Kansas State vs. Kansas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can the Jayhawks Escape Will Howard, Wildcats?
The Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas State Wildcats play a rivalry game this weekend. Can the Jayhawks Escape Will Howard and the Wildcats? Jason Radowitz breaks down this Big 12 matchup.
Jason Radowitz - November 13, 2023, 10:15 AM EST
5 minKansas State vs. Kansas Prediction, Pick, Odds: Can the Jayhawks Escape Will Howard, Wildcats?
The Kansas State Wildcats got back into the win column on Saturday with a 59-25 win against Baylor. The Wildcats are currently 7-3 and still ranked inside the Top 25 in the College Football Playoff Rankings.
Meanwhile, they'll take on the Kansas Jayhawks, who have lost two of their last four games.
The Jayhawks most recently lost to Texas Tech, 16-13, after starting quarterback Jason Bean could not perform after sustaining an injury. Kansas had to roll with a third-string freshman quarterback and lost, with former starter Jalon Daniels still injured and out.
With Kansas quarterbacks Daniels and Bean hurt for Kansas, can the Jayhawks escape Kansas State at home?
Here are our picks, predictions, and odds for Saturday's rivalry game between the Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks.
Kansas State vs. Kansas Date, Start Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: November 18, 2023
- Game Time: 7:00 pm ET
- Where to Watch: FS1
Kansas State vs. Kansas Odds
- Spread: Kansas State -8 (-110), Kansas +8 (-110)
- Total Odds: Over 55.5 (-110), Under 55.5 (-110)
- Moneyline Odds: Kansas State (-340), Kansas (+270)
Kansas State vs. Kansas Injury Report
Kansas State
Out: LB Daniel Green (Pectoral), LB Asa Newsom (Undisclosed)
Kansas
Questionable: QB Jason Bean (Head), WR Luke Grimm (Undisclosed), TE Trevor Kardell (Undisclosed)
Out: QB Jalon Daniels (Back)
Kansas State vs. Kansas Prediction
Don't be surprised if Kansas is forced to use freshman quarterback Cole Ballard for this game against Kansas State.
Ballard didn't look terrible against Texas Tech when he replaced Bean. He completed nine passes on 20 attempts and added 124 yards passing with no touchdowns and an interception.
However, he also rushed ten times for 20 yards and had a long play of 15 yards on the ground. He still couldn't escape pressure, as he was sacked three times.
While the offense has earned nearly 35 points per game, don't expect Kansas to have the same success offensively. A whole week of practice with Ballard getting first-team reps can only help, but the team ultimately struggled to find any offense with the freshman under center last weekend.
It won't be any easier against a Kansas State defense that has held teams to just 220.44 yards per game in the air. The Wildcats are dominant in the secondary and will take advantage of poor throws.
However, the pass rush for Kansas State could be better. Kansas will find some offense if Ballard remains patient and doesn't rush. But that's a hard ask for a freshman quarterback in a rivalry game, earning his first start of the season.
On the other hand, Kansas State is led by a senior quarterback in, Will Howard. Howard has thrown 21 touchdowns and eight interceptions but has a QBR of 75.4, which is in the top 20 in college football.
The offense has earned over 235 yards in the air and nearly 205 yards on the ground. While Howard is terrific under center, D.J. Giddens has been the main guy on offense, earning seven touchdowns on 143 carries. Gidden has averaged six yards a carry and is getting closer to 1,000 yards this year.
The Wildcats have allowed 163.56 yards on the ground this season, so you can expect Giddens and the Wildcats to have success on the ground.
Once Giddens finds success on the ground, the offense will put together a well-balanced offensive plan that should beat Kansas.
It's not guaranteed that Jason Bean is out for Kansas. But he's got a head injury. Kansas will have to be careful with him. Meanwhile, Daniels likely won't play the rest of the season.
Let's take the Wildcats against the spread.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Kansas Jayhawks Pick
- PICK: Kansas State -8 -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
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