Staff Predictions: #3 Texas Longhorns vs. #24 Kansas Jayhawks

Darrell K. Royal – Texas Memorial Stadium will feature a Top-25 matchup this weekend between the No. 3 Texas Longhorns (4-0, 1-0) and the No. 24 Kansas Jayhawks (4-0, 1-0).  Texas defeated Baylor 38-6 last week in the conference opener for both teams, while Kansas handled their business against BYU 38-27.  Saturday’s meeting marks the 22nd between these two programs and the first in which both are ranked.

Texas drummed Kansas to the tune of 55-14 last season in Lawrence, but Lance Leipold’s Jayhawks have started their second consecutive season 4-0 for the first time since the 1914-1915 seasons.  Led by quarterback Jalon Daniels, Kansas ranks 25th nationally in total offense and they aim to give a dominating Texas defense fits in hopes of a road upset win. 

On the Texas side of things, a win would mean the first 5-0 start for the program since the 2009 season.  It would also be the first 5-0 start to a season for Steve Sarkisian as a head coach.  The Longhorns appear to have found their rhythym on both sides of the ball and hope to continue their winning ways this week. 

Will they?

The HornSports Staff shares their thoughts and final score predictions on Saturday’s game against No. 24 Kansas.

Aaron Carrara (4-0)

What Lance Leipold has done in Lawrence is nothing short of spectacular and this Kansas team should be taken serious by opponents.  They shocked Sark and the Longhorns in Austin with a 1-point OT win two years ago and they beat the ‘Horns in Lawrence in 2016.  But…. this Texas team is different – primarily because the defense is playing at an elite level. They rank 16th in the country in run defense and they give up a meager 87 yards on the ground each game.  Texas will make Jalon Daniels beat them with his arm, something he certainly can do, but I think the Longhorn defense will be up to the task.  For the Longhorns, maintaining a strong running game behind Jonathon Brooks and CJ Baxter is imperative in this game.  Brooks has surpassed the century mark on the ground in his last two games and I look for him to add another this week against a Jayhawk defense that allows an average of just 93 on the ground. Texas wins this and heads to Dallas next week with an undefeated record and a big game against the Sooners.

Score Prediction:  Texas 38, Kansas 27

Jameson McCausland (3-1)

Defensively, Texas will face their toughest test of the season so far with Jalon Daniels and company coming to Austin. The Longhorns held Daniels in check last year in his first game back after a long absence from injury. Expect to see a different version of Daniels on Saturday in an offense that is explosive and returns almost everyone from 2022. 

For Kansas defensively, it’s tough to know how much progress has been made considering the offenses the Jayhawks have faced so far (Missouri State, Illinois, Nevada and BYU). Kansas turned over a good portion of their front 7 from last year and have a lot of new faces.

Texas has some clear advantages in this game, but Kansas is a good football team with a good coach. I’ll pick Texas to win but it might be closer than many expect.

Score Prediction:  Texas 35, Kansas 27

Todd Glawson (3-1)

Saturday night’s match-up with Kansas holds a bit more intrigue than it normally does, even though I’m fully aware that’s not saying much when it comes to Texas’ last decade of football. However, this is the first time in the history of the series – going back to 1901 – that both teams are ranked, and Texas’ only home loss ever to Kansas was the 57-56 heartbreaker in 2021 the last time the Jayhawks made their way to DKR. Those nasty memories haven’t faded for the burnt orange and two important players who helped serve up that cold dish are still playing for the fightin’ Leipolds in QB Jalon Daniels and RB Devin Neal. I know some are concerned with an exciting KU offense that’s incredibly efficient on third downs, but I like the way this game lines up for the Longhorns playing a ranked opponent the week before the Red River Showdown. They understand the focus has to be on this week instead of peeking around the corner at Oklahoma, especially for a Longhorn offense that’s been mostly asleep at the wheel for home games. I envision an outcome where the good guys continue to put a more complete team effort together and a big part of their victory comes from superiority in the trenches – on both sides of the ball – backed by a hot defense. Roll on 5-0. 

Score Prediction:  Texas 35, Kansas 20

Ryan Swantkowski (4-0)

It’s undefeated vs undefeated this week at DKR with the Horns coming off a dominant win against Baylor, and the Jayhawks taking care of business against BYU. Both these teams have high-powered offenses, with playmakers at QB especially, but their defenses and resumes differ a bit. Texas’ defense, in my opinion, will be the key to victory for the Longhorns this week at home, and Kansas just hasn’t faced strong enough competition for me to believe that they can win this one. That being said, expect the Jayhawks to keep it competitive throughout a majority of the game. 

Score Prediction:  Texas 45, Kansas 27

Marc Henry (2-1)

The upcoming matchup between the Texas Longhorns and the Kansas Jayhawks promises to be an exciting Big XII showdown in Austin. Let’s break down the key aspects of this game.

The Longhorns come into this game ranked as the third-best team in the country and remain unbeaten to keep their Big XII title hopes alive.  Quin Ewers, will need to be on his “A” game and his play will be pivotal for Texas. He needs to start the game strong and continue displaying the leadership he’s shown throughout the season and play with the swagger he had down in Waco versus Baylor last week.
Jonathon Brooks has been a standout player in the running game, setting the tone with his consistent play and he a stepped as the go-to guy in the Texas running game.

Xavier Worthy’s role as a deep threat combined with his ability to make the big play has been phenomenal, making him a lethal weapon in the Texas receiving corps. J. T. Sanders, has the potential to make a difference in crucial situations with his ability find soft spots in the defense and be a asset in the run game with his blocking.

The Longhorns’ defense faces a tough challenge in containing Jalon Daniels, who is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks they’ve encountered this season. Daniels is a true dual-threat quarterback, capable of making plays both through the air and on the ground. To secure a win at home, the Texas defense must execute sound assignments, maintain discipline and tackle well in open space. Limiting big plays will be crucial to preventing the Jayhawks from gaining momentum.

This game promises high stakes and excitement as the Longhorns aim to remain unbeaten against the formidable Kansas Jayhawks who come into this matchup 4-0 for the second consecutive year. The key to victory for Texas lies in Quinn Ewers’ ability to get his playmakers involed, as well as Texas’s offense being able to score consistently and their defense’s ability to contain the dynamic Jalon Daniels. 

Score Prediction:  Texas 34, Kansas 17

Devon Messinger (3-1)

On Saturday, the Kansas Jayhawks will soar into town to take on the Longhorns in a rare top-25 matchup that is not on the hardwood. But, Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold has done a tremendous job of turning around the Kansas football program and has his team poised to attack.

Defensively, this year’s Kansas team has been a surprise as they are the 21st-ranked defense in college football. Moreover, the Jayhwaks have been making plays on defense, creating seven turnovers through four weeks of play. Additionally, with the Big 12 Preseason Offensive Player of the Year in quarterback Jalon Daniels, the offense also has the potential to create havoc.

While Kansas has a talented roster, and was able to show that they have the ability to beat the Longhorns in 2021, this is Texas’s game to lose. Kansas’s run defense has looked stellar so far this year, only allowing nine yards on the ground to BYU last weekend, so there should be considerable pressure on Quinn Ewers to carry the load of the Texas offense this week.

Score Prediction:  Texas 34, Kansas 20

Dylan DeRaud (3-1)

Coming off one of their biggest tests in a heated rivalry game on the road and in front of a sold-out crowd, Texas was able to dominate Baylor, leaving no doubt and breaking their past track record of playing down to the competition. Kansas presents a whole different challenge for the Longhorns though. The Jayhawks boast an electric offense led by quarterback Jalon Daniels and running back Devin Neal. With them in the backfield, Kansas has been giving opposing teams fits on defense and is a significant reason why they are undefeated and ranked 24th in the country. However, the front seven for Texas, led by T’Vondre Sweat and Jaylan Ford, provides a mismatch for the Jayhawks. I suspect that the talent up front and in the linebacking corps will be able to slow down this Kansas running game, while Texas should be able to move the ball at will against this statistically average Jayhawk defense.

Score Prediction:  Texas 38, Kansas 24

Mitch Lovell (3-1)

This isn’t the Kansas team we are accustomed to seeing and will be the biggest test for Pete Kwiatkowski’s defense to-date. Kansas has some great skill players and possibly the best quarterback in the conference. Kansas will score points but ultimately Quinn Ewers will play his best game at home this year and Texas pulls away in the second half for the win.

Score Prediction:  Texas 42, Kansas 21