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Kansas vs. Illinois Prediction, Odds, Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 2

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Kansas vs. Illinois Prediction, Odds, Key Players to Watch for College Football Week 2


Illinois and Kansas meet in a rematch of last year’s battle that saw Kansas cement itself as a Power Four contender while the Fighting Illini began a down year in 2023.

Now, the two meet in Champaign on Saturday night with Illinois looking to avenge a loss and looking to be far stronger on offense and keep up with the KU roster. Kansas will look to assuage some concerns about quarterback Jalon Daniels’ back, but will the team have the opportunity to do so against a sturdy Illinois defense?

Here’s how to bet this non conference showdown.

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Moneyline

Total:

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Kansas

Jalon Daniels: Daniels had an injury-riddled 2023 season, and the Jayhawks did a good job of keeping him fresh in a tune-up against Lindenwood in Week 1. The junior quarterback passed the ball only 15 times and didn’t have a rush. This will be our first look at him after a back injury cut his season short last season. Will Daniels be as dangerous in 2024? 

Illinois

Kaden Feagin: The new bell-cow back in the Illinois backfield is a load to handle. At 6’3”, 250 pounds, Feagin showed out in the team’s Week 1 blowout of Eastern Illinois, rushing for 108 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown. He’ll face a relatively unimpressive Kansas defensive line that lacks the size to stop the run game, the bottom half of the country in defensive line yards and yards per carry allowed. 

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Kansas rolled to a home win against Illinois last season with Daniels under center. 

The Jayhawks won 34-23 while racking up 539 yards to the Fighting Illini’s 341 yards, but I’m going to back the resurgent home underdog in this one. 

Illinois’ offense should be far improved this season with another year of Luke Altmyer under center and the emergence of Feagin as the lead running back. Feagin is a gigantic running back who can overwhelm an undersized Kansas defensive line that lacks the size to close up rushing lanes. The Jayhawks are counting on FCS transfers to fill the void of losing its best pass rusher from a year ago in Austin Booker. 

It also helps that Illinois’ offense seems more improved in the passing game as well with the emergence of Pat Byrant and Ole Miss transfer Zakhari Franklin.

Further, Illinois’ defense should be far improved relative to last season after replacing now Purdue head coach Ryan Walters as defensive coordinator as well as two pros in the secondary, including top-five pick Devin Witherspoon. 

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The Illini should be better in the secondary and limit the explosiveness from Kansas’ passing game. 

Further, I’m willing to pay to see Daniels show his full health that featured him as a dynamic dual-threat weapon in the unique KU offense, which is replacing Andy Kotelnecki as offensive coordinator. 

This is a big number to trust the Jayhawks, who enter with a few more questions than the home underdog. 

PICK: Illinois +5.5

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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Follow Reed on Twitter @ReedWallach and get all his college football bets on betstamp @rw33

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time

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Arizona-Kansas State free livestream: How to watch Big 12 basketball game, TV, time


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The No. 1 Arizona Wildcats play against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 basketball game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. CT on FS1. Fans can watch this game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.

The Arizona squad has played at a high level this season, as it enters this matchup with a 14-0 record. The team is coming off a 97-78 win against the Utah Utes.

In order to win tonight’s game, Arizona will need to rely on its forward Koa Peat. He leads the team in scoring this season, as he averages more than 14 points per game.

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The Kansas State squad enters this matchup with a 9-5 record, but the team is coming off an 83-73 loss against BYU.

In order to bounce back tonight, Kansas State will need a great performance from its guard P.J. Haggerty. He averages 23 points per game, which leads the team.

Fans can watch this Big 12 basketball game for free online by using the free trial offered by DirecTV. Alternatively, fans can purchase a monthly subscription offered by Fubo TV/Sling.



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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime

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TCU gives Kansas a scare, but Jayhawks erase 16-point deficit to survive in overtime


LAWRENCE, Kan. (AP) — Darryn Peterson scored 32 points, including three crucial free throws in regulation to tie the game, and No. 22 Kansas erased a double-digit deficit to outlast TCU 104-100 in overtime on Tuesday night.

Kansas (11-4, 1-1 Big 12) trailed by 16 points midway through the second half, but cut the TCU lead to three with 34 seconds left in regulation.

The Jayhawks’ next trip down the court was fruitless, leading to a foul and two free throws by TCU’s Liutauras Lelevicius. Kansas’ Flory Bidunga cut the lead back to three on a tip in with just over six seconds remaining.

After a turnover on the ensuing TCU inbounds play, the Jayhawks got the ball to Peterson, who drew a foul beyond the arc and knocked down all three free throws to tie the game at the end of regulation.

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Kansas held the lead throughout overtime and ultimately secured the game at the free-throw line, converting 9 of 11. TCU (11-4, 1-1) went 2 for 4 in the same frame. Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. scored nine of his 18 points during overtime.

Lelevicius led the Horned Frogs with a career-high 23 points. He shot 7 for 9 and hit five 3-pointers, another career high. He entered the game averaging just 8.5 points per game and shooting 35.8% from 3-point range.

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Lelevicius outscored sophomore David Punch, who recorded his 10th consecutive double-digit performance with 20 points. He also pulled down a team-high nine rebounds.

Tre White and Bidunga also finished in double figures for the Jayhawks, recording 22 and 16, respectively.

Up next

Kansas: Plays at West Virginia on Saturday.

TCU: Hosts Arizona on Saturday.

Find more TCU coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT

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Kansas State beats Iowa State for transfer portal FCS breakout DT


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MANHATTAN — Right when you thought Kansas State football might be done for the day, the Wildcats landed a seventh commitment from the transfer portal on Monday, Jan. 5.

Gardner-Webb defensive tackle De’Arieun Hicks committed to K-State, according to On3’s Pete Nakos. The 6-foot-4, 285-pounder has three years of eligibility and totaled 21 tackles, with 4.5 being for a loss in 2025.

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Hicks reportedly had a visit to Iowa State on Monday, after spending Jan. 3 with the Wildcats, and he chose to play football in Manhattan.

Hicks was a standout for the FCS program out of the Big South, playing 373 snaps and making four starts on the Runnin’ Bulldogs’ defensive line. He was the Big South’s sixth-highest graded defensive lineman, according to Pro Football Focus, with the league’s 12th-best pass rush grade.

Hicks totaled 10 pressures, with seven quarterback hurries and a pair of sacks across 12 games.

Out of high school in Richmond, Indiana, Hicks wasn’t given a grade by 247Sports.

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Kansas State was in desperate need of defensive linemen from the transfer portal following the departures of Malcolm Alcorn-Crowder and Andy Burburija, the latter of whom reopened his recruitment after initially signing with the Wildcats. The Wildcats also signed Adrian Bekibele, Kingston Hall and Carnell Jackson Jr. during December’s signing period.

Hicks’ size is certainly appealing, giving the Wildcats a solid prospect to develop. Given the Wildcats’ need at the position, Hicks could have an opportunity to get on the field quickly.

Hicks joins Oklahoma State running back Rodney Fields Jr., Texas A&M receiver Izaiah Williams, Illinois corner Kaleb Patterson, Oklahoma State linebacker Jacobi Oliphant, Miami (Ohio) safety Koy Beasley and Missouri offensive lineman Keiton Jones as those who committed to the Wildcats on Monday.

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

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