After a very exciting slate in Week 1, Week 2 has more marquee matchups. Friday will give fans a taste of college football after the NFL season kicks off on Wednesday and Thursday, and the matchup between the Kansas Jayhawks and Missouri Tigers, also known as the Border War, could be super exciting.
The Tigers are trying to enter borderline SEC championship contention under Eli Drinkwitz. He's earned a winning record in every season since 2022. The Tigers have become a pesky team to play against during his tenure, but they haven't made an SEC championship game or the College Football Playoff in his tenure. They had a 54-14 win against the Football Championship Subdivision Arkansas Pine-Bluff Lions, but there's still much of the season to go to establish
contention.
The Jayhawks are trying to enter darkhorse Big 12 contention again after going 5-7 the last season. Leipold, like Drinkwitz, has never coached the Jayhawks to a Big 12 title game. The closest the Jayhawks got was in 2023, when they went 9-4 and won the Guaranteed Rate Bowl. However, with two straight 5-7 seasons, Leipold might be on the hot seat if he isn't able to come through this season for Kansas.
If you are looking for some betting advice for the matchup, we've got you covered. Here are the latest odds for the game, courtesy of BetMGM.
Missouri vs. Kansas game odds
All college football odds via BetMGM
Over-Under: Over 50.5 (-110), Under 50.5 (-110)
Spread: Missouri -5.5 (-110), Kansas +5.5 (-110)
Money Line: Missouri -220, Kansas +180
Missouri vs. Kansas prediction, pick:
Missouri has been a stingy team to play against, but something that has held them back in the past is inconsistent (and injury-prone) quarterback play. Austin Simmons looks like he can change that. The gunslinger went 17-of-19 for 252 yards and four touchdowns, which, even against an FCS team, is solid. Against Kansas's defense, which has been shelled by good quarterback play a lot recently, Simmons could feast.
While I have questions about the Kansas secondary, their pass rush could make Simmons uncomfortable. Missouri's offensive line is good (like it is all the time in the Drinkwitz era), but the Jayhawk pass rush is very talented and can get into the backfield against anybody.
It also doesn't help Missouri that they're still without all-world running back Ahmad Hardy, who's still recovering from a gunshot wound he suffered at a concert. The backs behind him are solid, but they didn't dominate the run game against Arkansas Pine-Bluff like they should've.
It'll be a lot of fun seeing one of the more underrated rivalries take place, but even with Missouri looking slightly worse than last season, I still think they'll win. It'll be a firefight, and both teams could approach 350 yards of offense, but Missouri will win in a shootout.
Score Prediction: Missouri 35, Kansas 31
Best Bet: Over 50.5
Missouri vs. Kansas channel, start time, streaming:
Date: Friday, Sept. 11, 2026
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV Channel: Fox
Live Stream: Fox One, FuboTV
Watch Missouri vs. Kansas on FuboTV (Free Trial)
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This article originally appeared on College Sports Wire: Missouri vs. Kansas: Week 2 Betting Odds, Prediction
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