NC State Wolfpack vs Kansas State Wildcats Prediction, 12/28/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: NC State Wolfpack vs Kansas State Wildcats

Date: Thursday, December 28, 2023

Location: Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL

TV: ESPN

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-7)

Total/Over-Under: 48.5

Camping World Stadium is the site where the Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) will attempt to defeat the NC State Wolfpack (9-3) on Thursday, December 28, 2023 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Kansas State opens this game as 7-point favorites from Vegas oddsmakers. The total comes in at 48.5.

The NC State Wolfpack head into this matchup 9-3 for this season. In their last contest, the Wolfpack faced the North Carolina Tar Heels and walked away with a win by a score of 39-20. Brennan Armstrong went 22/31 with 334 yds passing and 3 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 193.4 and finished the game without throwing a pick. Kevin Concepcion led the offense in rushing for the Wolfpack with 11 carries for 55 yds (5.0 yds per carry). The NC State Wolfpack ran the ball 43 times and recorded 170 yards, which is an average of 4.0 yds per attempt. In all, they ran 74 plays which converted into 504 yards. NC State relinquished 22 completions on 38 tries for a total of 254 yards, and a completion percentage of 57.9%. On the ground, the Wolfpack gave up 130 yds on 21 tries, which calculates to 6.2 yards per rush allowed.

When it comes to scoring, the NC State Wolfpack are averaging 26.8 points per contest. As a team they're holding an average of 149.9 yards on the ground ranking this team at 76th in college football. The Wolfpack have tallied 4,156 total yards this season. When it comes to getting the ball in the endzone, NC State has amassed 19 touchdowns through the air and 17 rushing touchdowns. NC State has compiled 224 first downs, and they have been called for 72 penalties for 586 yds. They have turned the football over 14 times.

Regarding yards via the pass, the Wolfpack have given up 2,626 yds which ranks them 53rd in the country. They are conceding 218.8 yards per contest through the air and conceding a completion percentage of 57.5%. Overall, they have relinquished 323.5 yards per outing ranking them 25th in college football. They have relinquished 18 touchdowns via the pass and 11 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.7 yards per rush and 104.8 rushing yards per game so far this year. For the year, they have given up 1,258 rushing yards through 12 games. The Wolfpack are sitting in 25th in Division 1 in terms of the opposition scoring, allowing 20.2 points per contest.

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The Wildcats head into this game 8-4 for this season. The last time they took the gridiron, the Wildcats walked away with a loss by a score of 42-35 when they played the Iowa State Cyclones. DJ Giddens ran the football 31 times for 114 yds, ending the game with 3.7 yds per attempt for Kansas State. Will Howard (1 TD) finished the contest with 288 yds on 24/48 passing while his QB rate was 103.1. He tossed 1 interception and his average yards per attempt was 6.0. Kansas State relinquished 23 rushing attempts for 258 yds (11.2 yds per carry). The Wildcats secondary gave up a completion rate of 66.7%, relinquishing 230 yds on 8 out of 12 through the air. The Wildcats finished the contest with a total of 497 yds and they ran 102 plays (4.9 yds per play). Kansas State rushed the ball for 3.9 yds per attempt, finishing the contest with 209 yards on 54 carries.

The Kansas State Wildcats hold an average of 446.1 yards per contest, ranking them 23rd in Division 1. The Kansas State offense has totaled 514 yds of penalties on 58 violations, which is 112th in college football in terms of hurting your team. They have an average of 199.7 yards per game on the ground and have run for 2,396 yards for the year. They have thrown 10 picks while letting opponents recover 2 fumbles and they have been able to earn 288 first downs. When it comes to this team's ability to score points, the Wildcats are ranking 10th in D-1 by tallying 37.8 points per game. Over the course of the season thus far, the Wildcats have compiled 2,957 yards via the pass as well as holding an average of 246.4 throwing yards per outing, giving them a rank of 51st in D-1.

The Wildcats are surrendering 21.2 PPG, which has them ranked 30th in D-1. Kansas State has given up a total of 1,682 yards via the ground game (140.2 yards/game) as well as 13 touchdowns via the rush so far this year. This season, they have allowed 254 points. They have given up 16 touchdowns from the passing game and 230.2 yards per contest, which puts them in 73rd in the nation. The Wildcats defense has taken the field for 779 plays, which ranks 42nd in D-1. Their defense has earned 10 fumbles and 12 picks for the season.

Who will win tonight's Wolfpack/Wildcats college football game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Wildcats -7

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