The Kansas Jayhawks will host the West Virginia Mountaineers in an intriguing Big 12 conference game this Saturday. Both teams enter the game with a 2-1 record for the season. The game is set for a 6:00 PM kickoff under the lights at the David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.
West Virginia’s performance on the road will be under scrutiny as they aim to secure their first away victory, having lost their only road game at Ohio. The Mountaineers demonstrated resilience in their recent home win against Pittsburgh, marked by a commanding ground game. Kansas, meanwhile, will leverage its strong home record, having secured two wins at home so far this season.
With Kansas favored by 13.5 points according to the consensus odds, the Jayhawks appear to have the upper hand on paper. However, West Virginia’s capability to stage an upset cannot be dismissed, given their recent offensive output. The game will be broadcast live on FS1, promising an exciting night for college football enthusiasts.
Kansas vs West Virginia At a Glance
- Game Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
- Kickoff Time: Saturday, September 20, 2025, at 6:00 PM
- TV Broadcast: FS1
- West Virginia Record: 2-1 overall; 0-1 on the road
- Kansas Record: 2-1 overall; 2-0 at home
- Odds Snapshot: Kansas favored with a -500 moneyline and -13.5 spread
The Kansas Jayhawks: A Deep Dive into Their Current Performance
Offensive Strategies and Key Players
The Kansas Jayhawks have demonstrated a strong offensive lineup in the 2025 regular season, ranking 28th in points for, with a total of 108 points. Their passing game has been steady with 745 yards, landing them in the 49th position overall. Additionally, their rushing game has contributed 523 yards, which places them at 54th in the rankings.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels has been a significant contributor to their offensive efforts, with 679 passing yards over three games, ranking him 51st in the league. His 9 passing touchdowns place him 5th among quarterbacks, showcasing his effectiveness in the red zone. Despite some interceptions, Daniels maintains a solid presence on the field.
Defensive Strengths
Defensively, the Jayhawks have shown promise, ranking 41st with 56 points against in the current season. Their ability to sack the quarterback has been impressive, with a total of 10 sacks, placing them 5th in the league. They have also shown a knack for turnovers, with 2 interceptions and 2 fumbles recovered, ranking them 3rd and 4th respectively.
This defensive prowess is a significant improvement from last season, where they ranked 90th in points against. The additions and adjustments in their defensive lineup have clearly paid dividends, contributing to their overall performance this season.
Recent Game Performances
In recent games, the Jayhawks displayed varied performances, securing a dominant 46-7 win against the Wagner Seahawks. However, they faced a setback against Missouri, losing 42-31. This game highlighted areas of improvement, particularly in controlling the ground game, as they allowed 261 rushing yards against Missouri.
Despite the loss, their ability to rebound quickly has been notable, as seen in their next matchup where they won 31-7 against the Fresno State Bulldogs. This resilience is indicative of a team capable of learning from its mistakes and adapting strategies accordingly.
Betting Trends for Kansas
- SU – Home Games: 5-0 in the last 5 home games
- O/U – After Loss: 15-4 in the last 19 games
- SU – After Loss: 3-0 in the last 3 games
- ATS – After Loss: 3-0 in the last 3 games
- O/U – Away Games: 18-8-1 in the last 27 games
These trends highlight the Jayhawks’ ability to perform well after setbacks, making them a strong pick for bettors considering their resilience and home game success.
West Virginia Mountaineers: The Road to Redemption
Team Overview
The West Virginia Mountaineers enter this away game with a balanced offensive approach, showing strength in both the passing and rushing departments. They have accumulated 670 passing yards, ranking 65th, while their rushing game is more impressive at 639 yards, placing them 27th. This dual-threat capability poses a challenge for any defense they encounter.
Defensively, the Mountaineers have demonstrated remarkable prowess, especially with their ability to pressure the quarterback. They have recorded 13 sacks, which ranks them 2nd overall, and have also secured 4 interceptions, placing them 5th. This ability to create turnovers will be critical in gaining an advantage on the road.
Recent Game Performance
In their most recent contest, West Virginia secured a win against the Pittsburgh Panthers with a score of 31-24. The game showcased their ability to dominate in first downs, achieving 28 compared to Pittsburgh’s 15. Their rushing attack was particularly effective, amassing 174 yards against a struggling Pittsburgh run defense.
However, the previous week’s encounter with the Ohio Bobcats resulted in a 17-10 loss. The Mountaineers struggled offensively, only securing 13 first downs and a mere 72 rushing yards, highlighting the need for improvement in away game performances.
Key Players
Nicco Marchiol has been a standout at quarterback, accumulating 594 passing yards over three games. His ability to manage the game and limit turnovers will be vital against the Kansas defense. On the ground, Tye Edwards has contributed significantly with 141 rushing yards in just one game, providing a powerful option in the running game.
Receiver Cam Vaughn has also been a key player, leading the team with 203 receiving yards. His ability to stretch the field and create big plays will be important for the Mountaineers to open up their offensive options.
Injury Concerns
The Mountaineers face some injury challenges, with key players like Jaden Bray and Jahiem White ruled out for the season. The absence of these players will require others to step up and fill the void, particularly in the receiving and rushing departments.
Max Brown’s status remains uncertain due to a hamstring injury, potentially affecting the depth at quarterback. Ensuring the health and readiness of the remaining roster is crucial as they prepare for their upcoming road test.
Team Betting Trends
- SU – After Loss: Last 12 Games (2022–2025) → 10-2 (83.3%)
- ATS – After Loss: Last 3 Games (2024–2025) → 3-0 (100.0%)
- SU – As Favorite: Last 25 Games (2020–2025) → 18-7 (72.0%)
- SU – Home Games: Last 29 Games (2020–2025) → 20-9 (69.0%)
- O/U – Away Games: Last 10 Games (2023–2025) → 8-2 (80.0%)
- O/U – After Loss: Last 10 Games (2023–2025) → 8-2 (80.0%)
- O/U – As Underdog: Last 6 Games (2024) → 5-1 (83.3%)
- O/U – Totals ≥ 50: Last 17 Games (2023–2025) → 12-5 (70.6%)
Kansas vs West Virginia Prediction: Over 54.5
In their last three meetings, Kansas and West Virginia have consistently hit the over, with total scores of 60, 62, and 55 points. This trend is supported by Kansas’s tendency to exceed the total after a loss, going 15-4 in such scenarios since 2021. Additionally, both teams have potent offenses this season, ranking in the top 50 for passing yards.
Kansas has scored 108 points through three games, showcasing a balanced attack that can exploit West Virginia’s defense. The Mountaineers also bring firepower, having scored 86 points in their three games. With both teams averaging over 28 points per game, the potential for a high-scoring affair is strong.
West Virginia’s defense, while allowing only 44 points this season, will be tested by Kansas’s offensive capabilities. Kansas’s home field advantage and recent offensive performances suggest that the Jayhawks can put up significant points. Considering these factors, the over on 54.5 looks promising.
Given these considerations, I project Kansas to win in a high-scoring game, with a final score of Kansas 35 – West Virginia 28. This scenario aligns with the statistical trends and offensive strengths of both teams.
- Kansas vs West Virginia Prediction: Over 54.5
- Kansas vs West Virginia Score: Kansas 35 – West Virginia 28
