Here is everything you need to know, from current betting odds to DFS picks and fantasy football players to play included in our TCU vs. Kansas prediction.
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TCU vs. Kansas betting preview
- Spread: TCU (-7)
- Moneyline: TCU (-255); Kansas (+215)
- Over/Under: 68 points
- Game time: 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, Kansas
- Predicted weather at kick: 55 degrees, Clear, 5 mph winds
In the preseason, this matchup might not have carried much luster. But now, it’s a College Game Day spectacle with legitimate conference-wide implications in the Big 12. Both Kansas and TCU are undefeated teams heading into this contest — Kansas at 5-0, TCU at 4-0 — and neither team seems too eager to add their first loss. Who will be the coach to come away from this victorious? Will it be upstart Power Five underdog Lance Leipold or offensive guru Sonny Dykes?
Prediction for TCU vs. Kansas
In total, Kansas QB Jalon Daniels and TCU QB Max Duggan have completed 143 of 201 passing attempts for 1,980 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just one interception. On the ground, they’ve combined for 478 additional yards and seven additional touchdowns. There might not be a more explosive QB matchup on the Week 6 college football slate. And for both signal callers, an undefeated season is at stake.
Football is, by all accounts, a team sport. But when things are close, it’ll be up to Daniels and Duggan to make the necessary plays for their teams. And looking at the rosters, a close game is what we should expect.
TCU has the edge in raw talent, especially on offense. Kendre Miller is a breakout star at RB, and the receiving core is incredibly deep with dynamic options, from Derius Davis and Taye Barber to Savion Williams and Quentin Johnston. But the cupboard is far from empty on Kansas’ side. The Jayhawks have a talented secondary led by Cobee Bryant and Kenny Logan Jr., and they have Miami (OH) transfer Lonnie Phelps providing pressure off the edge.
On the other side, the Horned Frogs will give the Jayhawks a similar challenge. Players like CB Tre’Vius Hodges-Tomlinson and LB Dee Winters are playing exceptionally well and could work to stymie Daniels through the air and on the ground. But a quietly strong Kansas line led by Earl Bostick Jr. and Mike Novitksy can give Daniels space, and by extension, a chance.
MORE: Top NFL Draft Prospects To Watch in Week 6
This game should linger fairly close to the spread and the over/under figures. But with their slight talent advantage and with how organized their defense has been playing this year, TCU has a good chance to sneak away with the win. It all ultimately comes down to Daniels and how impactful he can be. But although Daniels is incredibly talented, he has much more responsibility to shoulder than Duggan, and that could be what allows TCU to pull ahead.
At home, in an electric environment, Kansas will keep it close. And true to form with two undefeated opponents, this could truly go either way.
Prediction: TCU 37-35
Top DFS Picks and Fantasy Plays
The top values for all the meaningful players are available thanks to FanDuel.
- QB Jalon Daniels, Kansas: $6,900
- QB Max Duggan, TCU: $7,200
- RB Kendre Miller, TCU: $6,000
- RB Devin Neal, Kansas: $5,400
- RB Emani Bailey, TCU: $4,100
- RB Ky Thomas, Kansas: $3,900
- WR Quentin Johnston, TCU: $6,800
- WR Derius Davis, TCU: $6,300
- WR Lawrence Arnold, Kansas: $6,000
- WR Luke Grimm, Kansas: $5,100
- WR Taye Barber, TCU: $5,100
- WR Quentin Skinner, Kansas: $4,300
- WR Savion Williams, TCU: $4,200
- WR Jordan Hudson, TCU: $3,700
- TE Mason Fairchild, Kansas: $3,600
Both quarterbacks are solid values here, as this should be a high-scoring game where both offenses ramp up the final total. If you have to choose one between the two of them, go with Daniels at a slightly cheaper price. Daniels is more consistently dynamic on the ground and has the arm talent to stretch the field. But Duggan has been as productive as anyone this year and is also a good addition.
Kendre Miller is an obvious buy at $6,000. That’s less than the average player price, and Miller has been one of the most productive running backs in the league. He’s explosive and agile but also dense and compact, and he has the skill set to create and maximize lanes on the interior.
In fact, Miller might be the only buy at RB in this game, as Daniels siphons much of Kansas’ rushing production. Devin Neal does get opportunities, but $5,400 might be a bit much for an ancillary threat. The silver lining? He scores a touchdown on around 10% of his touches, so he’s worth a stash if you need to fill a spot.
In the receiving room, go with the value in this matchup on both sides. Quentin Johnston has tools that inspire awe in NFL Draft analysts, but Derius Davis has more consistently gotten open and fielded high-quality targets this year. Also, keep an eye on Taye Barber at $5,100 — another deep threat with big-play ability.
Additionally, Savion Williams is a massive buy-low candidate at $4,200. He has three catches and one touchdown in each of his last two games and brings similar size and athleticism to Johnston at 6’5″, 215 pounds. Especially in the red zone, he should see his name called.
On Kansas, there’s only one receiving option that’s clearly worth a spot here. Lawrence Arnold is significantly overpriced at $6,000, and the lower-priced options like Quentin Skinner and Mason Fairchild don’t have much reliability.
Luke Grimm, however, presents good value at $5,100. He’s had multiple receptions in every game this season and has logged at least four catches in three games. And with just two touchdowns to this point, the easy-separating 6’0″, 190-pound pass catcher could be due for a positive regression in the end zone.
