Kansas heads to Fort Worth this weekend with a little wind at its back after a homecoming win over Baylor, but the betting market still sees a steep climb ahead. The Jayhawks opened as a 5.5-point underdog against TCU, and that number has moved to 6.5 in the Horned Frogs’ favor.
A big reason for that shift is the status of quarterback Isaiah Marshall. He was downgraded to questionable on Thursday’s injury report, and his availability matters because he has started all seven games for Kansas.
Marshall hasn’t always been crisp throwing the ball, but his legs have been a major part of what makes the Jayhawks’ offense go. If he can’t play, Kansas would lean even more heavily on Dylan Edwards, who has been the team’s workhorse on the ground this season.
The matchup sets up as a tough one for Kansas even beyond the quarterback situation. The Jayhawks are coming off an emotional victory over Baylor, a game in which special teams delivered two blocked kicks, including one that denied what would have been a game-winning Baylor field goal. Now they have to turn around and do it on the road in Fort Worth, where TCU’s home-field edge is one of the strongest in the Big 12.
TCU’s defense is the other major obstacle. The Horned Frogs rank No. 1 in the Big 12 in opponents’ points per game and opponents’ yards per game, which is a bad combination for a Kansas team that may be missing its starting quarterback.
Here are the final odds for Kansas vs. TCU in Week 9:
Spread
TCU: -6.5 (-106)
Kansas: +6.5 (-104)
Moneyline
TCU: -220
Kansas: +184
Total
O/U: 45.5 (-104/-118)
Kansas has momentum, but TCU’s defense and home-field advantage make this a difficult spot. If the game turns into a defensive battle, the edge goes to the Horned Frogs.
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Brauns night was about more than just the scoring burst, too. He helped make life difficult for Devin Booker, who finished with 20 points, and Nuggets coach David Adelman singled out Brauns confident shooting and all-around floor game afterward. For Kansas fans keeping tabs on their alums, it was the kind of update that stands out because it looked less like a hot streak and more like a player settling into a bigger role. [Read more 🡒]