Kansas vs. Oklahoma State Week 9 Picks: Cowboys Take Aim at Jayhawks

The Kansas Jayhawks are in a freefall, while the Oklahoma State Cowboys saw their undefeated streak snapped last week. This one looks like a mismatch, but we dive in with our Kansas vs Oklahoma State picks.

Kansas enters this matchup with six straight losses but its last performance was better than expected. The Jayhawks were 38-point home underdogs to No. 3 Oklahoma but it wasn’t the blowout everyone was anticipating. Kansas did a serviceable job of containing the Oklahoma juggernaut and the offense overachieved as well. Oklahoma notched a 35-23 victory but those who backed Kansas against the spread got an easy cover.

Oklahoma State had been notching wins and covering the number with relative ease until catching wind of the Iowa State Cyclones last week. Entering that contest with a perfect 6-0 record and 4-2 ATS mark, the Cowboys were 7.5-point road dogs and hung tough throughout until Iowa State hit paydirt with 5:29 remaining to claim a 24-21 win. The loss tarnished Oklahoma State’s pristine record but it was a cover at the betting window for Cowboys backers.

Here are my picks and predictions for the college football Week 9 matchup between Kansas and Oklahoma State (odds via DraftKings Sportsbook; pick confidence based on a 1-to-5-star scale).

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State Game Info

Date/Time: Saturday, October 30, 7 p.m. ETTV: FS1Location: Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, OKWeather: 67 degrees, 0 percent chance of precipitation

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State Odds Analysis

The college football odds at many of the best online sportsbooks released Oklahoma State as a 31-point home favorite but that number has dipped ever so slightly as of this midweek writing. Across the board we see most books listing the Cowboys as 30.5-point favorites while DraftKings is perhaps the least bullish on the big home faves, dealing Oklahoma State -30 (-110). 

Not surprisingly, the total has dipped about half a point as well. It was initially released at 56 and now settles at 54.5 at many books. However, DraftKings is again standing alone in maintaining the line at 55, although they are getting you to pay for the privilege if you want to go low by charging you a -115 premium.

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State Betting Picks

Kansas +30.5 (-110) ???Under 55 (-115) ??

SEE ALSO: Top College Football Week 9 Opening Lines and Picks

Kansas vs. Oklahoma State Betting Predictions

Kansas +30.5 (-110)

Kansas played its most competitive game of the season against a national powerhouse and didn’t get blown out. The Jayhawks lost by a respectable 12 points and contained a prolific Sooners offense.

The team they are facing on Saturday averages a modest 25.7 points per game. Sure, Oklahoma State will likely score above that on Saturday against a rather porous Kansas defense, but it's one that appears to be improving. 

I say Kansas stays within the margins in this one. Grab the points.

Under 55 (-115)

Oklahoma State will put the clamps on the Jayhawks offense which means at least one team will be scoring low. However, we have no evidence that the Cowboys will be shooting their way out of Stillwater on Saturday because that’s just not how this team is built. 

Let’s look for a game that will be burning and churning on the ground, which will chew up the clock and keep this total low. Bet Under 55.

SEE ALSO: College Football Week 9 Power Rankings

Picks made 10/27/2021 at 2 p.m. ET.