Kansas vs Texas Betting Odds: Battle of Ranked Teams in Austin

The No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks visit the third-ranked Texas Longhorns in a Big 12 Conference clash. Typically, a battle of ranked teams is one of the top two or three games of the week. But there are four matchups involving ranked teams this weekend and this one easily has the highest point spread of the bunch. Kansas is 4-0 on the season and 2-2 against the point spread. The Longhorns are the same. But Texas has played a much tougher schedule than the Jayhawks. The Kansas vs Texas betting odds see the Longhorns favored by 17 points with the total down several points to 62.

Kansas Gets First Real Test of Season

The NCAAF scoreboard shows the Jayhawks are 4-0 straight-up this season and you can’t do any better than that. But the question remains exactly how good is Kansas? The Jayhawks have been favored in all four games and they’ve played the likes of Missouri State and Nevada. The Jeff Sagarin power rankings have Kansas as having played the easiest schedule of any team in the Big 12 Conference. That is definitely going to change this week.

The Jayhawks have stats that are just as good, if not better than Texas across the board. But the difference is who they were accumulated against. Kansas is rushing for 218.3 yards per game and a 5.6 yards per carry average. The passing attack is throwing for 245.3 yards per game.

On defense, Kansas allows 93 rushing yards per game and 203.8 through the air. But the Jayhawks are allowing 22.8 points per game. That’s more than they should be allowing, considering they’re holding teams to less than 300 total yards.

Both of Kansas’ two-point spread losses came as a favorite of 28 points or more. The Jayhawks are 2-2 in totals on the season.

Texas Aiming to Remain in Playoff Chase

The Longhorns entered the season with high expectations and so far they’ve lived up to them. Defeating Alabama was a major step toward the team’s goal of making the playoffs. But there are still several other big hurdles the Longhorns have to clear first. Oklahoma is up next, but the Longhorns can’t get caught looking ahead. The college football championship odds on Texas are +900, which is the fourth-lowest of all teams.

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers has been outstanding so far, throwing for 1,033 yards and nine touchdowns. He hasn’t been intercepted this season and has three rushing touchdowns, which ties him for the team lead. Jonathon Brooks has been the main man in the backfield and has 379 yards and three scores.

On defense, the Longhorns have held three of their four opponents to 10 points or less. That’s the primary reason Texas is 1-3 in totals in the NCAAF scores and odds. Alabama is the only team to score more than 10 points. Texas has been solid against the run and pass but has been slightly better at stopping the running game.

What to Expect

Kansas could be in for a rude awakening if they come and do what’s worked so far. There’s a huge difference between rushing against Illinois and rushing against Texas. The Jayhawks are going to have to mix things up a bit and throw a little more than they have so far. Jalon Daniels can make things happen offensively.

The Longhorns don’t really have to change things up much. If something works against the likes of Alabama, it should have some success against Kansas. The Longhorns have close to a 50-50 balance between running and passing. Sticking with that and trying to keep the Kansas defense guessing could be productive for the Longhorns.

Who to Bet On?

Who you like in this game will be determined by how much emphasis you place on strength of schedule. There’s no doubt the Longhorns have played some talented teams this season. You can’t say the same for Kansas and the sportsbook also noticed. The Kansas vs Texas betting odds of Longhorns -17 seems like too many points to give a ranked team.

The one problem with taking Texas is the fact that the Sooners are waiting in the wings next week. It’s Texas’ biggest regular season game each year and you can’t blame the team if they’re peeking forward to next week.

The Kansas vs Texas betting odds on the total of 62 could be a bit on the high side if the rushing game has a little, but not too much, success. This will be the best defense Kansas has seen all season.

With Oklahoma on tap for Texas, the value here is going to be on Kansas +17.

For NCAAF betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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