In a battle featuring two teams that like running the football, No. 25 Cyclones of Iowa State (-14) are set to greet the Kansas State Wildcats in Jack Trice Stadium. Fans can catch the action live on FS1 and kickoff for this conference showdown is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. ET.
Betting Preview: Iowa State Cyclones vs. Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State is a significant road underdog in this Big 12 game and is currently getting 14 points. The Wildcats are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Cyclones are -735. If one side can create a bunch of points early it’ll generate a solid betting scenario in-game. Oddsmakers have placed the over/under (O/U) at 40.5 points.
Each of these teams has rewarded gamblers this year as the Wildcats have recorded 1.8 units and the Cyclones are up 4.8 units.
The Wildcats are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 3-5 SU against conference opponents. The Cyclones are 6-4 SU overall and are also 5-3 SU in conference play.
When these two teams faced each other last year, Kansas State earned the win 20-19.
The Wildcats are on the upswing after a 21-6 win over Texas Tech last week. The Wildcats D did its part in the win, holding the Red Raiders to just 150 passing yards and 31 rushing yards. On the offense, Skylar Thompson completed 17 passes for 213 yards, as well as a TD and an interception. Alex Barnes (136 rushing yards on 32 attempts) and the signal-caller Thompson (-9 yards on 11 carries) led the running attack. Malik Knowles (five receptions, 56 yards, one TD) and Zach Reuter (three catches, 48 yards) shared the receiving duties in the win.
Iowa State just fell 24-10 to Texas. As a group, the Cyclones collectively completed 13-of-29 passes for 148 yards and one interception. Brock Purdy went 10-for-23 for 130 yards and one interception while Kyle Kempt was three-of-six for 18 yards. David Montgomery (33 yards on 10 rush attempts, one TD) led the running game as Hakeem Butler (six receptions, 99 yards) led the pass-catching corps in the loss.
Kansas State has run the ball on 63.6 percent of its offensive possessions this year while Iowa State has a rush percentage of 55.4 percent. The Wildcats have produced 176.9 rush yards/game (including 176.6 per game versus Big 12 opponents) and have 18 scores on the ground this year. The Cyclones are averaging 122.1 rush yards per game (133.8 in conference) and have 11 total rushing TDs.
If the results so far this season are any indication, then it’s looking like the Cyclones could own the edge along both the offensive and defensive fronts. Their offensive line has yielded just 25 sacks while their D-line has logged 27 sacks. The Wildcats offensive line has allowed 31 sacks and their defense has generated only 17 sacks.
The Wildcats offense has averaged 160.2 yards through the air overall (153.1 per game against conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The Cyclones have recorded 232.1 pass yards per outing (240 in the Big 12) and have 17 total pass scores.
Defensively, Kansas State has let opponents rush for an average of 157.8 yards and throw for 237.5 yards per game. The Iowa State D has given up 234.1 yards per game to opposing passers and 116.4 yards per game on the ground. Both teams allow similar adjusted net yards per pass attempt (ANY/A) to the opposition, as the Wildcats have given up an ANY/A of 5.92 to opposing QBs, while the Cyclones are yielding an ANY/A of 5.83.
Offensively, Thompson is up to 1,208 passing yards on the year. He’s completed 104-of-181 attempts with six scores through the air and four interceptions. He has a 5.24 adjusted net yards per pass attempt, including 5.69 over the last two games.
Alex Barnes (1,054 rushing yards, nine rush TDs this season), Dalton Schoen (418 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Isaiah Zuber (528 receiving yards, three TDs) have each played key roles lately.
On the other sideline, Brock Purdy has connected on 75-of-121 passes for 1,215 yards, 12 TDs and three INTs. Purdy’s ANY/A stands at 9.19 for the season and 5.75 across his last two outings.
As a group, David Montgomery, Hakeem Butler and Matthew Eaton have combined to account for 318 total yards over the last couple of outings.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones Free Pick
SU Winner: Iowa State, ATS Winner: Iowa State, O/U: Under
Betting Notes
- The Wildcats offense has tallied three pass plays of 40+ yards, while the Cyclones have put up 10 such plays.
- The Kansas State defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40+ yards, while Iowa State has given up five such plays.
- The Kansas State offense has created 18 rushing plays of 20 yards or more, while Iowa State has created 11 such runs.
- The Wildcats defense has allowed 15 rushing plays of 20 or more yards, while the Cyclones have given up eight such runs.
- The Iowa State defense has tallied 27 sacks on the year while Kansas State has just 17.
- As a team, Kansas State has averaged 3.4 yards per rush attempt over its last three outings and 3.7 over its last two.
- Iowa State has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three contests and 3.0 over its past two.
- In its last three games, Iowa State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Kansas State’s previous game was 55.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-6 win over Texas Tech.
- In its last three contests, Kansas State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
- The O/U for Iowa State’s last outing was 51. The under cashed in the team’s 24-10 loss to Texas.
