The 12th-ranked Kansas State Wildcats travel to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers in college football action tonight. The game is scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on FOX Sports 1. Currently the odds for the game have the Mountaineers favored to pick up the win at home.
Seeing ranked teams as road underdogs in the conference slate isn't a new thing, but even this one is a bit of a surprise. Kansas State has just one loss in the Big 12 this season, but it came in their last game to TCU by three touchdowns. The Horned Frogs made Kansas State look pedestrian for the first time this season as the Wildcats have played everyone tough and nearly knocked off Auburn earlier this season.
West Virginia comes in with a 6-4 record having lost their last two games overall to TCU and Texas. Even a loss here in this one for the Mountaineers wouldn't flat-line their season as the Mountaineers have a road game at Iowa State to end the year. If they win both it would put West Virginia with an 8-win season, which would be a very good campaign.
Clint Trickett has already tossed 18 touchdowns this season and thrown for better than 3,000 yards. His favorite target is arguably the best receiver in the country in Kevin White, who has hauled in 91 catches for 1,200 yards and eight touchdowns. White gives West Virginia a legitimate threat on the outside and Kansas State will need to find a way to slow him down. West Virginia isn't a bigtime running team but they can be very effective on the ground.
Kansas State gives off the perception they love to run, but West Virginia actually gets more yards on the ground per game compared to the Wildcats. Both offenses are pretty balanced, but having Jake Walters with the football might be the deciding factor for Kansas State. Walters has combined for nearly 2,700 yards of total offense this season, accounting for 20 touchdowns. His dual-threat option gives the Wildcats an excellent chance in this game tonight against West Virginia on the road.
West Virginia outscores opponents 34-26 on the season. Kansas State has a better defense and outscores opponents by an average of 36-21 this year. The defense that gets a stop or two or wins the turnover battle is going to give their team the best opportunity to win.
Overall, we like Kansas State's defense better than West Virginia's. Kansas State is the better overall football team and is catching points on the road. This game will be close and could go either way, but look for Kansas State to find a way to pick up a win here on the road.
Free Pick: Kansas State 31, West Virginia 28
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