K-State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones: Prediction, Kickoff time, TV info
The Kansas State Wildcats will host the Iowa State Cyclones in the regular-season finale for both Big 12 football teams on Saturday.
K-State (7-4, 4-4 Big 12) is looking to finish the year on a high note and send its seniors out with a victory in their final home game. Iowa State (7-4, 5-3) is trying to build off recent wins over Texas and Kansas.
The winner of this game will improve its postseason appeal and be in the running for a spot in some of the conference’s better bowls.
The details
Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas
TV: FS1
Radio: KKGQ (92.3 FM) in Wichita, KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City.
The line: Iowa State by 5
Prediction
Iowa State has something in common with three of the teams that have defeated Kansas State this football season. The Cyclones have a strong run defense that holds opponents to under four yards per rushing attempt.
That’s bad news for Chris Klieman as he prepares for his first game against Matt Campbell and the Cyclones, who allow a Big 12 best 3.7 yards per rushing attempt.
Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia (the other three Big 12 teams that allow less than four yards per carry) all forced Skylar Thompson to beat them with his arm, and he was unable to do so.
The Wildcats are coming off a 30-27 road victory over Texas Tech in which Thompson threw for 246 yards. They also won the last time they were underdogs at home, against Oklahoma. Perhaps K-State can deliver a similar result at against Iowa State.
But it won’t be easy. ISU quarterback Brock Purdy is the Big 12’s top passer, averaging 326.4 yards.
K-State’s best hope at an upset will be to confuse or pressure him into some interceptions. If the Wildcats win the turnover battle and come through with a big play or two on special teams they could return to their winning ways in this Farmageddon rivalry.
But Iowa State seems like the more complete team. If it successfully limits K-State’s rushing attack, it will probably win this game.
Iowa State 30, K-State 24