College Football Betting: Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas Jayhawks

It’s been 20 years since the Kansas Jayhawks last knocked off the Oklahoma Sooners, and it might be another two decades before Kansas wins another game in this series. Oklahoma has totally dominated Kansas this century. The Sooners have outscored the Jayhawks by an average of 29.8 PPG, and they have won each game by at least two touchdowns. A Kansas win on Saturday would be the upset of the century.

OKLAHOMA SOONERS AT KANSAS JAYHAWKS
LINE: OKLAHOMA -31.5
TOTAL: 67

There has been considerable action on Kansas since the college football betting odds for this week were released on Sunday. Oklahoma was initially a 35.5-point favorite when the line opened, but that number has already dropped by four points. We haven’t seen the same action on the total with the number remaining a flat 67.

INJURY REPORT

The line movement we’ve seen is likely due to the status of Jalen Hurts. Hurts was under the weather at Monday’s press conference, and while head coach Lincoln Riley expects Hurts to play, he admitted that there’s a chance Hurts doesn’t take the field. Neither Hurts nor Riley went into much detail about specifics, but there’s no doubt that the NCAAF betting line for this game would be affected if Tanner Mordecai or Spencer Rattler started in place of Hurts.

In addition to Hurts, running back Kennedy Brooks is probable due to a left knee injury, and kicker Calum Sutherland is questionable after being suspended for last week’s game against Texas Tech.

Earlier this week, Les Miles told the media that leading rusher Khalil Herbert is unlikely to play for Kansas the rest of the season after the senior running back indicated that he was looking to redshirt and transfer. Herbert is averaging 8.9 yards per carry this season, so his presence will be missed. Linebacker Dru Prox and tight end James Sosinski are both questionable.

WHEN OKLAHOMA HAS THE BALL

Provided Hurts plays, this offense is nigh unstoppable. Hurts is the national leader in QB Rating (249.9) and yards per attempt (15.2) by a wide margin, and he’s continued the trend of Oklahoma quarterbacks dazzling everyone with their gaudy numbers. Hurts has only had to throw the ball 85 times this season, but that has been enough to do a lot of damage.

Somehow Oklahoma’s running game has been even more impressive. The Sooners are averaging an incredible 8.0 YPC, and their top seven rushers are all averaging 7.5 YPC. Hurts is leading the way with 443 yards and a 9.4 YPC average, and his dynamism makes this offense absurd. This Oklahoma team has the potential to set numerous national records this season provided Hurts remains healthy.

The Jayhawks haven’t been bad on defense this season. They are allowing 5.3 yards per play, and they are considered a middle of the pack defense by advanced metrics. However, this defense has seen nothing like Oklahoma’s offense this year. The best offense Kansas has faced this year was TCU, and the Horned Frogs pasted the Jayhawks 51-14 last week. There is a chasm between TCU and Oklahoma, so Kansas is likely in for a rough afternoon.

WHEN KANSAS HAS THE BALL

The Jayhawks stunned everyone last season by dropping 40 points on Oklahoma’s defense. It wasn’t enough to come within two touchdowns of the Sooners, but it was further indication that Mike Stoops needed to leave Norman. Alex Grinch came in to revamp the defense, and the early returns have been promising.

Oklahoma has the 42nd ranked defense per SP+. Houston is the only team that has moved the ball consistently against this unit, and that’s not an indictment considering how loaded the Cougars were on offense in September.

Carter Stanley has fared better than most recent Kansas quarterbacks, completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 945 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions through four games. He has a very impressive receiver in Andrew Parchment, and the Jayhawks are likely going to need to air it out against Oklahoma.

PREDICTION

There’s no question the Sooners could drop 60 points or more with a healthy Hurts, but Riley probably doesn’t want to show much or risk injury with the Red River Showdown looming. Oklahoma has had little trouble with Kansas in the past, so there is no reason to go all out against the Jayhawks. The line movement has been right, and I think Kansas stays within the number on Saturday.

Get the latest college football odds and information–follow BetOnline.ag on Twitter!

BetOnline.ag on Instagram–Follow for the latest odds, stats and information!