The Kansas State Wildcats and Colorado Buffaloes meet on Saturday in Boulder with both teams desperately needing a win to get their seasons back on track.
Kansas State enters Week 9 at 4-3 overall and 1-3 in Big 12 play after a 28-17 loss at Arizona State, while Colorado has dropped five straight games and remains winless in conference play following an ugly 57-24 loss at Oklahoma State.
The biggest storyline for Kansas State remains the quarterback position. Avery Johnson missed last week’s loss and remains day-to-day, while Jacob Knuth is also dealing with an ankle injury. Regardless of who is under center, the Wildcats should have opportunities against a Colorado defense that just surrendered 598 yards to Oklahoma State.
For Colorado, this feels like one of its best remaining opportunities to finally break through in Big 12 play, while Kansas State can’t afford another loss if it wants to salvage its season.
Here is everything you need to know about Kansas State vs. Colorado in Week 9, including the latest odds, our prediction and game pick.
Colorado vs. Kansas State Odds
- Spread: K-State -1.5
- Over/Under: 47.5
- Moneyline: Kansas State -110/Colorado -110
Odds as of Tuesday afternoon. Odds are subject to change.
The Biggest Question: Will Kansas State Quarterback Avery Johnson Play?
Collin Klein says Avery Johnson is day-to-day entering Colorado week. We will see what the injury report shows later in the week, but it’s also important to note that back up Jacob Knuth was not necessarily the problem last week against Arizona State. He finished 26/41 for 194 yards and one touchdown. He also had a rushing touchdown on the day. The Wildcats held a lead in the second half last week at Arizona State before the game unraveled. But of course, having Avery Johnson is definitely preferred for an offense that is lacking in high-end weapons.
Colorado vs. Kansas State Prediction and Pick
Prediction: Kansas State 24, Colorado 20
While the quarterback question is a big one for K-State, I don’t think it’s the deciding factor in this game. Where K-State has struggled is stopping the run. They are in the bottom five in the Big 12 in rushing yards allowed per game. But, the good news is that Colorado is not built around the running game, ranking 15th in the conference in rushing yards per game. What does Colorado want to do? Throw the ball. And now, they face a Kansas State defense that is giving up the fewest passing yards per game and allows the lowest completion percentage in the Big 12.
On the flip side, Colorado’s defense has been improved, but wants to get to the quarterback, and Kansas State has done a good job in preventing sacks, only allowing six sacks over seven games. That negates one of the few bright spots Colorado has had so far this season. Give Knuth another week to practice and learn with the 1’s under Collin Klein’s tutelage and I am comfortable taking the Wildcats on the road.
Lastly, the sloppiness by Colorado is just too hard to overlook in this spot. The Buffaloes rank dead last in the Big 12 in penalty yards per game. On the other side of the ball, Kansas State is the least-penalized team in the league. And in turnover margin, forget it: Colorado is 3rd worst in FBS (135th) in that category. They’ve been their own worst enemy at times. I can’t pick them here, even at home.
Kansas State wins. Kansas State covers.
