Kansas State will start sophomore quarterback Dillon Duff in his first career appearance when the Wildcats face Colorado on Saturday in Boulder, as both teams desperately need a win to get their seasons back on track.
Duff gets the start after Avery Johnson and Jacob Knuth were both ruled out due to injuries. The sophomore has yet to take a snap in his two seasons at Kansas State, meaning his first college action will come as the Wildcats’ starting quarterback on the road in a Big 12 game.
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 quarterback situation dramatically changes the outlook for Kansas State, but the Wildcats should still have opportunities against a Colorado defense that surrendered 598 yards to Oklahoma State last weekend. Expect Kansas State to lean heavily on its running game as Duff gets his first taste of college football.
For Colorado, this feels like one of its best remaining opportunities to finally break through in Big 12 play. The Buffaloes now get Kansas State at home with the Wildcats turning to their third starting quarterback in three games.
Here is everything you need to know about Kansas State vs. Colorado in Week 9, including the latest odds, our updated 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: What Can Kansas State Expect From Dillon Duff?
Kansas State will officially turn to sophomore Dillon Duff at quarterback against Colorado, and there may not be a bigger wild card in the Big 12 this weekend.
Duff will make his first career start despite having yet to take a snap in his two seasons at Kansas State. With Avery Johnson and Jacob Knuth both unavailable due to injuries, the Wildcats are now down to their third starting quarterback in three games.
The good news for Duff is that Kansas State shouldn’t need him to carry the offense. The Wildcats can lean heavily on their running game against a Colorado defense that surrendered 598 total yards and 212 rushing yards to Oklahoma State last weekend.
Still, there’s a big difference between being a backup quarterback in practice and taking your first college snap as the starter on the road in a Big 12 game.
How Duff handles that moment could ultimately determine whether Kansas State leaves Boulder with a much-needed win.
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.
