Baylor heads to Lawrence on Saturday as a short road favorite, laying just 1 point against a Kansas team still searching for its first Big 12 win. The Bears own one of the best defenses in the conference, but their offense sputtered badly in last week’s home loss to TCU. Kansas, meanwhile, has shown flashes behind a dual-threat quarterback before fading late. The market has barely moved off a near pick’em, and the total has dipped a point. Below, we break down the matchup, where the betting value sits, and our best bets for this Big 12 clash.
Last Updated: Saturday, October 24, 2026
Baylor vs. Kansas — Time & How to Watch
| Where | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence KS |
| When | Saturday, October 24 – 1:00 PM ET |
| TV | TNT |
Baylor vs. Kansas Betting Preview
Baylor enters at 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play. The Bears opened with a one-point loss to Auburn in Atlanta, then rattled off four straight wins. The highlight was a 55-19 rout at Arizona State, where DJ Lagway threw four touchdown passes. That streak ended last week in a 17-6 home loss to TCU. Lagway completed just 22 of 53 passes with an interception, and Baylor posted a season-low 310 total yards.
The defense is the reason Baylor is favored on the road. The Bears have not allowed 20 points in any game this season. They also lead the Big 12 with 22 sacks. Edge rushers Jordan Mack and Garrick Ponder drive that pass rush, and that matters against a Kansas offensive line in flux.
Kansas sits at 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12. The Jayhawks’ wins came against LIU and Middle Tennessee. Their losses include Missouri, Arizona State, Utah, and last week’s 35-24 defeat at Kansas State. Kansas led that game 17-7 after the first quarter before the Wildcats took over. First-year starter Isaiah Marshall threw for 151 yards and ran for 116 in that loss, but his fourth-quarter end-zone interception proved costly.
Injuries are piling up for the home side. Starting center Kasen Carpenter is out, so a redshirt freshman is expected to make his first career start. Cornerback Syeed Gibbs and linebacker Jaron Willis are also out. The series history adds another hurdle. Baylor leads 19-4 all time and has won 14 straight meetings. Kansas has not beaten Baylor since 2007. Saturday is also Kansas’ Homecoming game.
Baylor vs. Kansas Odds
| Spread | Moneyline | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baylor | -1 (-110) | -120 | O 53.5 (-110) |
| Kansas | +1 (-110) | +100 | U 53.5 (-110) |
Odds accurate as of October 24, 2026 via TheSpread.com. Odds change, get the latest NCAAF Odds – Futures – Props
Baylor vs. Kansas — Who Is the Public Betting?
| Baylor | 65% | 35% | Kansas |
See the latest College Football Public Betting Splits and make smarter wagers!
Baylor vs. Kansas Prediction — Can the Better Defense Win a Coin-Flip Line?
This spread opened at 1.5 and has ticked down to 1, even with roughly two-thirds of spread tickets on the road team. That is a modest signal. The public is leaning one way, yet the number has drifted slightly the other way. Still, a half-point move near zero carries little weight, and the line is essentially asking bettors to pick the winner.
The case for the Bears starts with matchup leverage. Their pass rush leads the conference, and Kansas will start an inexperienced center. Marshall can extend plays with his legs, but pressure up the middle tends to disrupt young quarterbacks. Kansas has also lost 14 straight in this series. Baylor’s defense has held every opponent under 20 points, which gives the offense a margin for error that Kansas has not shown.
The case against the visitors is real, however. Baylor’s offense looked broken against TCU, and Lagway’s completion rate in that game was alarming. Kansas will have a Homecoming crowd behind it, and Marshall’s rushing gives the Jayhawks a dimension that stressed Kansas State early. If Baylor’s passing game stalls again, a home underdog getting a point is a live position. On balance, the stronger defense and the trench mismatch tip the scale toward the favorite.
The Pick: Baylor -1 (-110)
Baylor vs. Kansas Prediction — Is the Total Still Too High?
The total opened at 54.5 and now sits at 53.5. Baylor’s defensive profile explains the drop. The Bears have not allowed 20 points all season, and their offense managed just six points last week. If the Baylor defense holds form, Kansas likely needs a big day just to push this game into the mid-50s. Meanwhile, a Kansas line missing its starting center may struggle to sustain drives against the Big 12’s top pass rush.
The over has its own path, though. Baylor scored 55 at Arizona State, and Lagway can stretch a defense when his timing is on. Kansas has also leaked points late, allowing 35 to Kansas State after a fast start. A couple of short fields or defensive scores could push this past the number. Even so, the defense on the Baylor side has been the most reliable trait of either team this season.
The Pick: Under 53.5 (-110)
Final Thoughts and Bonus Angle
Both picks tie back to the same thesis. Baylor’s defense is the best unit on the field, and Kansas enters banged up on both sides of the ball. The risk is that Baylor’s offense repeats last week’s struggles and lets a motivated home team hang around. With the spread at a single point, the moneyline at -120 offers little extra appeal over the spread. A one-point Baylor win is the only result where the two differ, so we stick with the spread price.
Here is a recap of our Baylor vs. Kansas best bets:
- Baylor -1 (-110)
- Under 53.5 (-110)
NCAAF Baylor vs. Kansas FAQ: Saturday October 24, 2026
What time does the Baylor vs. Kansas game start?
Baylor vs. Kansas kicks off at 1:00 PM ET (12:00 PM CT) on Saturday, October 24, 2026. The game is Kansas’ Homecoming contest, so expect a full set of pregame festivities in Lawrence before the opening kick.
What channel is the Baylor vs. Kansas game on?
The Baylor vs. Kansas game airs nationally on TNT. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on Saturday, October 24, and the broadcast covers the full Big 12 matchup from David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence.
Where are Baylor and Kansas playing?
Baylor and Kansas play at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. Kansas is the home team, and the game doubles as the Jayhawks’ Homecoming. Both schools compete in the Big 12, so the result counts in the conference standings.
Who is starting at quarterback for Baylor and Kansas?
DJ Lagway is Baylor’s starting quarterback, and Isaiah Marshall starts for Kansas. Lagway threw four touchdown passes in a win at Arizona State this month. Marshall, a first-year starter, threw for 151 yards and ran for 116 in last week’s loss at Kansas State.
What is Baylor’s record this season?
Baylor is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in Big 12 play entering Saturday. The Bears lost their opener to Auburn by one point, won four straight, and then fell 17-6 to TCU last week. Kansas enters at 2-4 overall and 0-3 in the Big 12.