It’s the Liberty Bowl, and Kansas is set to face Arkansas on Wednesday, Dec. 28. The game is scheduled for 5:30 pm ET while airing on ESPN. Arkansas enters this game as 2.5-point favorites with the total set at 68.5. How will this one play out? Let’s dive into the Kansas vs. Arkansas prediction for the Liberty Bowl below.
Liberty Bowl Odds: Kansas vs. Arkansas
- Spread: Arkansas -2.5
- Total: 68.5
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook. New to FanDuel? Check out our FanDuel Sportsbook Review to find out how to redeem a $1,000 risk-free bet!
Game Info
- Date: Wednesday, Dec. 28
- Time: 5:30 pm ET
- Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium – Memphis, TN
- TV: ESPN
Kansas Betting Trends
- Jayhawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 neutral site games.
- Over is 5-1 in Jayhawks last 6 games overall.
- Over is 4-1 in Jayhawks last 5 non-conference games.
Arkansas Betting Trends
- Razorbacks are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 vs. Big 12.
- Under is 5-0 in Razorbacks last 5 neutral site games.
- Under is 9-1 in Razorbacks last 10 bowl games.
Kansas vs. Arkansas Predictions
Wait, what? Kansas is actually in a bowl game?!? The Jayhawks were a surprise team this season, beating teams like West Virginia, Houston, and Iowa State en route to a 5-0 record. However, KU greatly regressed in the back half of the season, going 1-6 from that point on. So which version will show up for the Liberty Bowl? It really feels like those second-half struggles will carry into this contest, especially on defense.
Let’s be honest here, both defenses have been generous this season. Kansas ranks 121st in scoring defense, 126th in total defense, and 127th in opponent third-down conversions. Arkansas is somewhat better in those categories, but not by much, ranking 82nd in scoring defense, 121st in total defense, and 116th in opponent third-down conversions.
So what gives? Ultimately, it feels like Kansas won’t be able to stop Arkansas QB K.J. Jefferson and dynamic RB Raheim Sanders on the ground. The Jayhawks rank 103rd in opponent yards per carry and 119th in rushing defense. The Razorbacks run the ball at the tenth-highest rate in the nation, and they have had success on the ground against some legitimate defenses this season. This could be a back-and-forth game with plenty of points, but Arkansas should emerge victorious while controlling the game with its talented backfield.
The Pick: Arkansas -2.5 | -110 at FanDuel Sportsbook