KU Jayhawks football vs. Kansas State: Prediction, time, TV info for Sunflower Showdown

After a close Big 12 football loss to Texas Tech, Kansas looks to get back on track Saturday.

The Jayhawks (7-3, 4-3 Big 12) will play host to in-state rival K-State (7-3, 5-2) at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.

The No. 23 Wildcats blew out Baylor last weekend.

Let’s break down this weekend’s matchup:

Game details

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Lawrence)

TV: FS1

Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City

Betting line: K-State is an 8-point favorite.

Shreyas Laddha’s prediction

It’s unclear whether Jason Bean or Cole Ballard will start at quarterback for the Jayhawks, but one thing is certain: No matter who lines up at QB, the Jayhawks will need to limit their mistakes.

For KU, getting off to a fast start will be essential, too. If the Jayhawks can establish an early lead, they might push the Cats away from their stellar run game. Kansas should want to force K-State to pass the ball.

Defensively, KU must put adequate pressure on K-State QB Will Howard, who’s thrown some costly interceptions this season. Offensively, the Jayhawks must establish their run game in order to open up the passing attack.

KU has a decent chance to win this game but needs to play as close to perfect as possible. That’s a lot to ask of any team.

I think the Wildcats win a close one.

Prediction: Kansas State 31, Kansas 28

Shreyas’ pick to cover: Kansas (+8)

Shreyas’ record: 7-3

Shreyas’ record against the spread: 4-6.

Kellis Robinett’s Prediction

The outlook for this game changed the second Jason Bean suffered an injury against Texas Tech last week.

If the Jayhawks had a healthy Bean at quarterback then the Wildcats would only be favored by close to a field goal this weekend, and the Sunflower Showdown would feel like a toss-up game for the first time in ages.

Both teams at 7-3. Both teams are ranked in the College Football Playoff top 25. Kansas has played well at home this season and K-State has struggled a bit on the road.

On paper, this genuinely looks like it should be a close matchup even though K-State has won 14 straight games in this series.

But the Jayhawks have questions at quarterback. They may have to play freshman Cole Ballard. If that happens, then the scales start to tilt in favor of the Wildcats.

Without knowing exactly who will lead the KU offense, the Wildcats are an easy pick. Yes, they are 1-3 on the road this season. Yes, they are 0-2 against ranked teams. But those losses came against Missouri and Texas on the final play of those games. Kansas is not as good as those teams, and some of its home-field advantage will be negated with a healthy dose of purple in the crowd.

Will Howard has been playing at a high level ever since he stopped rotating with Avery Johnson at quarterback. That should continue against a leaky KU defense that will also struggle to stop K-State’s high-powered running game.

K-State also always finds a way to get up for this game. This rivalry matters to the Wildcats, no matter how good or bad the Jayhawks are playing in any given season. KU did some nice things against K-State last season but the Jayhawks seemed nervous and made a boatload of unforced errors that allowed the Wildcats to win by 20.

I don’t see them closing that big of a gap.

We know how K-State is going to handle this game. The same can’t be said about KU. I’m picking the Wildcats to win, and cover, like they usually do in the Sunflower Showdown.

K-State 35, KU 24

Last week’s prediction: K-State 43, Baylor 13 (Actual: K-State 59, Baylor 25)

Season record: 6-4.

Season record against the spread: 5-5.

Season record O/U: 7-3.