Kansas Jayhawks vs Kansas State Wildcats Preview: Odds, Spread, Kickoff & TV (October 17, 2026)

The Kansas Jayhawks (2-3) visit the Kansas State Wildcats (3-2) on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET, and the game airs on FS1. DraftKings lists the spread at KSU -6 with a total of 55.5; moneylines are Kansas +190 · Kansas State -230. Below is our Kansas vs Kansas State preview with the latest odds, point spread, moneyline, over/under, kickoff time, TV channel and where to watch, plus a look at each team’s season so far, head coach and key players. Lines may move before kickoff.

Kansas vs Kansas State Odds, Spread, Kickoff Time & TV

Matchup detail Line / info
Matchup Kansas at Kansas State
Records Kansas 2-3 · Kansas State 3-2
Spread KSU -6
Moneyline Kansas +190 · Kansas State -230
Total 55.5
Venue Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS
Date/Time Saturday, October 17, 2026 · 12:00 PM ET
TV / How to Watch FS1
Head Coaches Kansas: HC Lance Leipold, OC Andy Kotelnicki / Matt Lubick · Kansas State: HC Collin Klein, OC Sean Gleeson

Kansas Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players

Season so far: The Kansas Jayhawks are 2-3 overall, 0-2 in Big 12 play. Results to date: Sep 4 — W 51-6 vs Long Island University; Sep 11 — L 38-21 vs Missouri; Sep 19 — L 24-17 vs Arizona State (neutral site); Oct 3 — W 55-0 vs Middle Tennessee; Oct 10 — L 41-24 at Utah. Most recently, Kansas lost to Utah 41-24 on the road. Through 5 games, Kansas is averaging 33.6 points scored and 21.8 points allowed per game.

Head coach: Lance Leipold (head coach since 2021). Offensive coordinators: Andy Kotelnicki / Matt Lubick. Defensive coordinator: D.K. McDonald.

Key players (2026 season stats):

  • Passing leader: Isaiah Marshall (QB) — 76/141, 1,143 yards, 8 TD, 4 INT
  • Rushing leader: Dylan Edwards (RB) — 59 carries, 318 yards, 3 TD
  • Receiving leader: Nik McMillan (WR) — 18 receptions, 345 yards, 3 TD
  • Sacks leader: Leroy Harris III (DE) — 3 sacks
  • Tackles leader: Trey Lathan (LB) — 33 total tackles

Strengths: An offense averaging 33.6 points per game. Questions: The response to a 41-24 loss at Utah.

Kansas State Preview: Season So Far, Coach & Key Players

Season so far: The Kansas State Wildcats are 3-2 overall, 0-2 in Big 12 play. Results to date: Sep 5 — W 71-3 vs Nicholls; Sep 12 — W 34-7 vs Washington State; Sep 19 — W 31-20 vs Tulane; Sep 26 — L 31-26 at Cincinnati; Oct 10 — L 35-16 vs Houston. Most recently, Kansas State lost to Houston 35-16 at home. Through 5 games, Kansas State is averaging 35.6 points scored and 19.2 points allowed per game.

Head coach: Collin Klein (first season in charge). Offensive coordinator: Sean Gleeson. Defensive coordinator: Jordan Peterson.

Key players (2026 season stats):

  • Passing leader: Avery Johnson (QB) — 104/163, 1,092 yards, 9 TD, 3 INT
  • Rushing leader: Avery Johnson (QB) — 39 carries, 330 yards, 3 TD
  • Receiving leader: Jaron Tibbs (WR) — 20 receptions, 201 yards, 2 TD
  • Sacks leader: Wendell Gregory (DE) — 2.5 sacks
  • Tackles leader: Logan Bartley (S) — 27 total tackles

Strengths: An offense scoring 35.6 points per game; a defense holding opponents to 19.2 points per game. Questions: The response to a 35-16 loss to Houston.

How to Watch Kansas vs Kansas State

  • Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026
  • Kickoff: 12:00 PM ET
  • Venue: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS
  • TV / Streaming: FS1

Odds: DraftKings lines reported via ESPN as of October 12, 2026 2:12 AM PT (Arizona time). Lines may move before kickoff. Records, results and season stats via ESPN; coaching staffs per 2026 staff listings. This page is an informational matchup preview only.