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The Rutgers Scarlet Knights (7-5) and Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) meet Thursday in the Rate Bowl from Chase Field in Phoenix. Kickoff is set for 5:30 p.m. ET (ESPN). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s college football odds around the Rutgers vs. Kansas State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
Rutgers ended their season on a high note, winning 3 of 4 and throttling the Michigan State Spartans 41-14 in the regular-season finale. The Scarlet Knights were 1-point road underdogs at East Lansing. They also started out their season hot, winning their first 4 games and covering in 3 of them. A midseason 4-game losing streak snapped any hope of a Top-25 finish. Rutgers finished 6-5-1 ATS and was led by QB Athan Kaliakmanis, who threw for 2,459 yards and 17 touchdowns.
The Wildcats, who were ranked multiple times throughout the season, started the year off strong, winning 7 of their first 8 games. They didn’t have the same drive down the stretch, though, losing 3 of their final 4 which included a 29-21 road loss as 2-point underdogs to then-No. 16 Iowa State to close out the regular season Nov. 30. Kansas State was just 4-8 against the spread (ATS) on the season and 1-5 ATS in away games. The Wildcats were led by QB Avery Johnson, who threw for 2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns, playing in all 12 games.
– Rankings: US LBM Coaches Poll, conducted by the American Football Coaches Association and USA TODAY Sports
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Rutgers vs. Kansas State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of college football odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 10:22 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Rutgers +210 (bet $100 to win $210) | Kansas State -275 (bet $275 to win $100)
- Against the spread: Rutgers +7 (-115) | Kansas State -7 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 50.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
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Rutgers vs. Kansas State picks and predictions
Prediction
Kansas State 28, Rutgers 24
Moneyline
PASS.
There’s no great value here. The Wildcats (-275) have the better side and should come out on top, but they are too expensive to bet to win outright. The Scarlet Knights (+210) have far more value on the spread.
Against the spread
BET RUTGERS +7 (-115).
Simply put, away from home, Kansas State has not performed well. It has lost 3 of its last 5 on the road and struggled immensely to end the season, covering in just one of its last 4 games. The Wildcats offense is what hit a wall, scoring 21 or fewer points in 3 of those 4.
Rutgers had a midseason collapse but surged to end the season, covering in 3 of its last 4 and scoring at least 31 points in its last 3 outings. The Scarlet Knights defense also stepped up to the plate, allowing 19 or fewer points in 3 of their last 4.
Take the side that ended the regular season on a high note. BACK RUTGERS +7 (-115).
Over/Under
BET OVER 50.5 (-105).
Both teams have competent quarterbacks that should aid scoring. The Scarlet Knights tallied at least 26 in 5 of their last 6 games and went Over in 6 of their last 7, allowing 26 points per game over their final 2 contests.
The Wildcats went 4-4 O/U in their last 8 games and scored at least 29 in 5 of those. Kansas State’s defense also had issues, allowing at least 24 points in 5 of its last 7.
Considering the trends, BET OVER 50.5 (-105).
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