The Kansas Jayhawks enter their upcoming matchup against Oklahoma State as overwhelming 24.5-point favorites, to be exact. For a Big 12 game, that’s a massive spread, but given the current trajectory of both programs, it might actually make sense.
Kansas (4-4) is looking to bounce back after consecutive losses by exactly 25 points, while Oklahoma State (1–7) continues to spiral through another lost season. The Cowboys remain winless against FBS opponents this year and have yet to show signs of meaningful improvement, even under interim leadership.
Oklahoma State’s Struggles Continue
For a program that once stood as a model of consistency under former head coach Mike Gundy, Oklahoma State has hit rock bottom. The Cowboys haven’t won a conference game in nearly two full seasons and are staring down the possibility of back-to-back winless Big 12 campaigns, something almost unheard of for a Power Four program.
Even more telling, OSU hasn’t just been losing but they’ve been uncompetitive. The Cowboys are 1–7 straight up and 1–7 against the spread this season. The lone cover came in their first game after Gundy’s departure, a brief flicker of hope that quickly faded.
Interim head coach Doug Meacham has insisted that the team hasn’t given up, but the results on the field tell a different story. The Cowboys have been outmatched nearly every week, and their performances seem to worsen as the season goes on. There’s faint optimism that getting quarterback Zane Flores back this week could provide a spark, but against Kansas, that may not be enough.
Kansas Looking for a “Get-Right” Game
For Kansas, this game represents a chance to reset. After back-to-back blowout losses, the Jayhawks are eager to get back on track, regain confidence, and secure bowl eligibility for another season under head coach Lance Leipold.
Saturday’s matchup also carries extra motivation with it being their Homecoming in Lawrence. The Jayhawks have thrived in recent Homecoming games, winning their last three: a 42–14 victory over Houston in Kansas City last season, a stunning upset of No. 6 Oklahoma in 2023, and a win over Iowa State in 2022.
If history is any indication, Kansas tends to rise to the occasion on this weekend, and the Jayhawks will have every reason to come out sharp and focused.
The Bottom Line
A 24.5-point spread is enormous in any conference matchup, but with how these two teams are trending, it might not be enough. Kansas has the talent, the motivation, and the home-field advantage, while Oklahoma State is running out of answers, and time, to salvage anything from a disastrous season.
Unless the Cowboys find a way to rediscover some fight and consistency, Saturday could turn into yet another long afternoon for a program still searching for signs of life.