Wildcats vs Cyclones NCAA Football Spread/Handicapping
The No. 5 Kansas State Wildcats head to Jack Trice Stadium to take on the Iowa State Cyclones this weekend, and while both have found success in the first half of 2012, only one is considered a title contender.
No. 6 Kansas State Wildcats (5-0) vs Iowa State Cyclones (4-1)
Saturday October 13, 2012
Jack Trice Stadium, AMES, IA
12:00 PM ET
Moneyline: Kansas State -250, Iowa State +210 from BetOnline.com
Spread: Kansas State -6.5
O/U: 49
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The Wildcats have one marquee victory so far this season over Oklahoma, and the Cyclones are looking for that same thing this Saturday against Kansas State.
Kansas State Wildcats
The Kansas State Wildcats are the fifth ranked team in the country, and their quarterback Collin Klein is a big reason why. His passing numbers aren’t anything to gawk at (887 YRDS, 7 TD, 67 CMP%), but his dual-threat abilities and leadership qualities have them looking like true contenders. Having rushed for 405 yards and seven touchdowns in 2012, the senior has looked outstanding on multiple occasions.
Although the team is just 111th in the nation in passing yards (177.4 per game), they’re ninth in rushing (262.8 yards per game) and they score the 11th most points per game (43.6).
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The team also gives up just 15.6 points per contest. They’ve yet to allow more than 21 points in a single outing this season, and the defense has looked crisp and disciplined all year.
Kansas State wiped the floor with Kansas last week. While they’re undoubtedly feeling good now, they were probably feeling the same when they beat their in-state rival 59-21 in 2011. What happened the following week? The team came out and dropped a 58-17 loss at home against Oklahoma. Iowa State is no Oklahoma, but the Wildcats need to remember that every week counts.
Iowa State
The Iowa State Cyclones may be unranked in the AP Poll, but they were able to sneak into the top 25 in the coaches poll for week seven. The team is coming off a 14-point victory over then-ranked 15th TCU last weekend.
It’s been the defense that has been the anchor for Iowa State up to this point. The team is third in the Big 12 in scoring defense, they’ve created 12 turnovers for opposing offenses (No. 4 in the conference) and they have two big-time linebackers in Jake Knott and A.J. Klein. Another piece to the puzzle is Jacques Washington, who is tied for the most interceptions in the Big 12 with three. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Defense is going to be crucial for Iowa State considering their offense has struggled to produce at times this season. Their offense hasn’t needed to put up the kind of numbers they’ll likely need Saturday against a Kansas State team averaging 43.6 points per game.
The series between these two teams has been tight the last four years, but the Wildcats are the ones who have come out on top each time. The Cyclones are off to their best start in a decade, but they’re going to have to get past their first major opponent this week to keep it rolling.
Kansas State can’t get caught looking ahead to West Virginia if they’re going to take down a tough Cyclones team. Their offense versus Iowa State’s defense is going to be the main attraction in this matchup. If the Wildcats can put up enough points, Iowa State simply won’t be able to outscore them come Saturday.
Trends
Wildcats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 road games.
Wildcats are 11-2 ATS in their last 13 games after accumulating more than 450 totals yards in their previous game.
Wildcats are 10-2 ATS in their last 12 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 games overall.
Over is 6-0 in Wildcats last 6 games following a SU win of more than 20 points.
Over is 13-3 in Wildcats last 16 games following a ATS win.
Over is 6-1 in Wildcats last 6 games after scoring more than 40 points in their previous game.
O/U Pick: Over 49
Score Prediction: Kansas St. 31 – Iowa St. 20
