It’s a bowl game, and it’s in Phoenix just after Christmas. There are worse places to be. However, this is a slightly disappointing bowl game for each team.
Rutgers had dreams of becoming what Indiana turned out to be, but it hit a lull. It started out 4-0, lost four straight, and closed out winning three of its last four. This is just the third bowl game since 2014 – it beat Miami in last year’s Pinstripe.
Kansas State came into the season with a team good enough to win the Big 12 and play in the College Football Playoff, but it totally collapsed after a 7-1 start with losses in three of its last four games.
The team has won four of its last six goal games including last year’s Pop-Tarts over NC State.
Rutgers vs Kansas State: How to Watch the Rate Bowl, Game Preview
Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024
Game Time: 5:30 pm ET
How To Watch: ESPN
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Teams: Kansas State (8-4), Rutgers (7-5)
Why Rutgers Will Win
The Scarlet Knights lost just enough talent to be annoying, but not enough to be a killer.
How did Kansas State biff November? It turned it over seven times in the three losses – with three against BYU back in September – and just three times in the other six games against FBS teams. Meanwhile, on the other side, the D stopped taking the ball away in bunches.
Rutgers finished the regular season second behind Vanderbilt in fewest turnovers, the team owns the time of possession battle, and as long as QB Athan Kaliakmanis is connecting, everything is fine.
The Scarlet Knights are 4-0 when he hits 61% or more of his passes and 6-1 when connecting on 58% or more. Kansas State has held just four teams to under the 58% mark.
Why Kansas State Will Win
Rutgers does not have enough pass rushers.
The defense is strong overall, and there is enough tempo control to do things the way the team wants, but Kansas State may be able to take that away by grinding out the ground game.
Star running back DJ Giddens is preparing for the NFL Draft, but the. Wildcats still have the necessary parts to keep things moving.
Surprisingly, Rutgers has not been particularly bad against teams that can run. The issue is more about teams that can throw accurately. That is not what Kansas State does, but when it runs for more than 155 yards, the team goes 7-1.
Kansas State must keep the chains moving, the offensive line must control the tempo, and Rutgers must avoid putting pressure on quarterback Avery Johnson. And …
Rutgers vs Kansas State: Who Will Win?
Kansas State led the Big 12 against the run. As long as the offensive line is productive, and D can hold up against a Rutgers O that might be without Kyle Monangai – that’s still up in the air – this should be a good fight.
However, the rested Rutgers defense should force a few takeaways even with defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak taking over the UMass head coaching job.
It’ll be an interesting 60-minute battle between two well coached teams. Greg Schiano is 6-2 all-time in bowls with Rutgers.
Kansas State’s Chris Klieman is good, too, and his team will be just a wee bit more explosive when it has to.
Rutgers vs Kansas State Rate Bowl Prediction, Betting Lines
Prediction: Kansas State 27, Rutgers 24
Line: Kansas State -7, o/u: 50.5
ATS Confidence out of 5: 1.5
Must See Rating: 3.5
