When the Kansas JayHawks Will Play the Baylor Bears

Kansas football now knows when it will take the field for its next Big 12 matchup, as the Jayhawks are scheduled to host Baylor on Saturday, Oct. 24, at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon CT, and the game will be televised on TNT as part of Kansas' 114th Homecoming celebration.

The announcement gives Kansas a clear target as it looks to respond after its 35-24 loss to Kansas State in the Sunflower Showdown. The Jayhawks fell to 2-4 overall and 0-3 in Big 12 play following the defeat, making their upcoming home game an important opportunity to get back on track.

According to the official Kansas Athletics announcement, the matchup will be the fourth of six home games for Kansas this season. The Jayhawks have won their last four Homecoming games, giving them a positive recent trend to carry into next weekend.

Baylor enters the matchup with a 4-2 overall record and a 2-1 mark in conference play. The Bears have also won four of their last five games, according to Baylor Athletics. Baylor will arrive in Lawrence looking to continue its success against Kansas, having won 14 consecutive meetings in the series.

The early betting lines suggest the matchup could be much closer than the teams' records might indicate. According to The Action Network, Baylor opened as a 2.5-point favorite, while Kansas was listed as a 2.5-point underdog at home. The over/under was set at 53.5 points, with Baylor's moneyline at -134 and Kansas at +112.

Those numbers indicate that sportsbooks initially view Baylor as a slight favorite rather than a team expected to dominate. Kansas' home-field advantage could help keep the matchup competitive, particularly if the Jayhawks can improve their third-down efficiency and limit defensive breakdowns.

Kansas converted only three of 11 third-down attempts against Kansas State while allowing 568 yards of total offense. Improving in those areas will be critical against a Baylor team that has demonstrated the ability to produce points and win conference games.

For Kansas, Homecoming offers a chance to change the direction of its season. The Jayhawks will need a stronger all-around performance to protect their home field and secure their first Big 12 victory of the year.  Jayhawks Roundtable