West Virginia vs Kansas Prediction: Mountaineers and Jayhawks Start Fresh in the Big 12

Originally posted on College Football News
By Pete Fiutak | Last updated Sep 19, 2025 3:51 PM ET

Well that just changed everything.

West Virginia lost to Ohio. It's a good Bobcat team that should win the MAC, but it's Ohio, not Ohio State.

Okay, fine. It's a reloading year for the Mountaineers under Rich Rodriguez, the team was fighting the good fight in the Backyard Brawl against Pitt down ten late in the third quarter, and then ...

West Virginia 31, Pitt 24 in an overtime thriller. Game on.

Now the Big 12 season kicks in, and the Mountaineers get this to start a run of three road games in four dates.

Kansas has been off for two weeks after the tough 42-31 loss to Missouri, and now it has to get on a roll with as easy an early slate as it gets for the Big 12 this year with this, Cincinnati, and UCF to get it all going.

West Virginia Mountaineers vs Kansas Jayhawks Game Preview

West Virginia vs Kansas How To Watch

Saturday, September 20, 2025
Game Time: 6:00 PM ET
TV: FS1
Location: David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS
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Why West Virginia Will Win

What went right in he thriller over the Panthers last week?

The team took over the narrative with 58 carries, and it all finally busted through when needed. Combine the Rich Rodriguez rushing attack with a devastating pass rush with 13 sacks in the first three games, and this should work against the Jayhawks.

Kansas has to keep defenses away from quarterback Jalon Daniels, and the Mountainers should be able to pressure him a bit.

On the other side, KU got rolled for 261 yards on the ground against Missouri, and those same big plays should bust through as the game goes on. But ...

Why Kansas Will Win

The two weeks off, even this early, should be a huge help.

The defense that couldn't stop the Mizzou attack in the second half should be tweaked and ready for the Mountaineer style, and the takeaways should follow.

The Jayhawks can get into the backfield, too.

West Virginia has turned it over seven times in the first three games, there are too many penalties, and Kansas has to capitalize on all of the mistakes.

Who Will Control the Clock and Tempo?

Kansas has been stunningly bad at converting third down chances, and West Virginia has been worse.

Rock chalk this up to the home side - sorry about that - with the rested Jayhawks doing a bit more to control the narrative to hold up against the Mountaineer ground game.

West Virginia vs Kansas Prediction, Betting Lines

Kansas 31, West Virginia 24
Line: Kansas -13.5, o/u: 54.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 3.5
Must See Rating: 3
- Predicting Every Remaining Game

Consensus Line from BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and FanDuel. Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

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This article first appeared on College Football News and was syndicated with permission.

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