In a battle featuring two schools that like to run the football, Head Coach Bill Snyder and the Kansas State Wildcats (+14) are gearing up to pay a visit to the No. 25 Iowa State Cyclones (-14) at Jack Trice Stadium. This conference game kicks off at 7:00 p.m. ET and fans can catch the action by tuning in to FS1.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones Betting Preview
In this Saturday Big 12 game, Iowa State is tabbed as the big favorite and the team’s currently giving up 14 points. The Wildcats are also receiving +500 moneyline odds while the Cyclones are -735. Vegas has determined the over/under (O/U) to be 40.5 points, and if one program can create a bunch of points early, it will probably lead to a worthy live betting opportunity.
Both of these teams have rewarded gamblers this year as the Wildcats have gained 1.8 units and the Cyclones are up 4.8 units.
The Wildcats are 5-6 straight up (SU), including 3-5 SU against Big 12 opponents. The Cyclones are 6-4 SU overall and are also 5-3 SU in conference play.
These two squads met a year ago with the final outcome being a 20-19 win for Kansas State.
The Wildcats are on the upswing after a 21-6 victory over Texas Tech last week where Skylar Thompson completed 17 passes for 213 yards, along with one score and a pick. Alex Barnes (136 rushing yards on 32 attempts) and the signal-caller Thompson (-9 yards on 11 carries) spearheaded the ground attack. Malik Knowles (five receptions, 56 yards, one TD) and Zach Reuter (three catches, 48 yards) handled the receiving duties in the win.
On November 17, Texas knocked off this Iowa State crew by a score of 24-10. The Cyclones defense allowed the Longhorns to eat up the clock by rushing for 179 yards on 46 attempts, along with one rushing TD. Tre Watson had a productive outing in the win, recording 93 rushing yards on 14 attempts for 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 rushing yards on 10 attempts, one TD) led the running game while 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 177 rush yards per game (including 177 per game against Big 12 opponents) and have 18 scores on the ground this year. The Cyclones are putting up 122 rushing yards per game (134 in conference) and have 11 total rush TDs.
If 2018 results can translate to this game, then it seems like the Cyclones ought to own the edge along both the offensive and defensive fronts, since their offensive line has yielded only 25 sacks while the D-line has logged 27 sacks. The Wildcats O-line has allowed 31 sacks and their defense has sacked opposing QBs on just 17 occasions.
The Wildcats offensive scheme has tallied 160 yards/contest in the air overall (153 per game versus conference opposition) and has eight passing TDs so far. The Cyclones have recorded 232 pass yards per contest (239.9 in the Big 12) and have 17 total pass scores.
Kansas State has allowed opponents to run for an average of 158 yards and pass for 237 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 opponents, as the Wildcats have given up an ANY/A of 5.92 to opposing QBs, while the Cyclones are allowing an ANY/A of 5.83.
Offensively, Thompson is up to 1,208 passing yards this season, and has completed 57 percent of his 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 on the year), Dalton Schoen (418 receiving yards, two receiving TDs) and Isaiah Zuber (528 receiving yards, three TDs) have each played significant roles lately.
For the home team, 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 over his last two games.
As a group, David Montgomery, Hakeem Butler and Matthew Eaton have combined for 318 total yards over the last two outings.
RELATED: Week 13 College Football Betting Odds and Predictions
Free Pick: Kansas State Wildcats at Iowa State Cyclones
SU Winner – Iowa State, ATS Winner – Iowa State, O/U – Under
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Notes
Team Betting Trends
The Iowa State defense has sacked opposing QBs 27 times this year. Kansas State has registered just 17 sacks.
Iowa State has lost seven fumbles this season while Kansas State has lost nine.
The Wildcats offense has created three pass plays of 40 or more yards, while the Cyclones have put up 10 such plays.
The Kansas State defense has allowed seven pass plays of 40 yards or more, 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+ yards, while the Cyclones have given up eight such runs.
The Over/Under for Iowa State’s previous outing was 51. The under cashed in the 24-10 defeat to Texas.
Over its last three matches, Iowa State is 1-2 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
Over its last three matchups, Kansas State is 2-1 ATS and the under cashed in each of those three.
The O/U for Kansas State’s last game was set at 55.5. The under cashed in the team’s 21-6 victory over Texas Tech.
Kansas State has averaged 3.4 yards per carry over its past three games and 3.7 over its last two.
Iowa State has averaged 3.1 yards per carry over its last three outings and 3.0 over its past two.
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