Kansas State couldn’t have asked for a much better start to the Collin Klein era, but the competition takes a significant step up in Week 2 as the Wildcats welcome Washington State to Manhattan for the first-ever meeting between the two programs.
The Wildcats opened the season with a dominant 71-3 win over Nicholls, piling up 559 yards of offense while allowing just 122 total yards in Klein’s head-coaching debut. Washington State, meanwhile, enters at 0-1 after a 24-10 loss to No. 17 Washington in the Apple Cup. The Cougars showed some fight defensively, but three turnovers proved costly, while quarterback Caden Pinnick threw for 142 yards and added 61 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Now K-State gets its first FBS test of the season, while Washington State looks to avoid an 0-2 start under first-year head coach Kirby Moore.
Kansas State vs. Washington State Odds
- Spread: Kansas State -18.5
- Over/Under: 49.5
- Moneyline: K-State -950/Washington State +625
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: What’s Left in the Washington State Tank?
I know it’s only Week 2, but Washington State opened the season with the Apple Cup, the biggest rivalry on its schedule, and played tougher than many expected in a 24-10 loss.
Washington State’s defense didn’t do anything spectacular, but it took a bend-but-don’t-break approach against the Huskies, and it worked. The bigger problem was an offense that remained completely stagnant, finishing with fewer than 250 total yards and three turnovers.
That’s not going to cut it against a Kansas State team that’s capable of putting up points at home after hanging 71 on Nicholls last week. Quarterback Caden Pinnick, a UC Davis transfer, looked in over his head at times in the Apple Cup. Now, working behind a mediocre offensive line against a stout Kansas State defensive front, things aren’t going to get any easier on Saturday.
Kansas State vs. Washington State Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Kansas State 38, Washington State 13
The best-case scenario for Washington State is that its solid portal haul on the edge is enough to keep the Cougars in this game against a Kansas State offensive line that suffered some key injuries before the season.
However, I believe there’s simply too much firepower in the Kansas State backfield for Washington State to keep this game close for long. The Wildcats get their second straight home game to open the season, while WSU has to make a roughly 1,500-mile trip to Manhattan immediately after an emotional rivalry game.
That’s a brutal combination that dramatically favors the Wildcats.
K-State rolls and covers.
