Kansas State is not a finished product yet but has shown signs of College Football odds improvement. Head coach Chris Klieman has the proven ability to bring new players up to speed. True freshman QB Avery Johnson has emerged as a national sensation. At the onset of the season, there was excitement for the Houston Cougars to join the Big 12. The move has been a big step for head coach Dana Holgorsen and his struggling program. On Saturday, UH visits the defending Big 12 champion Kansas State Wildcats.
Houston Cougars vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, October 28, 2023, 12 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, KS |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN2 |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Houston | +17 -110 | 60½ -110 | +605 |  |
| Kansas State | -17 -110 | 60½ -110 | -855 | |
| ||||
Houston Cougars Team Overview
Last game, the Houston Cougars lost 31-24 against the Texas Longhorns as 23.5-point home dogs. The game went under the sportsbook total of 60.5. Houston has a record of 3-4 straight up, 4-3 against the spread, and 4-3 over/under the total. Houston ranks 55th for total offense, 20th for passing, 108th for rushing, and 69th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 113th overall, 117th against the pass, 92nd against the rush, and 113th for points allowed. Also, Houston ranks 9th for fewest turnovers lost and 41st for takeaways.
CJ Baxter ran 16 yards for the winning touchdown with 5:37 remaining as Texas made the plays it needed down the stretch. The Longhorns dominated the game’s first 17-plus minutes when they roared to a 21-0 lead. But then they sputtered after that, with Houston tying the contest at 24-24 halfway through the fourth quarter. In turn, that set the stage for Baxter and his deciding scoring run. Texas ground out a 53-yard touchdown march that featured five runs and just one pass. Houston drove to the Texas 10-yard line, but Donovan Smith misfired on a fourth-down and one pass with 1:03 to play.
Kansas State Wildcats Team Overview
Last game, the Kansas State Wildcats won 41-3 against the Houston Cougars as 5.5-point home favorites. The game went under the total of 60. Kansas State has a record of 5-2 straight up, 5-2 against the spread, and 4-3 over/under the total. Kansas State ranks 13th for total offense, 57th for passing, 4th for rushing, and 13th for scoring. Defensively, they rank 58th overall, 112th against the pass, 24th against the rush, and 19th for points allowed. Also, K-State ranks 2nd for fewest turnovers lost and 71st for takeaways.
Namely, Will Howard and Avery Johnson alternated drives at quarterback for Kansas State. Hence, the Wildcats walloped TCU in a rematch of last season’s Big 12 Championship Game. Kansas State scored on six of its first seven drives to seize game control. Howard was 10-of-16 for 154 yards and three touchdowns. At the same time, Johnson was 5-of-10 for 90 yards and a score. Overall, Kansas State had 587 yards of total offense, 343 yards on the ground, and 244 through the air. Chris Tennant kicked field goals of 27 and 40 yards in the second quarter to take a 27-3 halftime lead. Also, the Wildcats had 406 yards of total offense in the first half, with 238 on the ground.
Houston at Kansas State SBG Free Picks
As was previously noted, Houston’s defense is a liability with the College Football odds. Kansas State is more physical and deeper.
Houston at Kansas State SBG Best Bet: Kansas State Wildcats.