Kansas at West Virginia - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Kansas Jayhawks at West Virginia Mountaineers

West Virginia logo
Saturday, November 14th 2026 (12:00 PM EST)
Field at Milan Puskar Stadium - Morgantown, WV  (Big 12)

 
Jayhawks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Leipold (27 - 35)
Avg Score : 28 - 27 (22 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 6.1 (#61)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
KU is playing their 7th straight game
Our Line: Kansas -1  (SP+ KU -11)

Projected Score: KU: 28 - WVU: 27 (54)
KU Win prob: 48% | Cover: 46%
KU Travel: 818 miles, 1 hrs behind
Mountaineers (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Rich Rodriguez (64 - 34)
Avg Score : 22 - 31 (23 - 28 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 5 - 7 (#71)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 4) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 2)
 
Kansas's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/4 Kansas vs Long Island University-27.5
Sat 9/12 Kansas vs Missouri+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kansas at Arizona State+5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Kansas vs Middle Tennessee-23.5
Sat 10/10 Kansas at Utah+16.5
Sat 10/17 Kansas at Kansas State+6.5
Sat 10/24 Kansas vs Baylor-2
Sat 10/31 Kansas at TCU+8
Sat 11/7 Kansas vs UCF-2
Sat 11/14 Kansas at West Virginia-1
Sat 11/21 Kansas vs BYU+11
Sat 11/28 Kansas at Oklahoma State-4

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kansas's Schedule
West Virginia's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 West Virginia vs Coastal Carolina-17
Sat 9/12 West Virginia vs UT Martin-24
Sat 9/19 West Virginia vs Virginia+8.5
Sat 9/26 West Virginia vs Oklahoma State-5.5
Sat 10/3 West Virginia at Iowa State+9.5
Sat 10/10 West Virginia vs Arizona+6.5
Sat 10/17 West Virginia vs Cincinnati-0
Sat 10/24 West Virginia at TCU+11.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 11/7 West Virginia at Texas Tech+29.5
Sat 11/14 West Virginia vs Kansas+1
Sat 11/21 West Virginia vs Houston+5
Sat 11/28 West Virginia at Utah+20

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 4, Avg 3, Bad 1, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for West Virginia's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU#26 (.25)48% (13)28.151% (6)3.53 (3)17046% (31)2203.94 (47)#121 (.25)42% (69)26.841% (62)42% (71)4.24 (120)39.81.10.8
WVU#118 (.07)37% (121)21.839% (113)2.66 (118)16134% (130)1893.53 (86)#63 (.16)40% (54)30.839% (36)43% (80)3.9 (91)561.51.7
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
WVU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Offense1228.121.848.4%3.941.1213901702204.851%47%51%46%14%.25
WVU Defense1230.828.240.5%3.91.7 - - - - - 49%49%39%43%18%.16
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Defense1226.833.241.7%4.240.8 - - - - - 51%48%41%42%18%.25
WVU Offense1221.822.736.8%3.531.5193501611893.757%42%39%34%16%.07

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kansas1230:4020.639%57%539.81.10.86.32129.1
West Virginia1226:1818.830%45%5.8561.51.76.72.4128.3
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Offense1251% (53)51% (6)35.5169.84.817 (99).22 (19)3.53 (3)84% (3)9% (44)0.87 (111)
WVU Defense1249% (60)39% (36) - - - - .02 (25)2.42 (8)73% (80)12% (12)0.95 (64)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Defense1251% (78)41% (62) - - - - .13 (87)2.84 (57)77% (110)11% (25)1.1 (125)
WVU Offense1257% (20)39% (113)43.6160.73.722 (36)-.02 (126)2.66 (118)62% (121)10% (103)0.89 (101)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Offense1247% (87)46% (31)17.628.82207.712.523 (8)8 (7).32 (45)1.5 (76)28% (20)32% (41).27 (81)6% (55)1.8 (120)
WVU Defense1249% (82)43% (80) - - - - - - 11 (22).33 (104)1.7 (125)34% (27)33% (112).42 (121)6% (69)2.1 (110)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Defense1248% (67)42% (71) - - - - - - 4 (75).39 (122)1.7 (126)34% (34)33% (103).43 (124)7% (43)2.2 (125)
WVU Offense1242% (116)34% (130)1627.3188.96.911.810 (128)11 (88).2 (99)1.7 (24)30% (53)26% (116).21 (99)6% (55)2.1 (52)

Kansas's Power Ratings
Kansas's Power Rating: 3.41  #65
Kansas's Offense Rating: 15.26  #53
Kansas's Defense Rating: 16.85  #75
2026 Talent Rating: 790.00  #63
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #57
Kansas's 2026 Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Kansas's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.1  #58
Kansas's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.9  #48
Kansas's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.5  #76

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 3.41   West Virginia: 2.835

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 4.1   West Virginia: -6.8




West Virginia's Power Ratings
West Virginia's Power Rating: 2.835  #49
West Virginia's Offense Rating: 14.78  #59
West Virginia's Defense Rating: 12.31  #45
2026 Talent Rating: 926.00  #27
Blue Chip Ratio: 3  #64
West Virginia's 2026 Expected Record: 5.0 - 7.0
West Virginia's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: -6.8  #93
West Virginia's Offense SP+ Rating: 22.8  #102
West Virginia's Defense SP+ Rating: 30.0  #91

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Kansas Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.8
Defense: 26.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.2

Kansas's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Kansas 28
West Virginia 27


Projected Total Points: 54
West Virginia Scoring
Offense: 21.8 PPG
Offense at Home: 22.7
Defense: 30.8 PPG
Defense at Home: 28.2

