Game Information
Missouri Tigers (1-0) vs Kansas Jayhawks (2-0)
Time: 2:30pm CT Saturday
How to watch: ESPN2
DraftKings Odds
Spread: Mizzou -6.5
Total: 50.5
The Border War is back as the Missouri Tigers and Kansas Jayhawks renew their rivalry on Saturday in Columbia.
The Tigers demolished Central Arkansas 61-6 in their season opener last week, while the Jayhawks are 2-0 after posting home wins over Fresno State and Wagner to open the season.
It’s all systems go for Beau Pribula as Mizzou’s starting quarterback after Sam Horn suffered an injury last week. Pribula put up terrific numbers, but the Tigers had some inconsistencies on the offensive line against an FCS school that have me concerned heading into this matchup with Kansas.
Similarly on the other side, there is also worry among the KU faithful about the quality of their offensive line - especially against an excellent Missouri defensive front that could very well prove to be the strength of the team.
As a 6.5 point favorite, this is a game the Tigers should win. But as we saw in some of the big college football games last weekend, experience at the quarterback position matters - and KU has one of the most experienced quarterbacks in the country in Jalon Daniels, who is in his sixth season with the Jayhawks.
With Daniels’ experience and Pribula still needing to prove himself as the main man against quality competition, I don’t have enough confidence to lay the points with Mizzou.
Instead, I think the best look for this game is the under.
With both offensive lines showing some cracks, I think the defenses can get after Daniels and Pribula and cause some problems.
And after the season-ending injury to Blake Craig, the Tigers have an unproven kicker in Robert Meyer. Meyer converted all four of his extra points last week, but he did not attempt a field goal and could prove to be an important figure in this high-pressure game. If he struggles, that helps the under as well.
Both Kansas games this season have gone under the total. Look for that trend to continue on Saturday.
Lean: Under 50.5 at -105 on DraftKings
Eric Sontag hosts Domesticated Gamblers every Wednesday night on the STL Sports Central YouTube channel. Follow him on X @GamblingDads, and click here for his daily picks on all of our St. Louis area sports teams. Picks = betting the game - minus odds betting to win 1 unit, plus odds risking 1 unit. Leans = no strong opinion, not betting the game. Disclaimer