Kansas Jayhawks vs. Baylor Bears

Kansas Jayhawks (5-6 SU, 5-6 ATS) vs. Baylor Bears (7-4 SU, 8-3 ATS)
NCAA Football Week 14
Date/Time: Saturday, November 30th, 2024, 12:00PM (EST)
Where: McLane Stadium Waco, TX
TV: ESPN2

Betting Odds

Point Spread: KU -1/BAY +1
Moneyline: KU -110/BAY -110
Total: 60.5

The Kansas Jayhawks have found some late-season magic in recent weeks with three straight victories against ranked opponents. The latest Jayhawks upset came in the form of a 37-21 thumping against Colorado, which essentially ended the Buffaloes’ hopes for the College Football Playoffs. Despite a 1-5 SU start to the season, the Jayhawks have now won 4 of the last five games, including three straight against top-20 ranked opponents. On Saturday, Kansas will have the improbable opportunity to become bowl eligible if they can capture another victory in their season-ending road trip against the Baylor Bears.

Like the Jayhawks, Baylor is another team that has caught fire during the 2nd half of the season. The Bears have rattled off five straight victories and are surprisingly still alive in the Big 12 Championship picture due to a log jam at the top of the standings. With four different teams tied for first in the Big 12 standings at 6-2 SU in conference play, Baylor is still technically alive in the fight for a Big 12 Championship Game appearance. The Bears would need to beat Kansas this Saturday and hope for major chaos throughout the rest of the conference. While a title game may be a long shot, the Bears will be looking to keep the dream alive with Saturday’s early kickoff against the Jayhawks.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Baylor Bears Betting Analysis

If you are trying to put a finger on the turnaround this season in Kansas, there is not a clear answer to the late-season success in the form of personnel change. The Jayhawks have simply run the ball extremely well in recent weeks with senior RB Devin Neal and have played really well on the defensive side of the football. In last week’s victory over Colorado, Neal exploded for 207 yards on the ground and an additional 80 yards receiving with four touchdowns. Neal has accounted for 11 touchdowns over the last five games and has been the center point of Kansas’ late-season success. Rest assured, Neal will see another heavy workload this Saturday against a Baylor defense, allowing 150 yards per game on the ground.

If the Baylor defense can stop the run, Kansas QB Jalon Daniels has been plagued with turnover issues, which should play into the Bears’ favor. However, the Baylor offense is going to need to produce scoring opportunities as well. Baylor QB Sawyer Robertson has played well throughout the 2nd half of the season but is coming off a lackluster performance against Houston, where he tossed three picks. Prior to that performance, the Bears had averaged 45 points per game through their prior four wins, and the passing attack fired on all cylinders. Therefore, it is imperative that Baylor’s offense returns to form behind Robertson against an underrated Kansas defense.

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Baylor Bears Betting Trends

• Kansas is 5-0 ATS in the last five games.
• Kansas has hit the “over” in 6 of the last eight games.
• Kansas is 1-4 SU in the last five games on the road.
• Kansas is 5-1 ATS in the last six games against Big 12 opponents.
• Baylor is 5-0 ATS in the last five games.
• Baylor has hit the “over” in 7 of the last eight games.
• Baylor is 5-1 ATS in the last six games at home.
• Baylor is 10-0 ATS in the last ten games against Kansas

Kansas Jayhawks vs. Baylor Bears Betting Prediction

This is a tough match-up that could go either way, depending on turnovers and big plays. However, I really like how Kansas has been playing against quality opponents. I think the Jayhawks’ defense is playing better than people realize, and that will be the ultimate difference.

Jay’s Pick: Take Kansas -1

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