The No. 20 Arizona Wildcats look to continue the nation's longest winning streak as they face off against the No. 20 Kansas State Wildcats on Friday night. While these schools are now both in the same conference, the game was scheduled several years ago and will not count towards the Big 12 standings. Arizona enters 2-0, most recently defeating FCS Northern Arizona, 22-10 last Saturday. K-State rallied from a deficit in the second half to beat Tulane on the road, 34-27, to get to 2-0. Arizona is 5-1-1 in the head-to-head series, though the teams haven't played since 1978.
Kickoff from Bill Snyder Family Stadium is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Kansas State is a 7.5-point favorite in the latest Arizona vs. Kansas State odds from SportsLine consensus, while the over/under for total points scored is 60.5. Before making any Kansas State vs. Arizona picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from the SportsLine Projection Model.
The model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, it has generated a profit of over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It is also coming off a profitable 13-9 season on top-rated spread picks and is off to a 4-0 start on over/under picks this season. Anyone who has followed it has seen strong returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Arizona vs. Kansas State and has locked in its picks and CFB predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model's picks. Here are the college football odds and betting lines for Kansas State vs. Arizona:
- Kansas State vs. Arizona spread: Kansas State -7.5
- Kansas State vs. Arizona over/under: 60.5 points
- Kansas State vs. Arizona money line: Kansas State -279, Arizona +225
- Kansas State vs. Arizona picks: See picks at SportsLine
Why Arizona can cover
The Wildcats haven't simultaneously played well on offense and defense in their first two contests. Against New Mexico two weeks ago, Arizona scored 61 points and was an offensive powerhouse. Last week, Arizona only found the end zone twice against FCS Northern Arizona, though the defense held the Lumberjacks to just 10 points. The Wildcats also were missing multiple offensive linemen, including center Josh Baker, as well as starting running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, whose eligibility is in question going forward.
What the Wildcats do have, however, is the potent quarterback-to-wide receiver combination of Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan. Though these high school teammates at Servite High School in California had an off week against NAU, they dominated vs. New Mexico. McMillian, a preseason All-American WR, had 10 catches for 305 yards and four touchdowns with a potential fifth score falling one yard short. Fifita threw for 422 yards and four scores in the opener, before following it up with a 173 yard, one touchdown performance last week. See which team to pick here.
Why Kansas State can cover
The Wildcats are led by the dynamic quarterback-running back combination of Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens, who will be a handful for Arizona to slow down. Kansas State trailed 20-10 at halftime last week but rallied with 24 points in the second half, including a 45 yard Johnson to Giddens pass to even the score. The Wildcats took the lead for good on safety Jack Fabris' 60 yard fumble return for a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.
On the season, Johnson has thrown for 334 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for an additional 77 yards on 11 attempts. Giddens has 32 carries for 238 yards, while catching seven passes for 69 yards and a score. Kansas State will look to establish the ground game and keep the ball out of the hands of Arizona's potent offense. If K-State succeeds, Arizona could have difficulties keeping up on the scoreboard. See which team to pick here.
How to make Kansas State vs. Arizona picks
SportsLine's model is leaning Over on the total, projecting 71 combined points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can only get the model's pick at SportsLine.
So who wins Arizona vs. Kansas State, and which side of the spread hits in nearly 60% of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread to jump on, all from the advanced computer model that's up over $2,000 on its college football picks since inception, and find out.
