ first game of the season against noteworthy opposition after facing Sam Houston State and Southern Utah, but Arkansas won last season in Provo and was a nine-point favorite ahead of last week’s rematch.

Obviously, this spread is as much about giving Kansas a lot of credit for what they bring to the table.

But one can’t help but raise an eyebrow at it, especially after the Jayhawks had all sorts of trouble dispatching the Wolf Pack in Reno last Saturday.

KU was favored by four touchdowns over the home team, who lost 66-14 at USC in their opener and were a week removed from an ugly 33-6 home loss to Idaho.

But the Jayhawks didn’t go ahead for good until there was 6:20 left, when Devin Neal hit paydirt from three yards out. From there, two defensive stops were required to close out the win.

At this point of the season, there’s only so much you can read into performances. But when BYU just rallied from a double-digit deficit to take down a solid SEC team on the road while Kansas scraped by one of the worst teams in the FBS, it’s hard not to have questions.

With that in mind, the advice here is to either back BYU to cover or stay away from a pre-game spread play. Or, if you are confident that Kansas will get the job done, use them in a teaser instead.

BYU vs Kansas Prediction and Picks

Prediction: Kansas to win

Picks: BYU/Kansas over 55 (-110 at Bovada) & Jalon Daniels over 239.5 passing yards (-115 at Bovada)

After missing the season opener against Missouri State, Daniels was 21 for 29 for 277 yards against Illinois in his season debut, then went 21 for 27 for 298 yards at Nevada. Unless this one is decided before the fourth quarter, Daniels should hit this target.

After giving up 17 points to FCS Missouri State, 23 to Illinois, and 24 to Nevada, I would be mildly surprised to see Kansas shut down BYU.

The Cougars were outgained 424-281 at Arkansas, but this is the breakdown of their six scoring drives:

• 1st TD: two plays, 53 yards, 0:52 time of possession
• 2nd TD: one play, 45 yards, 0:10 TOP
• 3rd TD: 10 plays, 70 yards, 3:20 TOP
• FG: six plays, 24 yards, 2:31 TOP
• 4th TD: one play, 20 yards, 0:10 TOP
• 5th TD: nine plays, 69 yards, 4:46 TOP

Even if Kansas ends up covering, I expect BYU to do their part to help the over hit.

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Where to Bet on BYU vs Kansas

Most top online sportsbooks offer a wide variety of college football odds throughout the season.

In addition to being able to make weekly college football picks all the way from Week Zero to the College Football Playoff National Championship, you can also bet on Heisman Trophy odds, conference championship odds, win totals, and much more.

Along with Bovada, where the BYU vs Kansas odds in this article are from, there are plenty of sports betting sites you can choose from that are good for college football betting.

Below are some of the other books that we highly recommend:

• BetOnline
• BetUS
• Bookmaker
• MyBookie
• Sportsbetting.ag

If you don’t have an account at a book on this list, check out our reviews to help you determine if it is worth your interest and your betting funds.

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