Jayhawks favored over Wildcats for first time in 16 years

Over the course of a 16-year streak that features 16 straight wins for the Wildcats, K-State has been favored in all 16 games.
Published: Oct. 17, 2025 at 1:56 PM CDT|Updated: Oct. 20, 2025 at 11:37 AM CDT

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - The Kansas Jayhawks have already broken one streak ahead of next Saturday’s Sunflower Showdown.

Over the course of a 16-year streak that features 16 straight wins for the Wildcats, K-State has been favored in all 16 games.

But as the Jayhawks attempt to get their first win in the rivalry game for the first time since a 52-21 Jayhawk victory in 2008, KU is favored.

According to a lookahead line on DraftKings, Kansas is set to open as a 2.5-point favorite for next Saturday’s matchup. The Wildcats entered the season as one of the favorites to win the Big 12 and have disappointed en route to a 3-4 record.

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KU, at 4-3, would be favored for the first time since 2008, when the Jayhawks were 7.5-point favorites over Ron Prince’s Wildcat squad.

Over the last two seasons, the rivalry game has been more competitive. The Jayhawks have covered the spread in each of the past two seasons, losing by 2 and 4 points respectively.

Both teams have this weekend off, and will prepare next week for an 11 a.m. kickoff at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium.