ARIZONA vs KANSAS STATE FREE PICK, COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION 9/13/24

ARIZONA vs. KANSAS STATE (KSU -7, 60.5)

CFB ODDS, CFB PREDICTIONS, CFB PREVIEWS

ARIZONA vs KANSAS STATE FREE PICK, COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREDICTION 9/13/24

WILDCATS @ WILDCATS 9/13/24

Friday night in Manhattan, Kansas, No. 14 Kansas State and No. 20 Arizona square off in a crucial Big 12 matchup. The game was scheduled prior to Arizona and three other Pac-12 teams joining the Big 12 this season. Now, it’s a key early-season conference game.

At Tulane last Saturday, Kansas State (2-0) overcame a 10-point halftime deficit to win 34-27. Halfway through the fourth quarter, the Wildcats recovered a fumble and returned it 60 yards for the winning score. Head coach Chris Klieman isn’t concerned about his team. He likes the leadership his older players brought to the table in leading the Wildcats comeback last week.

Arizona is 2-0 as well, but there were some worries. The Wildcats struggled offensively in their 22-10 victory over FBS opponent Northern Arizona last weekend after giving up 39 points to New Mexico in the first game.

Against the Lumberjacks, Arizona was missing two starters on the offensive line, including senior center Josh Baker. On Monday, coach Brent Brennan expressed uncertainty about Baker's potential to play against Kansas State.

QB Noah Fifita was under increased defensive pressure as a result of the offensive line's patchwork, as he threw for 173 yards after connecting for 422 yards in the first game. Tetairoa McMillan, who had 10 receptions for 304 yards and four touchdowns against New Mexico, received a large portion of that first-game yardage. Last week, he only had two receptions for 11 yards against NAU.

Jacory Croskey-Merritt, Arizona's starting running back, was reportedly held out last week due to eligibility concerns. Brennan stated that his status was unknown for Friday night. Arizona was also 0-for-10 on third downs. That can’t happen if the Wildcats want to continue as a contender for the Big 12 title.

With running back DJ Giddens (238 yards on 32 carries) and skilled backup Dylan Edwards (a Colorado transfer averaging 10.8 yards per carry on nine carries), Kansas State poses a tough task for the Arizona defense. Giddens has seven receptions for 69 yards and a touchdown, making him the team's top pass-catcher.

Kansas State QB Avery Johnson has 77 yards rushing on 11 carries. He’s typically a bigger part of the Wildcats running game. He has completed 29-of-44 passes for 334 yards, thrown four touchdowns and just one interception. Johnson's ability to extend plays with his eyes downfield rather than just sprinting off has impressed Klieman. That also should give Arizona some issues.

In the first game, Brennan's squad had trouble stopping dual-threat quarterback Devon Dampier of New Mexico. Johnson could pose the same problem for Arizona, which has covered in 11 of its last 15 games. Kansas State is just 1-4 ATS in its last five games.

Get free NFL Picks and NFL Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2024 NFL schedule from JA Cavalier, one of the industry's premier expert NFL handicappers. J.A. Cavalier has been  bringing the NFL betting community the best NFL free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best NFL moneyline and run line odds and game totals.

COACH RICK FREE PICK: ARIZONA TEAM TOTAL OVER 24.5

Arizona played its worst game of the past season and a half last week. That isn’t going to happen again, especially in a game of this magnitude. Noah Fifita threw for 422 yards and four TDs in Week 1. WR Tetairoa McMillan had 304 of those yards and all four of the scores. Kansas State QB Avery Johnson hasn’t been all that effective. That may give Arizona an extra possession. Arizona is 11-4 ATS in its last 15 games and the Wildcats have covered in their last six straight games in which they’ve been the underdog. That means they will fight to keep this one close. Before last week, Arizona went 10 straight games going Over this number.