West Virginia's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202509/20Kansas41West Virginia10Kansas -12.5Kansas54.5Under
202409/21West Virginia32Kansas28West Virginia -1.5West Virginia56.0Over
202209/10West Virginia42Kansas55West Virginia -14Kansas59.5Over
202111/27Kansas28West Virginia34West Virginia -15.5Kansas55.5Over
202010/17West Virginia38Kansas17West Virginia -21.5Kansas49.0Over
201909/21Kansas24West Virginia29West Virginia -4.5West Virginia49.0Over
201810/06West Virginia38Kansas22West Virginia -27Kansas61.0Under
201709/23Kansas34West Virginia56West Virginia -24Kansas70.5Over
201611/05West Virginia48Kansas21West Virginia -32Kansas53.5Over
201511/21Kansas0West Virginia49West Virginia -28West Virginia56.0Under
201410/04West Virginia33Kansas14West Virginia -23.5Kansas0
201311/16Kansas31West Virginia19West Virginia -7.5Kansas0
201212/01West Virginia59Kansas10
TeamWinsCoversO/U
West Virginia1037 Overs
Kansas393 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams8 - 55 - 72 - 53 - 2
Road Teams5 - 87 - 52 - 35 - 2

(#65) KU at (#49) WVU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKUWVU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #65 #49
SP+SP+ #58 #93
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #63 #27
Blue ChipsBC% #57 #64
Kansas Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Uneasy, two 5-7 yrs, OC back gives hope
(2/16) AHC Andy Kotelnicki is the real OC, play-caller
(2/9) QB Cole Ballard was #2 LY, has mobility
(2/9) RB added 3 portals incl D Edwards (KSU). Depth
(2/9) WR 3 portals, McMillan (Buf) leads decent unit
(2/9) OL 2 back + 2 P5 portal starters. Decent unit
(2/9) DL has good exp/prod, LBs ? beyond Al-Amin
(2/9) CBs have decent starting duo, S not great
Kansas Injury Report
West Virginia Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Eers love RichRod, portals provide hope
(1/29) 2nd year staff brought in 80 new players
(1/29) QB Fox back, Hawkins (OU) in to challenge QB1
(1/29) RB Cam Cook brings 1.6K yds & 16 TDs. Huge add
(1/29) WR adds are OK, not great. 6 Fr need to contribute
(1/29) OL 4 portal starters added. #2 most exp'd OLine
(1/29) DL is thin and lacks dudes. Glaring weakness
(1/29) LB added 3 portal starters + 3 more w good exp
(1/29) DBs same. Added exp but G5 avg players.
(1/29) Should improve TY but limited ceiling w this talent
West Virginia Injury Report
Kansas on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffWVU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #13 #54
ExplosiveExp #113 #125
PPAPPA #26 #63
PowerPwr #53 #45
SP+SP+ #48 #91
Pts POPPO #47 #91
HavocHav #52 #26
Kansas Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffWVU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #6 #36
Run ExplRExp #111 #64
PPAExp #19 #25
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #3 #8
Stuff RateStuff #8 #18
TackleTak - NR
Kansas Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffWVU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #31 #80
Pass ExplPExl #76 #125
PPAExp #45 #104
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #12
DB HavocDB #55 #69
West Virginia on Offense
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatWVU OffKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #121 #69
ExplosiveExp #79 #131
PPAPPA #118 #121
PowerPwr #59 #75
SP+SP+ #102 #76
Pts POPPO #86 #120
HavocHav #80 #26
West Virginia Run Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCat
WVU OffKU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #113 #62
Run ExplRExp #101 #125
PPAExp #126 #87
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #118 #57
Stuff RateStuff #104 #32
TackleTak - NR
West Virginia Pass Game
Run heavy Offense 57%, Pass: 42%
CategoryCatWVU OffKU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #130 #71
Pass ExplPExl #24 #126
PPAExp #99 #122
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #103 #25
DB HavocDB #55 #43
Program Comparison
WVU 5 Year Profile: Declining Top G5
'26 Profile: Down to Average G5

KU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Field at Milan Puskar Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Kansas beat West Virginia last year (41-10)
West Virginia beat Kansas in 2024 (32-28)

  
KU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Chase Jenkins (Tr)11917269%1025926.0
Cole Ballard102246%108114.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis (Tr)12955344.341
Chase Jenkins (Tr)15153153.534
Jalen Dupree (Tr)10250825.031
Dylan Edwards (Tr)3420526.075
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nik McMillan (Tr)61975316.055
Nahzae Cox (Tr)40473511.843
Cam Pickett45449310.038
Carter Moses (Tr)26321212.333

View Kansas's Full Roster

KU's DC D.K. McDonald (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trey Lathan867265
Corey Gordon (Tr)533002
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Eamon Smalls (Tr)504110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Jalen Todd442214
Blake Herold435243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Trey Lathan867265
Jalen Todd442214

WVU's OC Rich Rodriguez (in his second season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Scotty Fox Jr.10117059%1276767.5
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)152756%167306.2
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Cam Cook (Tr)2961666165.673
Scotty Fox Jr.8420132.459
Michael Hawkins Jr. (Tr)155813.927
Armoni Weaver129029.029
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
DJ Epps (Tr)46498510.848
John Neider (Tr)27422215.645
Cam Cook (Tr)3028609.554
Josh Sapp (Tr)11150013.632

View West Virginia's Full Roster

WVU's DC Zac Alley (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Tyler Stolsky (Tr)862112
Kamari Wilson (Tr)787114
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)522106
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Ezekiel Durham-Campbell (Tr)408681
David Afogho (Tr)374361
Harper Holloman (Tr)396264
Jason Hall (Tr)132100
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Jaire Rawlison (Tr)522106
Andrew Powdrell (Tr)632025
Harper Holloman (Tr)396264