TCU, one of the most successful college football programs over the past four seasons, makes its Big 12 debut on Saturday opposite Charlie Weis’ Kansas Jayhawks (12:00pm ET start time, FX Network). TCU vs Kansas Odds are anticipating a Horned Frogs route with Gary Patterson’s squad presently listed as a -21 against the spread road favorite. The game total in this conference tilt is set at 59.5 points.

TCU has played one fewer game than this weekend’s opponent, but the Jayhawks probably wish that were not the case given how they finished up against Rice. Kansas, which won its opener 31-17 over FCS South Dakota State, held a 24-13 over the Owls in the third quarter of last weekend’s game, but it managed to throw its way out of a victory.

Dayne Crist completed 16-of-28 passes for 144 yards, one touchdown, and two picks in his second start for the Jayhawks. It is probably safe to assume Charlie Weis expected better play from his former Notre Dame signal caller when he brought the young man to Kansas. It is imperative that he get a better showing out of Crist this weekend if the Jayhawks hope to avoid being utterly embarrassed on their home turf.

Many have speculated this year’s version of the Horned Frogs will have difficulty living up to the standard of recent TCU squads, but that did not appear to be the case when they faced Grambling State last weekend. Granted, the Frogs beat up on an inferior program, but they did so with the greatest of ease, topping the Tigers 56-0 in Fort Worth.

TCU produced 26 first downs and 531 total yards while quarterbacks Casey Pachall and Trevone Boykin combined to complete 17-of-17 passes for 276 yards and four touchdowns. The Horned Frogs defense held Grambling State to five first downs and 70 yards of offense.

Impressive numbers but Patterson is, no doubt, aware that Kansas, despite its recent struggles, will present a bigger challenge than Grambling State. Saturday represents Weis’ first game as a Big 12 coach as well, and it is fair to speculate that Kansas’ collapse against Rice had something to do with the team and its coaching staff peeking ahead to this weekend’s meeting with the Horned Frogs.

Free Pick: Take the Over 59.5 points. The Over is 7-0-1 over the last three years when TCU played as a -10.5 or more favorite in the month of September.

TCU vs Kansas Odds:

TCU Horned Frogs -21 (-110), Over 59.5 (-110)

Kansas Jayhawks +21 (-110), Under 59.5 (-110)

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