Kansas Jayhawks vs Kansas State Wildcats Prediction, 10/17/2026 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: Kansas Jayhawks vs Kansas State Wildcats

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-5.5)

Total/Over-Under: 55.5

Bill Snyder Family Stadium is the site where the Kansas State Wildcats (3-2) will compete against the Kansas Jayhawks (2-3) on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Kansas is 5.5-point underdogs. The betting total comes in at 55.5.

The Kansas Jayhawks step onto the field holding a record of 2-3 for this season. The last time they took the field, the Jayhawks played the Utah Utes and went home with a loss by a final score of 41-24. The Kansas Jayhawks ended up rushing 21 different times and totaled 58 yds, which is an average of 2.8 yards per carry. In the game, they had 58 plays which totaled 391 yds. Kansas surrendered 24 completions on 31 attempts for 258 yards, and a completion percentage of 77.4%. When it came to the battle of the line of scrimmage, the Jayhawks conceded 287 yards on 47 tries, which is an average of 6.1 yards per rush surrendered.

Concerning putting points on the board, the Kansas Jayhawks have an average of 33.6 points per outing. As a unit they are averaging 214.8 yards on the ground ranking this team at 25th in D-1. The Jayhawks have racked up 2,378 total yards for this campaign. In terms of getting the ball in the endzone, Kansas has amassed 8 passing touchdowns and 12 rushing touchdowns. Kansas has accumulated 124 1st downs as a unit, and they have committed 37 infractions for 329 yards. They have turned the football over 8 different times.

In terms of yards through the air, the Jayhawks have given up 837 yds which ranks them 15th in the country. They are allowing 167.4 yards per contest through the air as well as giving up a completion percentage of 56.2%. For the season, they are conceding 304.8 yards/contest which has them sitting 31st in the nation. They have surrendered 7 touchdowns by air and 6 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.8 yards per run and 137.4 yards on the ground per contest for the year. For the year, they have allowed 687 rushing yards through 5 games. The Jayhawks are ranked 56th in D-1 when it comes to team defense, giving up 21.8 PPG.

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The Wildcats head into this matchup 3-2 for this season. When they last stepped on the field, the Wildcats took a loss by a final score of 35-16 against the Houston Cougars. Kansas State surrendered 43 run attempts for 233 yards (5.4 yds per rush). The Wildcats pass defense allowed a completion percentage of 63.3%, relinquishing 242 yds on 19 out of 30 passing. The Wildcats finished the game with a total of 299 yds while they ran 59 plays (5.1 yds per play). Kansas State ran for 4.0 yds per attempt, totaling 117 yards on 29 carries.

Regarding this team's ability to score points, the Wildcats are ranking 36th in Division 1 by tallying 35.6 points per game. The Kansas State Wildcats average 444.0 yards/game, which ranks them 38th in college football. The Kansas State offense has 188 yards of penalties on 19 infractions, which is good for 136th in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have thrown 3 interceptions while allowing opponents to recover 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 122 first downs. For the season thus far, the Wildcats currently sit at 1,140 passing yards along with holding an average of 228.0 passing yards per game, which has them ranked 74th in D-1. They average 216.0 yards per game via the rush and have rushed for 1,080 yards for this year.

Kansas State has given up a total of 792 rushing yards (158.4 yards per game) as well as 5 touchdowns via the rush this year. They have surrendered 6 touchdowns through the air as well as 133.4 yards/outing, ranking them 3rd in D-1. In total, they have surrendered 96 total points. Their defense has 3 fumbles recovered and 0 picks so far this season. The Wildcats defense has been on the field for 291 plays, which ranks 7th in the nation. The Wildcats are conceding 19.2 PPG, which has them 38th in college football.

Who will win tonight's Jayhawks/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Josh's Pick: Take the Jayhawks +5.5

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