Houston (2-4, 1-2 Big 12) is set to face off against Kansas (1-5, 0-3) this Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET, broadcasted on ESPN+. The betting odds from BetMGM indicate that Kansas is favored by 6.5 points. Historically, Kansas holds a significant advantage in this matchup, leading the series 4-0.
Both teams are eager for victories as they aim to keep their bowl game aspirations alive. Houston, after suffering two consecutive shutouts at the hands of Cincinnati and Iowa State, found renewed motivation with a recent win against TCU. Conversely, Kansas is still seeking a win against a Football Bowl Subdivision rival since their initial victory over Lindenwood. Their five losses have been close, with a cumulative margin of just 28 points.
A crucial battle to watch will be between Kansas quarterback Jalon Daniels and the Houston pass defense. Daniels possesses the potential to be a game-changer, though he can also struggle with turnovers. So far this season, he has amassed 1,065 passing yards and seven touchdowns while adding three rushing touchdowns; however, he has also thrown seven interceptions.
Key players to keep an eye on include Houston’s QB Zeon Chriss, who enjoyed a stellar performance against TCU, completing 15 of 18 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown, in addition to rushing for 97 yards and another touchdown on 11 carries. For Kansas, running back Devin Neal is a consistent offensive threat, recently rushing for 71 yards and a touchdown against Arizona State. The Jayhawks had the previous week off to prepare for Houston.
Some interesting facts ahead of the game include its location at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Kansas City Chiefs, while the Jayhawks’ facility undergoes renovations. Houston achieved a season-high rushing total of 207 yards against TCU, marking their best since joining the league. In that game, the Cougars limited TCU to just 299 total yards, which was a significant achievement after ending a five-game losing streak in Big 12 competition. Notably, wide receiver Joseph Manjack IV has successfully caught a pass in each of his last 21 games. Meanwhile, Neal needs only 128 rushing yards to surpass Tony Sands for second place on the school’s all-time list and only four rushing touchdowns to break June Henley’s record of 41. Additionally, Kansas wide receiver Quentin Skinner had a standout game against Arizona State, recording six receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns. The Jayhawks have had recent success during Homecoming, winning their past two matches against Oklahoma and Iowa State in previous years.