The Arizona State Sun Devils host the Kansas State Wildcats in Big 12 action on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are 1-2 in conference play, and both very much need the win to keep themselves on the good side of the standings. Both teams have a lone conference win over Kansas. Arizona State has dropped games to Texas Tech and Baylor, while K-State has dropped games to Houston and Cincinnati. On the whole, I think Kansas State is the better team, and while the Sun Devils are hoping that home field brings them an advantage, I like the Wildcats better in this spot. Give me Kansas State -3.5.
The Wildcats are still a run-first team, even with a new coaching staff. They still have Avery Johnson at QB, a read-option, dual-threat guy. And this team loves to get downhill and just run the ball. The problem is that ASU has had real issues dealing with run-heavy teams. Both Baylor and Tech piled up tons of yards on the ground, and Kansas State is more determined to run than either of those teams. I expect the ground game to be the difference as the Sun Devils struggle to keep pace.
Kansas State vs Arizona State prediction: Kansas State -3.5 (-105) available at the time of publishing. Playable to -6.5.
