As the college football season heats up, the No. 14 Kansas State Wildcats are gearing up to face a formidable opponent in the No. 20 Arizona Wildcats. The two teams will clash on Friday night at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium, with kickoff set for 8 p.m. ET. This highly anticipated matchup promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams come into the game with undefeated records. Kansas State is currently 2-0, having secured a dramatic 34-27 comeback victory over Tulane last Saturday. On the other hand, arizona vs kansas state also boasts a 2-0 record, having defeated FCS opponent Northern Arizona 22-10 in their last game.
Despite both schools being members of the Big 12 Conference, this game is a non-conference affair, as it was scheduled before the current conference realignment took place. Consequently, it won’t impact the conference standings. The Wildcats’ previous encounter dates back to 1978, when Arizona delivered a commanding 31-0 win over Kansas State in Tucson.
In the latest betting lines, Kansas State is favored by 6.5 points against Arizona. The over/under for the total points scored has seen a significant increase, opening at 54.5 and now standing at 60.5. This shift reflects the anticipated high-scoring nature of the game. For those looking to make informed betting decisions, it’s worth consulting the expert analysis and predictions provided by the SportsLine Projection Model.
This model, renowned for its accuracy, simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Its track record is impressive, having generated over $2,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Moreover, the model is coming off a successful 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks and is currently perfect with a 4-0 record on over/under picks this season. Those who follow its advice have consistently seen strong returns.
Regarding the matchup, here’s why each team could cover the spread:
Arizona Wildcats:
The Arizona Wildcats, under the leadership of coach Brent Brennan, have managed to secure victories in their first two games, though not without some challenges. In their season opener against New Mexico, Arizona’s offense was explosive, racking up 627 yards and scoring 61 points. However, their defense was less impressive, allowing over 400 yards and 39 points. In Week 2, the script flipped; the defense was stellar, holding Northern Arizona to just 198 total yards, but the offense struggled, scoring only two touchdowns.
Arizona’s success will hinge on the performance of high school teammates Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. McMillan, an All-American, had a standout performance in Week 1 with 10 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns. However, he was significantly less impactful in Week 2, managing only two catches for 11 yards. For Arizona to extend its impressive nine-game winning streak—currently the longest active streak in the nation—Fifita and McMillan will need to deliver a strong performance against the Kansas State secondary.
Kansas State Wildcats:
Kansas State, led by the dynamic duo of quarterback Avery Johnson and running back DJ Giddens, presents a formidable challenge for Arizona. The Wildcats showcased their resilience in their last game, trailing 20-10 at halftime but coming back with a decisive 24-point second half. The game was clinched with a 60-yard fumble return for a touchdown by safety Jack Fabris in the fourth quarter.
This season, Johnson has been impressive, throwing for 334 yards and four touchdowns, while also adding 77 rushing yards. Giddens has been a key contributor as well, with 32 carries for 238 yards and seven catches for 69 yards and a touchdown. Kansas State will likely aim to dominate the ground game and control possession, which could put pressure on Arizona’s high-octane offense to keep up on the scoreboard.
Betting Insights:
The SportsLine model is leaning towards the Over on the total points, projecting a combined score of 72. Additionally, the model indicates that one side of the spread is likely to cover more than 60% of the time. For those interested in placing bets, the model’s insights and picks are available on SportsLine.
As the Wildcats prepare for this exciting matchup, fans and bettors alike are eagerly anticipating a high-stakes game that promises to be a highlight of the college football season.