Table of Contents
The Pop-Tarts Bowl sees the Kansas State Wildcats and the NC State Wolfpack square off on Thursday, December 28, 2023. The matchup starts at 5:45 PM ET and airs on ESPN.
The Wolfpack are underdogs, but by less than a field goal (+2.5), against the Wildcats (with an over/under of 47.5 points).
Create your Pick’em Pool with the Internet’s #1 pool creation and hosting platform. Get 15 friends together and play for free!
Start here >
Game Info for Kansas State vs. NC State
- Game Day: Thursday, December 28, 2023
- Game Time: 5:45 PM ET
- TV Channel: ESPN
- Location: Orlando, Florida
- Stadium: Camping World Stadium
| Favorite | Spread | Favorite Spread Odds | Underdog Spread Odds | Total | Over Total Odds | Under Total Odds | Favorite Moneyline | Underdog Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kansas State | -2.5 | -110 | -110 | 47.5 | -109 | -111 | -138 | +116 |
Kansas State Pick Insights
- So far this season, Kansas State has posted an 8-4-0 record against the spread.
- In games it has played as at least 2.5-point favorites this season, Kansas State is 6-4 against the spread.
- Kansas State has gone over in seven of its 12 games with a set total (58.3%).
Kansas State Stats & Insights
- Kansas State owns the 58th-ranked defense this season (370.3 yards allowed per game), and has been more effective offensively, ranking 22nd-best with a tally of 446.3 yards per game.
- Kansas State has the 30th-ranked defense this year (21.2 points allowed per game), and has been better offensively, ranking 10th-best with 37.8 points per game.
- Kansas State ranks 51st in pass offense (246.4 passing yards per game) and 75th in pass defense (230.2 passing yards allowed per game) this season.
- Kansas State has the 47th-ranked defense this year in terms of rushing yards (140.2 rushing yards allowed per game), and has been more effective on the other side of the ball, ranking 13th-best with 199.9 rushing yards per game.
- Kansas State has been a tough opponent for opposing teams on third down, ranking top-25 in both third-down offense (eighth-best with a 49.1% third-down conversion rate) and third-down defense (eighth-best with a 28.7% third-down conversion rate allowed) this season.
- Kansas State has forced 22 total turnovers (20th in the FBS) this season and have turned it over 11 times (12th in the FBS) for a turnover margin of +11, the fifth-best in college football.
Kansas State’s Best Players
- Will Howard has recorded 2,643 yards (220.3 ypg) on 219-of-358 passing with 24 touchdowns compared to 10 interceptions this season. In addition, he’s added 354 rushing yards (29.5 ypg) on 81 carries while scoring nine touchdowns on the ground.
- DJ Giddens has 1,075 rushing yards on 195 carries with nine touchdowns. He’s also added 28 catches for 286 yards (23.8 per game) and two touchdowns via the passing game.
- Treshaun Ward has racked up 651 yards on 125 attempts, scoring five times.
- Ben Sinnott’s team-leading 676 yards as a receiver have come on 49 catches (out of 75 targets) with six touchdowns.
- Phillip Brooks has put up a 589-yard season so far with five touchdowns, hauling in 53 passes on 82 targets.
- Jayce Brown has hauled in 22 catches for 385 yards, an average of 32.1 yards per game. He’s scored two times as a receiver this season.
- Khalid Duke has collected six sacks to lead the team, while also recording seven TFL and 17 tackles.
- Austin Moore, Kansas State’s top tackler, has 57 tackles, nine TFL, and 1.5 sacks this year.
- Kobe Savage leads the team with three interceptions, while also putting up 53 tackles, three TFL, and three passes defended.
NC State Betting Insights
- So far this season, NC State has compiled a 6-4-1 record against the spread.
- NC State has a 4-2-1 record against the spread this year when an underdog by 2.5 points or more.
- Four of NC State’s 11 games with a set total have hit the over (36.4%).
NC State Pick Insights
- NC State has been thriving on defense, allowing just 323.5 total yards per game (25th-best). On offense, it ranks 98th by piling up 346.3 total yards per game.
- NC State has been dominant on the defensive side of the ball, surrendering only 20.2 points per contest (25th-best). On offense, it ranks 69th by piling up 26.8 points per game.
- NC State is putting up 196.3 passing yards per contest on offense this season (100th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is giving up 218.8 passing yards per game (56th-ranked) on defense.
- NC State ranks 78th in the FBS with 150.1 rushing yards per contest, but it has been led by its defense, which ranks 17th-best by surrendering just 104.8 rushing yards per contest.
- NC State’s third-down defense has been leading the way for the team, as it ranks fifth-best in the FBS with a 27.7% third-down conversion percentage allowed. In terms of offense, it is posting a 39.3% third-down rate, which ranks 65th.
- NC State has excelled in terms of turnovers, as its turnover margin of +10 ranks eighth-best in the FBS, with 24 forced turnovers (ninth in the nation) and 14 turnovers committed (33rd in the nation).
NC State’s Best Players
- Brennan Armstrong has thrown for 1,619 yards (134.9 ypg) to lead NC State, completing 62.4% of his passes and tossing 11 touchdown passes and six interceptions this season. He is also a playmaker on the ground, racking up 544 yards (45.3 ypg) on 126 carries with six touchdowns.
- Kevin Concepcion has 64 receptions for 767 yards (63.9 per game) and 10 touchdowns so far while also carrying the ball 38 times for 297 yards.
- Keyon Lesane has caught 28 passes and compiled 247 receiving yards (20.6 per game).
- Bradley Rozner’s 18 catches (on 27 targets) have netted him 208 yards (17.3 ypg) and two touchdowns.
- Davin Vann has racked up 6.5 sacks to lead the team, while also recording five TFL and 37 tackles.
- Payton Wilson has been all over the field, leading the team in both tackles and interceptions. He has 133 tackles, 14 TFL, six sacks, and three interceptions so far.
