Kansas State vs. Arizona: Staff predictions for Friday’s Week 3 game
Kevin Fielder – Site Editor (2-0; 1-1 ATS)
I’ll be honest, I think this game has the potential to be chaotic. While K-State hasn’t been at its best the last two weeks, there was improvement in the second half of both games. And the staff acknowledged throughout the week that things needed to change on offense.
However, Arizona poses a real threat in the air. Tetairoa McMillan is the best receiver in the country and has made the sport look easy. He’s the perfect blend of size, speed and big-play threat, and he’s going to make big plays against K-State.
I’m still betting K-State will win this game by a hair. These are the games that K-State has historically won by less than Chris Kliemanand I have no reason to believe they can’t bounce back from two relatively poor performances to start the season. It’ll be close, but I think K-State will pull it off.
Score Prediction: Kansas State 34, Arizona 30
Kamden Tatkenhorst – Editor-in-Chief (2-0; 1-1 ATS)
In this Friday night matchup, I expect this game to come down to the wire. How K-State’s defense performs against Arizona’s playmakers will be the deciding factor. It’s rare for this K-State team under Coach Klieman to play poorly on the defensive end for two weeks in a row, so I’m going to bet this Wildcat team will come out on top against Arizona. Give me K-State in a close battle.
Score prediction: Kansas State 31, Arizona 27
Jake Stephens – Editor-in-Chief (2-0; 0-2 ATS)
Kansas State welcomes a new Big 12 opponent to Bill Snyder Family Stadium this weekend, as Arizona travels to Manhattan, Kansas, for the first time in school history. All previous meetings between the two teams have been in Tucson, with Arizona going 5-1-1 against Kansas State, but the meeting hasn’t taken place since 1978.
In a game between new conference opponents that won’t count as a conference game, also taking place on Friday the 13th, expect this game to get weird. Don’t be surprised to see another Kansas State special teams score, this time potentially on a Dylan Edwards punt return.
I expect this game to be a back-and-forth battle, with Arizona having a very potent passing attack, but ultimately I think K-State’s run defense and ability to pound the ball in the running game leads to a two-possession victory for the Manhattan Wildcats.
Score prediction: Kansas State 45, Arizona 34
Grant Snowden – Editor-in-Chief (2-0; 0-2 ATS)
I think Kansas State’s defense will be too strong for Arizona, especially the front 7. I think Fifita throws a few touchdowns by beating the secondary defense after a disappointing performance last week from both teams.
However, Kansas State’s offense will be too strong and we’ll stretch the playbook to the max today. If Dylan Edwards gets more touches tonight, I like the Cats by a touchdown.
Score prediction: Kansas State 34, Arizona 27
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