Missouri crosses into Lawrence for the first time since 2005 to face Kansas in a matchup between two teams sitting at 1-0 on FOX at 8 p.m. ET on FOX. When looking for the best college football bets today, this Missouri vs. Kansas showdown easily stood out as the top college football game on the slate today, Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.
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My Best College Football Bets Today
Here are my top three best college football bets today for Missouri-Kansas.
1. Kansas +5.5 (top play). I combine an underdog heading into a rivalry game, the Jayhawks having a mobile quarterback, and a Missouri backfield missing its engine as considerations going into this pick of Kansas covering.
2. Under 49.5. Both offenses continue to break in new quarterbacks with the backdrop of a hostile Friday night crowd rooting against Missouri.
3. Donovan Olugbode over on receiving yards. Olugbode posted seven catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns last week. With Ahmad Hardy out, expect Austin Simmons to lean on his top target early and often.
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How the Injury Report Impacts Best College Football Bets Today
Despite this only being the second game of the season for Missouri and Kansas, the injury reports are eventful on both sides and play a role in how I came up with my best college football bets today:
- Ahmad Hardy is out. Missouri's single season rushing record holder remains on the shelf as he recovers from an offseason gunshot wound to his upper leg.
- Cayden Green trends toward a return. The preseason All SEC left tackle practiced Monday and projects to suit up, restoring the Tigers front to near full strength.
- Malae Fonoti misses the season. A non contact ACL injury in the opener thins the Missouri backfield further, pushing Jamal Roberts and Xai'Shaun Edwards into heavy workloads.
Missouri vs. Kansas Series Context
- Missouri leads the all time series 57-55-9 and owns four straight in the rivalry
- Missouri won last year's meeting 42-31 in Columbia after trailing 21-6 early
- The over hits in four of the last seven meetings, so I respect the volatility
- Missouri is 4-3 against the spread in its last seven games versus Kansas
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Final Word
My verdict on the best college football bets today is to take Kansas +5.5 as the headline play and pair it with the under. Rivalry games in Lawrence rarely go quietly, and a shorthanded Missouri backfield on the road at night gives me every reason to side with the dog. That is how I attack the best college football bets today on this board.
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