Arizona vs Kansas State Pick
College Football Betting Preview: No. 20 Arizona vs. No. 14 Kansas State
College football bettors should consider placing at least one of their wagers early this week, as the Arizona Wildcats face off against the Kansas State Wildcats in a Top 25 showdown on Friday night. No. 14 Kansas State is currently a 7.5-point favorite according to the latest odds.
Arizona’s Betting Struggles Despite Strong Start
Arizona enters this game with a 2-0 straight-up (SU) record but has been a disappointment against the spread (ATS), going 0-2 so far. Last week, Arizona secured a 22-10 victory over Northern Arizona but failed to cover as massive 37.5-point favorites. Quarterback Noah Fifita completed 18-of-26 passes for 173 yards, throwing one touchdown and one interception in the win.
Kansas State’s Resilience After a Close Call
Kansas State also comes into the matchup at 2-0 SU but with a similarly unimpressive 0-2 ATS record. They narrowly avoided an upset last week, rallying from a 10-point halftime deficit to defeat Tulane 34-27 as 8.5-point favorites. Quarterback Avery Johnson played a key role, completing 15-of-23 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns, while the defense contributed five sacks, an interception, and a fumble recovery.
Key Trends
Arizona has been on a hot streak, winning nine straight games SU and going 6-3 ATS in that stretch. As underdogs, they’ve been particularly strong, with three consecutive SU victories and six straight ATS wins. On the road, Arizona is 5-5 SU and 6-4 ATS in their last 10 matchups.
Kansas State, on the other hand, has been dominant at home, boasting an 8-1 SU record and a 7-2 ATS mark in their last nine home games. However, they’ve been less reliable when favored, going just 1-2 ATS in their last three games and 4-4 ATS in their last eight.
No Prior Matchup History
This game marks the first-ever meeting between these two Wildcats teams, despite both now competing in the Big 12. As a result, bettors don’t have any direct head-to-head trends to rely on.
Key Matchup: Rushing Offenses vs. Run Defenses
Both teams are coming off strong rushing performances, with Kansas State amassing 215 yards on the ground last week against Tulane, and Arizona nearly hitting 200 yards against Northern Arizona. Defensively, Kansas State has the edge in stopping the run through the first two games, which could prove critical in determining the outcome.
Arizona vs. Kansas State Pick
We’re taking Kansas State to cover the 7.5-point spread. Expect them to get out to an early lead and maintain control of the game, taking advantage of their superior defense to secure both a win and a cover over Arizona.
