Kansas football bowl game: Here’s the Liberty Bowl betting line, time, TV vs. Arkansas
In less than a week, the Kansas football team will play its first bowl game in 14 years. The Jayhawks will face Arkansas on Wednesday in Memphis, Tennessee, at the Liberty Bowl.
The two teams last played in 1906, when KU won 37-5.
This game marks the Jayhawks’ first bowl game against an SEC team since the 1981 Hall of Fame Bowl, where KU lost 10-0 to Mississippi State.
Kansas’ appearance in the Liberty Bowl marks its 13th bowl appearance overall. Last time around, KU defeated Minnesota 42-21 at the 2008 Insight Bowl. That game was played following the 2008 college football season, as the Jayhawks also won the 2008 Orange Bowl, played in January following the 2007 season.
Under second-year coach Lance Leipold, KU has made significant strides. In his first year, the Jayhawks went 2-10 (1-8 Big 12) and finished last in the conference.
This season, KU (6-6, 3-5 Big 12) would climb above .500 with a bowl victory.
Just making the bowl game means a lot to Kansas.
“I think the team is feeling great and I think a lot of people have that odd feeling like, ‘Wow, this is so new,’“ Kansas running back Devin Neal said. ”I mean last year we would be home. We would be home for a month before we had to return back. So just being here and staying here with the group means a lot more. I think it’s brought us even closer together.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Kansas-Arkansas matchup.
Who won’t be playing for Kansas (transfer portal):
The Jayhawks have had seven players enter the transfer portal. Those players are wide receiver Steven McBride, safety Edwin White-Schultz, linebacker Gavin Potter, defensive back Cam’Ron “Shaad” Dabney, defensive end Kevin Orange Jr., linebacker Eriq Gilyard and safety Jarrett Paul.
The biggest name from that group is Potter. In his junior season, he had a career-high 78 tackles in 12 games. However, by October of this year — his senior year — Potter had decided to leave the team.
Who isn’t playing for Arkansas (transfer portal/NFL Draft):
Arkansas has reportedly had 23 players enter the transfer portal, including five who started at least one game. The biggest surprises are defensive lineman Isaiah Nichols and wide receiver Ketron Jackson. Nichols started in all 12 games, while Jackson started in eight.
The Razorbacks also had several players opt out of the bowl game in preparation for the NFL Draft: center Ricky Stromberg, linebacker Drew Sanders and wide receiver Jadon Haselwood. In addition, linebacker Bumper Pool recently had hip surgery and will also prepare for the draft.
KU’s high-powered offense vs. depleted Arkansas defense:
KU quarterback Jalon Daniels and his offense have had quite the season. The Jayhawks enter the bowl game averaging 7.01 yards per play, which is tied for fifth nationally. KU is on pace to break the school’s record of 6.40 yards per play in a season set in 1950.
With a number of transfers and opt-outs on the Arkansas side, the game should be a high-scoring affair.
The history of the Liberty Bowl:
This is the 64th Liberty Bowl. The first five bowls were played in Philadelphia. In 1964, the bowl moved to the Atlantic City Convention Center in New Jersey. That game was the first-ever indoor bowl game.
The Liberty Bowl moved to Memphis in 1965.
Arkansas also has a track record of Liberty Bowl appearances, defeating Kansas State in the bowl in January 2016, as well as East Carolina in January 2010. Arkansas also appeared in the game in 1971, 1984 and 1987.
The details
Kickoff: Wednesday, 4:30 p.m. (Central)
Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, Memphis, Tenn.
TV: ESPN
Radio: KLWN (1320 AM)
Line: Arkansas by 3
This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 4:16 PM.
