No. 12 Utah returns home Saturday night when the Utes welcome Kansas to Rice-Eccles Stadium for a Big 12 matchup under the lights in Salt Lake City. Utah enters Week 6 at 4-0 overall and 1-0 in Big 12 play after having last weekend off. The Utes have looked like one of the conference’s top teams through the first month of the season, including an impressive 31-17 road win over Iowa State in their Big 12 opener. Kansas, meanwhile, heads to Salt Lake City at 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.
Utah quarterback Devon Dampier has been one of the Big 12’s most efficient quarterbacks, while running back Wayshawn Parker has emerged as another major weapon for the Utes. Kansas now faces the difficult task of slowing them down in one of the toughest road environments in the conference.
Can Kansas pull off a major road upset and shake up the Big 12 race, or will Utah remain undefeated and continue building its College Football Playoff resume?
Here’s everything you need to know about Kansas vs. Utah, including the latest odds, our biggest question and our prediction and pick for Saturday’s Week 6 matchup.
Utah vs. Kansas Odds
- Spread: Utah -15.5
- Over/Under: 50.5
- Moneyline: Utah -780/Kansas +530
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Is Kansas’ Defense for Real?
Despite their 2-2 start, Kansas’ defense may be one of the more underrated defenses in the country so far this season. KU is No. 20 in the country in yards allowed per play. The Jayhawks’ total defense ranks No. 1 in the Big 12, allowing just 244 yards per game. Now some of this is skewed by only having four games, and playing two of them against LIU and Middle Tennessee State. I get that and won’t dispute it. But how many would have predicted to have the No. 1 Total Defense in the Big 12 Conference in the month of October? D.K. McDonald has done a nice job with this unit, with LeRoy Harris and David Santiago leading the way so far in Lawrence.
Utah vs. Kansas Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Utah 35, Kansas 17
As much as Kansas has shown some impressive early-season data points I highlighted above, I can’t take them in this spot against what has been the most consistent and solid team in the Big 12 Conference so far this season. Oh, and they’re coming off the bye, and haven’t yet even implemented much of this offense led by Devon Dampier, with Byrd Ficklin waiting in the wings, but also having a special package that throws defenses for a loop. Utah is No. 1 in the country in Net Yards Per Play (difference between Offense and Defense), while ranking No. 3 in offensive yards per play and No. 8 in defensive yards allowed per play. Kansas had 480 rushing yards last week vs. Middle Tennessee State. That’s juicing all the numbers going into this game for KU. Against Missouri, a much better comp, the Jayhawks racked up a total of 80 rushing yards on 36 carries (2.2 ypc). Kansas’ defense is not getting to the quarterback (last in sacks) and not forcing turnovers (15th in interceptions). Dampier is going to get in a grove and have his way in front of the home crowd. Isaiah Marshall is going to have a tough time getting anything going in the passing game vs. Jackson Bennee, Rabbit Evans and Co., and that will lead to a running game that won’t find many holes either. The late-night start does not help KU either. Utah rolls.
Utah wins. Utah covers.
