This is a massive game in the Big 12 for two teams currently sitting at 2-1 in conference play as the Kansas State Wildcats hit the road to take on the West Virginia Mountaineers. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET at Milan Puskar Stadium in Morgantown, with the game airing on FOX.
Find out why my Kansas State vs. West Virginia predictions see the Wildcats coming out on top and continuing their run for a Big 12 title as I serve up my best college football picks for Week 8 on Saturday, October 19.
Kansas State vs West Virginia prediction and best bet
My best bet
Kansas State -3 (-105 at BetMGM)
Picks made at time of writing may not reflect live odds.
My analysis
The Kansas State Wildcats bounced back from getting dominated at BYU four weeks ago with back-to-back wins over Oklahoma State and Colorado. They are now back in the mix for a Big 12 title run, and it starts with needing to win on the road again this weekend. The good news is they have some positive matchups against the West Virginia Mountaineers here.
The Wildcats have the second-best rushing defense in the country, allowing only 71.7 yards on the ground per game. That includes a matchup with one of the best rushing offenses in the country in Tulane. The Green Wave were held to 4.0 yards per carry in that game, which is a full yard per carry below their season average.
This will be a similar test for the Wildcats defense, as the Mountaineers rank 21st in the country with 210.5 rushing yards per game. West Virginia is coming off a home loss to another ranked Big 12 contender in the Iowa State Cyclones. They were held to 148 yards on the ground and 4.6 yards per carry in that 12-point loss.
Iowa State has a good rushing defense, but nothing like this Wildcat defense. Quarterback Garrett Greene has been solid but has turnover issues. The Mountaineers have a -5 turnover margin, which ranks 111th in the country. Kansas State has picked off their opponents five times this season and will give Greene some issues if he is forced to pass more than usual.
On the other end, the Wildcats rank eighth in the country in rushing offense. That combination of running the ball well and stopping the opposing team from running the ball gives them a huge advantage and will be especially big in this matchup against a mediocre passing team.
Kansas State will go into Morgantown and get another big win to keep up with the top of the Big 12 standings.
Kansas State vs West Virginia same-game parlay (SGP)
Kansas State -3
DJ Giddens 100+ rushing yards
Over 55.5
DJ Giddens is averaging 131.0 yards per game on the ground in his third season with the Wildcats. He has surpassed the 180-yard mark in each of the last two weeks. While I do not expect a repeat performance of that, I could easily see another 100-yard outing. West Virginia has allowed a 100-yard rusher in two different games this season already.
A lot of sharp money is coming in on the Over with 81% of the money but only 40% of the tickets. Both teams are clean in terms of not committing penalties and West Virginia is great at scoring touchdowns in the red zone while also allowing a high touchdown percentage to opponents in their red zone.
Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.
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Kansas State vs West Virginia odds
Kansas State vs West Virginia live odds
Kansas State vs West Virginia opening odds
- Kansas State vs. West Virginia spread: West Virginia +2.5
- Kansas State vs. West Virginia moneyline: Kansas State -140, West Virginia +115
- Kansas State vs. West Virginia Over/Under: 54.5
Odds courtesy of BetMGM
Kansas State vs West Virginia spread and Over/Under analysis
- The spread opened as low as Kansas State -1.5 but has moved up to -3 over the course of the week.
- The total opened as low as 52.5 and has skyrocketed to 55.5.
- Each of the last three matchups have gone Over the total, but the previous seven matchups all went Under the total.
Kansas State vs West Virginia betting trend to know
The winning team has covered the spread in nine of the last 10 matchups between these two teams. Find more college football betting trends for Kansas State vs West Virginia.
How to watch Kansas State vs West Virginia
| Location: | Milan Puskar Stadium, Morgantown, WV |
| Date: | Saturday, 10-19-2024 |
| Kickoff: | 7:30 p.m. ET |
| TV: | FOX |
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