LAWRENCE
The Kansas Jayhawks football team has one last chance to clinch bowl eligibility on Friday.
Kansas will end the regular season at home against No. 14-ranked Utah.
Friday’s game will also be senior day for the Jayhawks, who need to beat the Utes (9-2, 6-2 Big 12) to earn a bowl berth. Kansas (5-6, 3-5 Big 12) also looks to end a two-game losing streak.
Here’s more to know about this week’s Jayhawks football game:
KU football vs. Utah: game details
Kickoff: 11 a.m. Friday, Nov. 28
Where: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium (Lawrence, Kansas)
TV: ESPN
Radio: Jayhawk Radio Network; WHB (810) in Kansas City
Betting line: Utah is an 11.5-point favorite.
Kansas-Utah game prediction
It’s hard see the Jayhawks winning this game.
Utah has plenty to play for. The Utes are a college football playoff contender and almost lost to K-State last weekend, so there’s no doubt they will come out sharp.
On top of that, Utah is just a much better team all-around. The Utes’ offense will pose massive problems for a KU defense that has struggled all season.
Utah ranks No. 6 out of 136 teams in points scored per game (42). The biggest issue for KU is that the Jayhawks rank No. 14 in the Big 12 in opponent rushing yards per game. That is arguably the biggest strength for the Utes’ offense: They average 279.6 rushing yards and 3.4 rushing touchdowns per game.
It’s unlikely that Kansas will be slowing down this offense much. And that will put pressure on Jalon Daniels and KU’s offense. It will be difficult for Kansas to score against a stout Utah defense.
The Utes rank No. 17 in points allowed per game (18.5) and I don’t think Kansas will score enough to keep up.
Unfortunately, for KU fans, I believe the Jayhawks’ season ends Friday.
Prediction: Utah 42, Kansas 28
Shreyas’ pick to cover: Utah (-11.5)
Season record: 8-3
Season record (ATS): 5-6.
Related Stories from Kansas City Star
Shreyas Laddha
The Kansas City Star
Shreyas Laddha covers KU hoops and football for The Star. He’s a Georgia native and graduated from the University of Georgia.
