The No. 14 Kansas State Wildcats look to withstand a challenge against another ranked team as they host the No. 20 Arizona Wildcats on Friday night. Technically, both schools are members of the Big 12 Conference but since the game was scheduled years ago, it does not count towards the conference standings. K-State is 2-0 and enters off a 34-27 comeback victory at Tulane last Saturday. Arizona, also 2-0, defeated FCS Northern Arizona, 22-10 in Week 2. The teams haven't met since 1978, a 31-0 Arizona victory in Tucson.
Kickoff from Bill Snyder Family Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Kansas State is a 6.5-point favorite in the latest Arizona vs. Kansas State odds from SportsLine consensus. The over/under for total points scored is 60.5, up from opening at 54.5. Before making any Kansas State vs. Arizona picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks and is off to a 4-0 start on over/under picks this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Arizona vs. Kansas State and has locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Kansas State vs. Arizona:
Arizona's Offense Needs to Find its Rhythm
The first two games of Brent Brennan's coaching tenure in Tucson have been victories but they haven't gone as smoothly as fans and coaches would've hoped. In Week 1's defeat of New Mexico, the Wildcats generated 627 yards of offense and 61 points, but surrendered more than 400 yards and 39 points to the Lobos. In Week 2, the roles were reversed. Arizona's defense held Northern Arizona to 198 total yards but the offense only managed to score two touchdowns. Can the Wildcats play a complete game in their first road contest of 2024?
Arizona is led on offense by a pair of high school teammates, quarterback Noah Fifita and wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan. In Week 1, the All-American McMillan had 10 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns. He came up inches short of a fifth score in a dominant effort. In Week 2, however, McMillan only had two catches for 11 yards. For Arizona to be successful in extending its current nine-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the country, these two will have to have a big day against the Kansas State secondary. See which team to pick here.
Kansas State's Running Game is Key to Success
The Wildcats are led by the dynamic quarterback-running back combination of Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens, who will be a handful for Arizona to slow down. Kansas State trailed 20-10 at halftime last week but rallied with 24 points in the second half, including a 45 yard Johnson to Giddens pass to even the score. The Wildcats took the lead for good on safety Jack Fabris' 60 yard fumble return for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
On the season, Johnson has thrown for 334 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 77 yards on 11 attempts. Giddens has 32 carries for 238 yards, while catching seven passes for 69 yards and a score. Kansas State will look to establish the ground game and keep the ball out of the hands of Arizona's potent offense. If K-State succeeds, Arizona could have difficulties keeping up on the scoreboard. See which team to pick here.
The Model Predicts a High-Scoring Affair
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 72 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits more than 60% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Arizona vs. Kansas State, and which side of the spread hits in more than 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer model that's up over $2,000 on its college football picks since inception, and find out.
What to Watch for on Friday Night
With two ranked teams facing off in a non-conference matchup, this game has all the makings of an exciting and unpredictable affair. Arizona's offense will need to find its rhythm if they want to keep up with Kansas State's potent rushing attack. The Wildcats will look to establish the ground game early and keep the ball out of the hands of Arizona's high-powered offense. With both teams coming off impressive wins, this game has the potential to be a shootout. Make sure to tune in on Friday night to see who emerges victorious.
