The Missouri Tigers travel to Lawrence on Friday night for the second installment of the renewed Border War. It’s the first visit to David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium since 2005. Both teams sit 1-0 after comfortable openers against FCS opposition. So, this is the first genuine measuring stick of the season for each program.
Last week, Missouri opened with a 54-14 College Football Odds win over Arkansas-Pine Bluff behind new starting quarterback Austin Simmons. He is the Ole Miss transfer who won the job in the spring. Jamal Roberts handled the bulk of the running game.
At the same time, Ahmad Hardy continues his recovery from an offseason shooting. The Tigers enter ranked No. 25 and are slight favorites. Specifically around 6.5 points, with a total hovering near 51.5. Eli Drinkwitz’s club has won the last four meetings.
Meanwhile, Kansas answered with a 51-6 victory over Long Island, giving redshirt sophomore Isaiah Marshall his first extended look as the starter. Marshall won the job over Cole Ballard largely because of his dual-threat athleticism. Since 2008, Lance Leipold’s Jayhawks have not beaten Missouri. They will be playing in a renovated home stadium under the lights with a national FOX audience.
Of course, the atmosphere should be charged. Friday night, the 25th anniversary of September 11, the first Lawrence meeting in two decades. And it features two new quarterbacks trying to establish themselves. Accordingly, Missouri has more returning production and a deeper roster on paper. But rivalry games in this series have a habit of ignoring the form guide.
Missouri Tigers vs. Kansas Jayhawks NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Friday, September 11, 2026, 8:00 PM ET. |
|---|---|
| Location: | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas. |
| TV Coverage: | FOX |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri Tigers | -5½ ( -105 ) | 50½ ( -110 ) | -222 |  |
| Kansas Jayhawks | +5½ ( -115 ) | 50½ ( -110 ) | +180 | |
| ||||
The Missouri Tigers visit the Kansas Jayhawks on Friday, September 11, 2026, with kickoff at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The game will be played at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, Kansas, and will air nationally on FOX. This is the first Offshore Betting meeting in Lawrence since 2005, after the rivalry resumed last year.
Tigers vs Jayhawks Analysis
Missouri’s offense under new coordinator Chip Lindsey will try to dictate the terms with a physical run game. And a quarterback who can push the ball downfield. Namely, Austin Simmons showed enough in the opener to suggest he can operate the scheme. And Jamal Roberts already looks capable of carrying the College Football Betting load. Ahmad Hardy is working his way back.
The Tigers’ offensive line, anchored by left tackle Cayden Green, should give them a chance to control the line of scrimmage. Especially against a Kansas front that is still finding its identity after significant turnover.
Kansas will counter with a quarterback who won the job because he can make defenses account for his legs. Correlate that Isaiah Marshall’s mobility is the one element that can keep this game from becoming a track meet Missouri controls. Certainly, the Jayhawks need him to extend plays, hit the occasional deep shot, and avoid the negative plays that turn a close rivalry game into a two-score deficit.
The KU offensive line will be tested immediately. Cause by Missouri’s defensive front is built to collapse the pocket and limit explosive runs.
SBG Free Picks
To conclude, the side is the cleaner play. Missouri simply has more talent and more returning production. Additionally, Austin Simmons already looks capable of operating Chip Lindsey’s offense. Kansas is breaking in a first-year starter in Isaiah Marshall. KU still has holes on the defensive line. Six and a half points is not a huge number for a team that should control the line of scrimmage and the clock.
SBG Best Bet: Missouri Tigers.