UCF Knights vs Kansas State Wildcats Prediction, 9/23/2023 College Football Picks, Best Bets & Odds

Game: UCF Knights vs Kansas State Wildcats

Date: Saturday, September 23, 2023

Location: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, KS

TV: FS1

Odds/Point Spread: Wildcats (-5)

Total/Over-Under: 57.5

The UCF Knights (3-0) are headed to Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Saturday, September 23, 2023 where they will try to defeat the Kansas State Wildcats (2-1). UCF opens this matchup as 5-point dogs from Vegas oddsmakers. The total comes in at 57.5.

The UCF Knights head into this game 3-0 this year. In their last contest, the Knights played the Villanova Wildcats and walked away with a win by a score of 48-14. Timmy Mcclain went 20/28 with 321 yds passing and 2 TDs. He had a quarterback rating of 191.3 and ended the game without throwing an interception. R.J. Harvey led the offense in rushing for the Knights with 14 totes for 85 yds (6.1 yards per carry). When the final whistle blew, they ran 87 plays which totaled 600 yards. The UCF Knights rushed the ball a total of 54 times and totaled 251 yards, which earned them an average of 4.6 yards per carry. On the ground, the Knights gave up 83 yards on 30 attempts, which averages out to 2.8 yards per run surrendered. UCF gave up 9 completions on 23 attempts for 145 yards, and a completion percentage of 39.1%.

The Knights have earned 1,853 yards in total over the course of this season. When it comes to notching touchdowns, UCF has amassed 5 touchdowns through the air and 10 touchdowns via the ground. They have turned the football over 5 times. UCF has accumulated 86 first downs as an offense, and they have been hurt by 18 penalties for 138 yds. As a unit they are averaging 299.3 yards in the run game which ranks them 2nd in college football. In terms of scoring, the UCF Knights are sitting at 40.7 PPG.

In terms of yards via the pass, the Knights have conceded 501 yards which ranks them 20th in Division 1. They have relinquished 167.0 yards per game through the air in addition to allowing a completion percentage of 42.9%. Over the course of this season, they have surrendered 283.7 yards/game ranking them 28th in college football. They have allowed 2 touchdowns by air as well as 2 touchdowns on the ground. They are allowing teams to run for an average of 3.3 yards per run and 116.7 rushing yards per game for the campaign. During this campaign, they have conceded 350 rushing yards through 3 outings. The Knights are ranked 16th in the country regarding team defense, conceding 12.0 points per game.

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The Wildcats head into this game 2-1 this year. When they last stepped on the field, the Wildcats walked away with a loss by a score of 30-27 when they played the Missouri Tigers. Treshaun Ward ran the ball 10 times for 54 yards, ending the contest with 5.4 yards per carry for Kansas State. Will Howard (3 touchdowns) ended the game with 270 yards on 25/39 through the air while his QB rating was 142.5. He had 1 pick and his Y/A was 6.9. Kansas State gave up 28 run attempts for 74 yards (2.6 yds per rush). The Wildcats pass defense conceded a completion rate of 63.9%, relinquishing 356 yards on 23 for 36 through the air. The Wildcats finished the contest with a total of 408 yards while running 74 plays (5.5 yds per play). Kansas State rushed for 3.9 yards per carry, finishing the contest with 138 yds on 35 carries.

Regarding this team's ability to score points, the Wildcats rank 34th in the country holding an average of 38.0 PPG. The Kansas State Wildcats average 464.3 yards per outing, ranking them 31st in Division 1. The Kansas State offense has accrued 146 yds of penalties on 16 infractions, which has them sitting 82nd in Division 1 in terms of helping out the opposition. They have thrown 3 interceptions while surrendering 0 fumbles and they have tallied 67 1st downs. During the season thus far, the Wildcats currently have a total of 880 passing yards in addition to holding an average of 293.3 passing yards per game, which has them sitting 26th in D-1. They have an average of 171.0 run yards per game and have run for 513 yards for the year.

Kansas State has conceded a total of 150 yards on the ground (50.0 yards per game) in addition to 1 touchdown rushing this season. They have conceded 3 touchdowns via the pass as well as 264.3 yards/outing, which has them sitting 108th in Division 1. They have tallied 1 fumble recovered and 1 picks so far this year. The Wildcats defense has taken part in 193 plays, which has them ranked 59th in the country. The Wildcats are conceding 14.3 points per game, which has them 25th in college football. This season, they have surrendered 43 pts.

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

Tony's Pick: Take the Wildcats -5

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