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The Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack meet for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The matchup is at 5:45 PM ET on December 28, 2023, and airs on ESPN.
The Wolfpack are underdogs, but by less than a touchdown (+5.5), against the Wildcats (with an over/under of 48.5 points).
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Game Info for Kansas State vs. NC State
- Game Day: Thursday, December 28, 2023
- Game Time: 5:45 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Stadium: Camping World Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | -5.5 | -108 | -112 | 48.5 | -110 | -110 | -205 | +170 |
Kansas State Pick Insights
- Kansas State has gone 8-4-0 ATS this season.
- Kansas State is 6-3 against the spread when favored by 5.5 points or more this season.
- Kansas State games have gone over the point total on seven of 12 occasions (58.3%).
Kansas State Stats & Insights
- Kansas State ranks 58th in total defense this season (370.3 yards allowed per game), but has been thriving on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 22nd-best in the FBS with 446.3 total yards per game.
- On the offensive side of the ball, Kansas State has been a top-25 unit, ranking 10th-best in the FBS by totaling 37.8 points per game. The Wildcats rank 30th on defense (21.2 points allowed per game).
- Kansas State ranks 51st in pass offense (246.4 passing yards per game) and 74th in pass defense (230.2 passing yards allowed per game) this year.
- Kansas State owns the 47th-ranked defense this season in terms of rushing yards (140.2 rushing yards allowed per game), and has been better on the other side of the ball, ranking 15th-best with 199.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State has been finding success on both offense and defense in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking eighth-best in third-down conversion rate (49.1%) and eighth-best in third-down percentage allowed (28.7%).
- Kansas State has forced 22 total turnovers (17th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 11 times (12th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +11, the sixth-best in college football.
Kansas State’s Best Players
- Will Howard has 2,643 yards passing for Kansas State, completing 61.2% of his passes and throwing 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He’s also chipped in on the ground with 354 rushing yards (29.5 ypg) on 81 carries with nine rushing touchdowns.
- DJ Giddens has racked up 1,075 yards on 195 carries while finding paydirt nine times as a runner. He’s also caught 28 passes for 286 yards (23.8 per game) and two touchdowns through the air.
- Treshaun Ward has been handed the ball 125 times this year and racked up 651 yards (54.3 per game) with five touchdowns.
- Ben Sinnott’s 676 yards as a receiver pace the team. He’s been targeted 75 times and has registered 49 receptions and six touchdowns.
- Phillip Brooks has reeled in 53 passes while averaging 49.1 yards per game and scoring five touchdowns.
- Jayce Brown has a total of 385 receiving yards so far this year, hauling in 22 throws and scoring two touchdowns.
- Khalid Duke paces the team with six sacks, and also has seven TFL and 17 tackles.
- Kansas State’s leading tackler, Austin Moore, has 57 tackles, nine TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
- Kobe Savage leads the team with three interceptions, while also recording 53 tackles, three TFL, and three passes defended.
NC State Betting Insights
- So far this season, NC State has compiled a 6-4-1 record against the spread.
- NC State is 2-1 against the spread when an underdog by 5.5 points or more this season.
- Four of NC State’s 11 games with a set total have hit the over (36.4%).
NC State Pick Insights
- NC State has been dominant on defense, surrendering only 323.5 total yards per contest (25th-best). Offensively, it ranks 98th by racking up 346.3 total yards per game.
- NC State ranks 69th in the FBS with 26.8 points per contest, but it has been lifted up by its defense, which ranks 25th-best by surrendering only 20.2 points per game.
- NC State is putting up 196.3 passing yards per game on offense this season (101st-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 218.8 passing yards per game (57th-ranked) on defense.
- NC State ranks 77th in the FBS with 150.1 rushing yards per game, but it has been carried by its defense, which ranks 17th-best by giving up just 104.8 rushing yards per contest.
- NC State’s defense has been thriving on third down, giving up a 27.7% third-down conversion percentage (fifth-best). Offensively, it ranks 65th in the FBS with a 39.3% third-down rate.
- NC State has fared really well in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +10 ranks eighth-best in the FBS, with 24 forced turnovers (eighth in the nation) and 14 turnovers committed (35th in the nation).
NC State’s Best Players
- Brennan Armstrong has thrown for 1,619 yards on 146-of-234 passing with 11 touchdowns and six interceptions this season. He has chipped on the ground, as well, with 544 yards and six rushing touchdowns.
- Kevin Concepcion is a key figure in this offense, with 297 rushing yards on 38 carries and 767 receiving yards (63.9 per game) on 64 catches with 10 touchdowns
- Keyon Lesane has 28 receptions (on 46 targets) for a total of 247 yards (20.6 yards per game) this year.
- Bradley Rozner has racked up 208 reciving yards (17.3 ypg) and two touchdowns this season.
- Davin Vann has racked up 6.5 sacks to pace the team, while also picking up five TFL and 37 tackles.
- Payton Wilson has 133 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks, and three interceptions, and leads the team in both tackles and interceptions.
