K-State Wildcats vs. UCF Knights: Football game prediction, betting line, TV, time
The Kansas State football team will try to bounce back from a loss against Missouri in its first Big 12 game of the season against the UCF Knights on Saturday.
Here’s everything you need to know before kickoff ...
UCF at Kansas State game details
Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium
TV: Fox Sports 1
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
The line: Kansas State by 3.5 with an O/U of 52.5
Game prediction
This game may unfold much differently than anyone could have predicted a few short weeks ago.
The UCF Knights will hit the road for their first conference game as members of the Big 12 without starting quarterback John Rhys Plumlee. Dual-threat passer Timmy McClain will start in his place.
The K-State Wildcats will try to bounce back from a last-second loss at Missouri with a number of key injuries putting a strain on their depth chart. Starting middle linebacker Daniel Green is out for the season with an injury to his pectoral muscle. Running back Treshaun Ward is considered doubtful to play with an injury of his own. And starting quarterback Will Howard will be limited, at best, after suffering a soft-tissue injury to his leg last week.
My best guess is that K-State will use both Howard and freshman Avery Johnson at quarterback on Saturday, but Chris Klieman may wait all the way up until game time to make the final call.
With both teams at full strength, this had the makings of a shootout. But now it feels more like a defensive battle. That is what happened during the Knights’ first road game of the season, when they went to Boise State and found a way to win 18-16.
Under Gus Malzahn, UCF is leading the country in total offense (629.7 yards per game), with an emphasis on running the ball (299.3 yards per game). K-State will be tested on defense, but it has done an excellent job against the run this season, allowing just 50 rushing yards per game. That could negate a big strength for UCF, as K-State has only struggled against the pass.
K-State figures to be limited on offense with either a hobbled Howard at quarterback or the freshman Johnson making his first start.
That should keep the score close and on the low side come Saturday night.
The Wildcats have been good at responding to losses under Chris Klieman. The last five times they have lost they have won the following week.
Maybe K-State will win with a last-minute field goal from Chris Tennant this week.
Kansas State 24, UCF 21
Last week’s prediction: K-State 32, Missouri 21 (Actual: Missouri 30, K-State 27)
Season record: 2-1.
Season record against the spread: 2-1.
Season record O/U: 3-0.