Big 12 foes match up when the Kansas Jayhawks (1-5) and the Houston Cougars (2-4) square off on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.

The Jayhawks are the favorites (-5.5) in their matchup versus the Cougars, with the over/under being 46 points. (In terms of the moneyline, the Jayhawks are -207 and the Cougars are +169.)

Keep reading to check out our betting primer for this this matchup between the Jayhawks and the Cougars, and uncover all of our expert picks here, too!

Kansas vs. Houston betting lines

• Spread favorite: Jayhawks (-5.5)
• Moneyline: Jayhawks (-207), Cougars (+169)
• Total: 46 points

Kansas vs. Houston betting info and stats

Kansas, in five games with a spread this season, has gone 0-5-0 against the spread. Kansas is winless ATS (0-2) when the favorite by at least 5.5 points. Kansas has been the moneyline favorite three times this season, and lost each such game. Houston has three wins against the spread so far this season (3-3-0). In the three games Houston has been the underdog by at least 5.5 points, it covered the spread two times. Houston is 1-3 in games it has played as moneyline underdogs.

Kansas vs. Houston recent stats and trends

Kansas Jayhawks

• Kansas is winless against the spread (0-3) and 0-3 overall in its past three matchups.
• In all three of those games, the final combined score has surpassed the set total.
• The last three Kansas games averaged 55 total points, nine more points than this matchup’s point total.

Houston Cougars

• Houston is 1-2 against the spread over its last three games, and has a 0-3 straight-up record in those matchups.
• Houston and its opponents did not combine to hit the over in any of those games.
• The past three Houston games averaged 1.3 more points (47.3) than this matchup’s point total.

Kansas vs. Houston key players

Kansas Jayhawks

• Jalon Daniels has recorded 1,065 yards (177.5 ypg) on 87-of-161 passing with seven touchdowns compared to eight interceptions this season. In addition, he’s added 131 rushing yards (21.8 ypg) on 38 carries while scoring three touchdowns on the ground.
• The team’s top rusher, Devin Neal, has carried the ball 100 times for 584 yards (97.3 per game), scoring five times.
• Daniel Hishaw Jr. has been handed the ball 48 times this year and racked up 310 yards (51.7 per game) with three touchdowns.
• Luke Grimm has hauled in 33 receptions for 354 yards (59 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone four times as a receiver.
• Quentin Skinner has caught 14 passes for 235 yards (39.2 yards per game) and two touchdowns this year.
• Lawrence Arnold has hauled in 16 receptions for 214 yards, an average of 35.7 yards per game. He’s scored one time as a receiver this season.
• Jereme Robinson leads the team with 3.5 sacks, and also has five TFL and nine tackles.
• Ra’Mello Dotson has been all over the field, leading the team in both tackles and interceptions. He has 26 tackles, one TFL, and three interceptions so far.

Houston Cougars

• Donovan Smith has thrown for 694 yards (115.7 ypg) while completing 66.1% of his passes and collecting two touchdown passes with five interceptions this season. He’s also rushed for 114 yards with two touchdowns.
• Stacy Sneed has carried the ball 40 times for 235 yards, with one touchdown.
• Re’Shaun Sanford II has piled up 208 yards (on 40 carries) with one touchdown, while also grabbing eight passes for 96 yards.
• Stephon Johnson Jr. has registered 18 catches this season and his team-high yardage total sits at 202 (33.7 yards per game). He’s been targeted 24 times and has one touchdown.
• Joseph Manjack IV has 12 receptions (on 15 targets) for a total of 167 yards (27.8 yards per game) and two touchdowns this year.
• Maliq Carr has racked up 121 reciving yards (20.2 ypg) this season.
• Michael Batton paces the team with three sacks. He’s also the team’s tackle leader, and has racked up four TFL and 35 tackles.
• A.J. Haulcy has picked off a team-high three passes. He also has 28 tackles and three passes defended to his name.