Free NCAAF Pick: Bears vs. Jayhawks Odds
Looking for Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks Free NCAA Week 8 picks & NCAA odds? NCAAF betting sees the Bears taking on the Jayhawks on 10/24 at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, in Lawrence, KS. This free NCAA football pick is based on matchup analysis and documented handicapping data tracked by CappersPicks since 2004, with a focus on identifying the strongest betting angle for this Bears Jayhawks matchup.
2026 NCAAF Handicapping – Baylor Bears vs Kansas Jayhawks
(4-2) Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks (2-4)
Date: Oct 24, 2026
Time: 1:00 PM ET
Venue: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, KS
NCAAF Moneyline Odds: Bears -148 | Jayhawks +122 (Bet Now!)
Today’s NCAAF Spread Betting Odds: Bears -3 | Jayhawks +3
NCAAF Football Gambling Total: O/U: 53.5
Here’s why I’m backing a KU ATS bet below in my Bears Jayhawks free pick & gambling prediction for this matchup.
Bears vs. Jayhawks Gameday
The Baylor Bears visit the Kansas Jayhawks on Saturday, October 24, 2026, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET on TNT, truTV and HBO Max. Baylor enters at 4-2, while Kansas stands at 2-4.
Dave Aranda’s Bears are 2-1 in Big 12 play, but their latest performance raised offensive concerns. Baylor’s defense has been considerably more dependable.
That’s not an ideal combination for another conference road game.
Baylor brings the stronger record, but Kansas has home-field urgency and a struggling favorite to challenge.
Lance Leipold’s Jayhawks are 0-3 in conference play and return for their 114th Homecoming celebration. Kansas has won four straight Homecoming games and is 2-1 in Lawrence this season.
Baylor won its only true road game, while Kansas needs more consistent offensive execution.
It’s Week 8, Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks, hopefully we get a great matchup.
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Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks Odds & Previous Games
Baylor opened at -143 on the moneyline, with Kansas at +119. The Bears are favored by three points, and the opening total is 53.5.
Baylor lost 17-6 to TCU after beating Arizona State 55-19. The Bears also defeated Colorado 23-13, Louisiana Tech 36-19 and Prairie View A&M 44-3.
That TCU performance was a considerable step backward.
Kansas lost to Kansas State 35-24 and Utah 41-24. The Jayhawks beat Middle Tennessee 55-0 but fell to Arizona State 24-17 and Missouri 38-21.
Baylor leads the all-time series 19-4 with 14 consecutive victories. The Bears won 45-17 in 2024 and 35-23 in 2022.
Kansas last won in 2007. Baylor also dominated its previous visit to Lawrence, winning 45-7 in 2021.
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Jayhawks Stats
Kansas has scored 192 points through six games, averaging 32 per contest. The Jayhawks have generated 1,455 passing yards and approximately 1,243 rushing yards.
Dylan Edwards leads the ground attack with 375 yards and four touchdowns. Kansas has enough backfield speed to punish poor tackling.
Creating running lanes against Baylor will be another matter.
The Jayhawks have allowed 144 points, averaging 24 per game. Opponents have rushed for approximately 174 yards per contest.
Kansas has offensive weapons, but its run defense cannot afford another afternoon of missed assignments.
Kansas has recorded ten sacks and five fumble recoveries. However, its defensive front has struggled against physical rushing attacks.
Kansas State exposed that weakness with 359 rushing yards. Leipold needs considerably better tackling and gap discipline Saturday.
Bears Stats
Baylor has scored 180 points through six games, averaging 30 per contest. The Bears have accumulated 1,716 passing yards and approximately 901 rushing yards.
Dawson Pendergrass leads the rushing attack with approximately 327 yards, while Gavin Freeman has contributed 555 receiving yards.
There’s talent here, even when the execution gets ugly.
Baylor has surrendered only 88 points, averaging 14.7 per game. The Bears have generated 22 sacks, making their pass rush a significant strength.
They’ve also collected six interceptions and five fumble recoveries. Those takeaways have created valuable opportunities for the offense.
Baylor allows fewer than 90 rushing yards per game, presenting a difficult matchup for Kansas. However, the Bears’ offensive line allowed four sacks against TCU, exposing protection problems.
Bears vs. Jayhawks QB Matchup
Isaiah Marshall has thrown for 1,294 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions through six games. His 52.7% completion rate reflects inconsistent accuracy under pressure.
Marshall has also rushed for 372 yards, making him dangerous outside the pocket. His mobility helps Kansas extend drives when protection breaks down.
He’ll need that versatility against Baylor’s aggressive defense.
DJ Lagway has thrown for 1,116 yards and eight touchdowns through four appearances for Baylor. His completion rate sits at 50%, highlighting similar accuracy concerns.
Against TCU, Lagway completed 22 of 53 passes with an interception. Protection breakdowns and missed throws repeatedly stalled Baylor’s offense.
Both quarterbacks have explosive-play potential, but neither can afford careless mistakes.
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Nate Bennett has contributed 581 passing yards and six touchdowns, providing Baylor an experienced alternative. Lagway remains the expected starter.
Marshall must recognize pressure quickly rather than rely entirely on scrambling. Kansas needs manageable third downs to keep its offense moving.
Lagway could benefit from Kansas’ vulnerable run defense. Establishing the ground game would create easier passing opportunities.
Neither quarterback needs spectacular numbers. Protecting the football and avoiding negative plays will be more important.
Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks bottom line: Baylor’s defense presents a serious challenge, but Kansas has enough offensive versatility to make execution in the trenches decisive.
Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks Football Betting Trends
- The Bears have a strong record as favorites, winning 13 of their last 17 games.
- In away games, Baylor has seen the total go over in 16 of their last 22 contests.
- The Jayhawks have gone over the total in all three of their home games this season.
- Also, Kansas has performed well against the spread after a loss, covering 17 out of their last 30 games.
- Additionally, Baylor has a solid track record against the spread in away games, covering 14 of their last 25 games.
- Kansas has gone over the total in four of their last five games with totals set at 50 or more.
Bears Jayhawks Free Pick: Kansas +3
Here is my Bears Jayhawks free pick: Kansas +3. Baylor has the better record and defense, but I’m not interested in laying a field goal with an offense that just went completely flat against TCU. That’s a dangerous price for a road favorite.
Kansas has covered in 17 of its last 30 games following a loss, and this is a spot where I want the points. The Jayhawks have enough offensive production to keep Baylor from controlling the entire afternoon.
Homecoming alone doesn’t cash bets.
Baylor has to prove it can finish drives before I’ll lay three points away from Waco.
The Bears have been inconsistent moving the chains, and Kansas doesn’t need to dominate to exploit that. A couple of stalled Baylor possessions could keep this inside one score well into the fourth quarter.
I’m not buying Baylor at this number. Let the favorite sweat every possession. Give me Kansas +3.
Today’s Week 8 NCAAF Free Pick
Best Sportsbooks For Baylor Bears vs. Kansas Jayhawks NCAAF Gambling!
Kansas Jayhawks on X
Homecoming Weekend on deck!
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🗓️ Saturday, Oct. 24
⏰ 12 PM CT
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— Kansas Football (@KU_Football) October 19, 2026
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