Friday Night features both Division 1 schools from Kansas hosting college football games, but we will just focus on the Top 25 showdown, as the Wildcats take on the Wildcats. The #20 Arizona Wildcats come to town to face the #14 Kansas State Wildcats in College Football matchup on Friday Night in Manhattan, KS. We are in for a treat with some Wildcat on Wildcat crime as both Big 12 teams battle it out.
Non-Conference, Conference Game
Now, although both teams are now a part of the Big 12, since this game was scheduled prior to the realignment, this matchup will actually to count towards conference play. Regardless, both squads will be giving it their all after squeaking by with wins last week. Kansas State went down to NOLA and took on the Tulane Green Wave. The Wildcats found themselves down 20-10 at halftime, but tied things up by the end of the 3rd quarter. The defense really showed out late, as a 60 yard fumble return TD gave the Wildcats the lead, and an interception on Tulane’s final drive sealed the game once and for all, as K-State narrowly escaped with a win.
As for Arizona, they struggled at home against the Northern Arizona Lumberjacks. Arizona was down 10-6 at halftime after being a 36.5 point favorite prior to the game. Their defense really turned it on in the 2nd half, as they shutout NAU and eventually won the game 22-10. However, it was a less than impressive win, considering they should’ve blown the doors off of the Lumberjacks. Noah Fifita threw for just 173 yards as the Wildcats had more success moving the ball on the ground.
Will they be able to do the same against Kansas State? Or will they show Arizona who the real Wildcats of the Big 12 are?
Arizona vs Kansas State: Friday Night Lights in Manhattan
Can Noah Fifita and the Wildcats surprise Kansas State on the road?
Matchup Information – Arizona vs Kansas State
- Venue & Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium (Manhattan, KS)
- Date: Friday, September 13th, 2024
- Kick Off: 8:00pm Eastern
- Broadcast: FOX
Betting Odds
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Spread
- Arizona +7 (+100
- Kansas State -7 (-120)
Money Line
- Arizona +260
- Kansas State -310
Total
- Over 59 (-112)
- Under 59 (-108)
Wildcats Host Wildcats on Friday Night
Avery Johnson has Kansas State undefeated so far this season
The key for Kansas State on Saturday will certainly be establishing the run. This is a very run heavy offense as Avery Johnson continues to be much more comfortable making plays with his legs. The sophomore QB has 334 yards through the air with 4 TDs and 1 INT, while adding another 77 on the ground in 2 games this season. He’s seen major help from RB DJ Giddens who is averaging 7.4 yards per carry and has also added 7 receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown. The skill players on K-State’s offense are all good to go, and with Johnson at the helm, I could see them moving the ball in bunches on Friday Night.
Wildcats Can’t Stop Run
The Arizona Wildcats can’t stop the run at all. They’ve allowed 211 rushing yards per game this season, giving up nearly 5.6 yards per carry. Against a team that loves to run the ball, this is not going to cut it. I see Kansas State running all over this Arizona defense at home on Friday. Yes, you could argue that both these teams struggled a bit last weekend, but it wasn’t K-State’s offense that necessarily slowed them down. They allowed Tulane QB Darian Mensah to throw for 342 yards and 2 TDs, totaling nearly 500 yards of offense. Plus, Tulane is a much tougher opponent than NAU.
Arizona was unable to produce much offense, and going into a hostile environment, I see Kansas State being able to shut down Fifita and company. The Wildcats of Arizona prefer to air it out, and I see them having to make the most of their possessions, as I could see Kansas State really milking the clock. They are a run first offense, and by chewing the clock and marching the ball down the field, you leave Fifita and the Arizona offense on the sideline, unable to score. By doing this, I see Kansas State meticulously moving the ball slowly but surely down the field, wearing out the defense, and refusing to give the ball back.
Arizona vs Kansas State Best Bets
DJ Giddens is the lead back for this Kansas State offense
Arizona vs Kansas State Prediction: Kansas State Wins & Covers
Best Bets: Kansas State -7 (-120) BetOnline
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We are backing the hometown Wildcats on Friday Night. While this is a Top 25 showdown, I was much less impressed with Arizona last weekend, especially considering the strength of their opponent. Although the Arizona defense came to play in the second half against NAU, they still allowed 39 points to a New Mexico team whose win total was set at 2. When the offense is clicking, it’s there, but when it isn’t, Arizona solely relies on their defense to carry them to a win.
So what happens if both sides of the ball have an off night?
After giving up 211 yards on the ground per game, Arizona now has to face a Kansas State team that lives in the trenches. Read options, quick passes, and power runs between the tackles are all staples of this Wildcat offense, K-State plans on going right at Arizona’s front 7 and wearing them down. This will be a good, old fashioned, hard nosed, gritty football game that’s won at the line of scrimmage, and I certainly trust the O-Line of Kansas State to be able to give their backs from room to run and make plays. Give me Kansas State to cover the touchdown with ease, taking down the other Big 12 Wildcat squad.
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