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The Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack meet for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. The bowl matchup is December 28, 2023, starting at 5:45 PM ET, airing on ESPN.
The Wildcats are the favorites (-3.5) in their game against the Wolfpack, with the over/under at 47.5 points. (On the moneyline, the Wildcats are -164 and the Wolfpack are +139.)
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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 | -3.5 | -110 | -110 | 47.5 | -110 | -110 | -164 | +139 |
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 this season when favored by 3.5 points or more.
- Kansas State games with a set total have hit the over seven times this season (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 offense, ranking 22nd-best in the FBS with 446.3 total yards per game.
- Kansas State ranks 30th in scoring defense this year (21.2 points allowed per game), but has been thriving on the offensive side of the ball, ranking 10th-best in the FBS with 37.8 points per game.
- From an offensive standpoint, Kansas State ranks 51st in the FBS with 246.4 passing yards per game. Meanwhile, the defense ranks 74th in passing yards allowed per contest (230.2).
- Kansas State ranks 47th in run defense this season (140.2 rushing yards allowed per game), but has been playing really well on offense, ranking 15th-best in the FBS with 199.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State has been finding success on both sides of the ball in terms of third-down efficiency, ranking eighth-best in third-down conversion rate (49.1%) and eighth-best in third-down conversion rate allowed (28.7%).
- Kansas State owns the sixth-best turnover margin in college football at +11, forcing 22 turnovers (17th in the FBS) while turning it over 11 times (12th in the FBS).
Kansas State’s Best Players
- Will Howard has 2,643 passing yards for Kansas State, completing 61.2% of his passes and recording 24 touchdowns and 10 interceptions this season. He’s also contributed 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 the end zone nine times. He’s also caught 28 passes for 286 yards (23.8 per game) and two touchdowns through the air.
- This season, Treshaun Ward has carried the ball 125 times for 651 yards (54.3 per game) and five touchdowns.
- Ben Sinnott’s leads his squad with 676 yards as a receiver. He’s racked up that yardage on 49 catches (out of 75 targets) and scored six touchdowns.
- 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 passes 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 has a team-high three interceptions to go along with 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 2-2 against the spread when an underdog by 3.5 points or more this year.
- NC State games have hit the over in four out of 11 opportunities (36.4%).
NC State Pick Insights
- NC State ranks 98th in the FBS with 346.3 total yards per contest, but it has been carried by its defense, which ranks 25th-best by surrendering just 323.5 total yards per game.
- NC State has been thriving on the defensive side of the ball, giving up just 20.2 points per contest (25th-best). Offensively, it ranks 69th by racking up 26.8 points per game.
- NC State is accumulating 196.3 passing yards per contest on offense this season (101st-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 218.8 passing yards per contest (57th-ranked) on defense.
- NC State has been excelling on run defense, surrendering only 104.8 rushing yards per game (17th-best). On offense, it ranks 77th in the FBS by compiling 150.1 rushing yards per game.
- NC State’s defense has been thriving on third down, giving up a 27.7% third-down conversion percentage (fifth-best). On offense, it ranks 65th in the FBS with a 39.3% third-down rate.
- NC State has thrived in terms of turnovers, as the team’s 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 (134.9 ypg) to lead NC State, completing 62.4% of his passes and collecting 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. He is also a playmaker on the ground, racking up 544 yards (45.3 ypg) on 126 carries with six touchdowns.
- Kevin Concepcion has 767 receiving yards (63.9 yards per game) on 64 catches and 10 touchdowns while piling up 297 rushing yards on 38 attempts.
- Keyon Lesane has put together a 247-yard season so far. He’s caught 28 passes on 46 targets.
- Bradley Rozner’s 18 grabs (on 27 targets) have netted him 208 yards (17.3 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Davin Vann paces the team with 6.5 sacks, and also has five TFL and 37 tackles.
- So far Payton Wilson leads the team in both tackles and interceptions. He has collected 133 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks, and three interceptions this season.
