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The Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack take the field for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The matchup is at 5:45 PM ET on December 28, 2023, and airs on ESPN.
The Wildcats are small favorites (-2.5) in their game versus the Wolfpack, with the over/under at 47.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Wildcats are -141 and the Wolfpack are +118.)
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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 | -2.5 | -111 | -109 | 47.5 | -108 | -111 | -141 | +118 |
Kansas State Pick Insights
- Kansas State has posted a 8-4-0 record against the spread this season.
- Kansas State has a 6-4 record against the spread when favored by 2.5 points or more this season.
- Kansas State games have hit the over 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 shining on the other side of the ball, ranking 22nd-best in the FBS with 446.3 total yards per game.
- Kansas State sports the 32nd-ranked defense this season (21.2 points allowed per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 10th-best with 37.8 points per game.
- Kansas State ranks 51st in pass offense (246.4 passing yards per game) and 75th in pass defense (230.2 passing yards allowed per game) this season.
- Kansas State ranks 47th in run defense this season (140.2 rushing yards allowed per game), but has been playing really well on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 14th-best in the FBS with 199.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State has been shining on both sides of the ball in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking eighth-best in third-down percentage (49.1%) and eighth-best in third-down percentage allowed (28.7%).
- Kansas State has forced 22 total turnovers (24th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 11 times (11th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +11, the fifth-best in college football.
Kansas State’s Best Players
- Will Howard has thrown for 2,643 yards (220.3 ypg) to lead Kansas State, completing 61.2% of his passes and collecting 24 touchdown passes compared to 10 interceptions this season. He’s also figured in the ground game with 354 rushing yards on 81 carries with nine rushing touchdowns.
- The team’s top rusher, DJ Giddens, has carried the ball 195 times for 1,075 yards (89.6 per game), scoring nine times. He’s also caught 28 passes for 286 yards and two touchdowns.
- 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 has hauled in 49 catches for 676 yards (56.3 yards per game) to lead the team so far this season. He’s found the end zone six times as a receiver.
- Phillip Brooks has caught 53 passes for 589 yards (49.1 yards per game) and five touchdowns this year.
- Jayce Brown has a total of 385 receiving yards so far this year, grabbing 22 throws and scoring two touchdowns.
- Khalid Duke has six sacks to pace the team, 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 putting up 53 tackles, three TFL, and three passes defended.
NC State Betting Insights
- So far this year, NC State has put together a 6-4-1 record against the spread.
- When it has played as at least 2.5-point underdogs this season, NC State is 4-2-1 against the spread.
- In NC State’s 11 games with a set total, four have hit the over (36.4%).
NC State Pick Insights
- NC State ranks 97th with 346.3 total yards per game on offense, and it ranks 26th with 323.5 total yards given up per contest on the defensive side of the ball.
- NC State ranks 70th in the FBS with 26.8 points per game, but it has been carried by its defense, which ranks 25th-best by giving up just 20.2 points per game.
- NC State ranks 100th in the FBS with 196.3 passing yards per contest on offense, and it ranks 55th with 218.8 passing yards allowed per contest on the defensive side of the ball.
- NC State ranks 77th in the FBS with 150.1 rushing yards per game, but it has been lifted up by its defense, which ranks 16th-best by allowing just 104.8 rushing yards per game.
- NC State’s defense has been keeping opposing offenses in check on third down, surrendering a 27.7% third-down conversion percentage (fifth-best). On offense, it ranks 64th in the FBS with a 39.3% third-down rate.
- NC State has a top-25 turnover margin this season, ranking ninth-best at +10.
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 has 767 receiving yards (63.9 per game) on 64 catches and 10 touchdowns while racking up 297 rushing yards on 38 attempts.
- Keyon Lesane has totaled 247 receiving yards (20.6 yards per game) on 28 receptions.
- Bradley Rozner’s 18 catches (on 27 targets) have netted him 208 yards (17.3 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Davin Vann leads the team with 6.5 sacks, and also has five TFL and 37 tackles.
- Payton Wilson, NC State’s tackle leader, has 133 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks, and three interceptions this year.
- Devan Boykin has a team-leading three interceptions to go along with 51 tackles, two TFL, and three passes defended.
