Major contenders for the Big 12 title collide in a key conference showdown when the No. 7 Texas Longhorns host the No. 23 Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin. The Longhorns (7-1, 4-1 in Big 12) and Wildcats (6-2, 4-1) enter Saturday in a five-way tie for first in the Big 12 standings with Oklahoma (7-1, 4-1), Iowa State (5-3, 4-1) and Oklahoma State (6-2, 4-1). The top two teams after the regular season will qualify for the Big 12 Championship Game on Dec. 2 in Arlington, Texas. Texas is expected to start Maalik Murphy at quarterback with Quinn Ewers dealing with a shoulder injury.
Kickoff between Texas and Kansas State is scheduled for noon ET. The Longhorns are 3.5-point favorites in the latest SportsLine consensus Texas vs. Kansas State odds, while the over/under for total points scored is 50. Before making any Kansas State vs. Texas picks, you need to see the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine’s proven computer model.
The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Since its inception, the proprietary computer model has generated a profit of well over $2,000 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. Anyone who has followed the model has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has set its sights on Texas vs. Kansas State and just locked in its picks and predictions. You can visit SportsLine now to see the model’s CFB picks. Here are several college football odds and trends for Kansas State vs. Texas:
- Texas vs. Kansas State spread: Longhorns -3.5
- Texas vs. Kansas State over/under: 50 points
- Texas vs. Kansas State money line: Longhorns -178, Wildcats +150
- TEX: Jonathon Brooks ranks fourth in the nation in rushing yards per game (115.4)
- KSU: The Wildcats are fifth in the country in rushing offense (226.0 yards per game)
- Texas vs. Kansas State picks: See picks at SportsLine
- Texas vs. Kansas State: live stream: fubo (try for free)
Why Texas can cover
The Longhorns have one of the best defenses in the country. Led by 362-pound defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat, Texas allows just 16.0 points per game, which ranks second in the conference and 15th in the nation. Last week the Longhorns held BYU to just six points and 4.4 yards per play.
In addition, Texas has a dynamic playmaker in Xavier Worthy. A 6-foot-1 blazer from Fresno, Calif., Worthy ranks fourth in the conference in receiving yards per game (71.5). He also is sixth in the country in punt returns (17.6 per return) and, last week against the Cougars, returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown. See which team to pick here.
Why Kansas State can cover
The Wildcats have transformed offensively over the last three games. Since going to a two-quarterback attack with senior Will Howard and freshman Avery Johnson on Oct. 14 at Texas Tech, Kansas State has averaged 40.0 points and 472.0 yards per game. Howard has thrown for five touchdowns with no interceptions over that time, while Johnson has five rushing touchdowns and two passing scores.
In addition, the Wildcats face a Texas offense that has struggled badly in the red zone this season. In 33 red zone opportunities this season, the Longhorns have scored just 16 touchdowns. Their 48.5 red zone touchdown percentage ranks 122nd in the country. That bodes well for a Kansas State defense that has allowed just six touchdowns on 20 red zone opportunities (30.0%) this season, ranking third in the country. See which team to pick here.
How to make Texas vs. Kansas State picks
SportsLine’s model is leaning Over the point total, predicting a combined 55 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time. You can see the model’s CFB picks at SportsLine.
So who wins Kansas State vs. Texas, and which side of the spread hits nearly 60% of the time? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has notched a profit of well over $2,000 on its top-rated college football spread picks, and find out.