Pop-Tarts Bowl: NC State vs. Kansas State odds, picks and predictions
The NC State Wolfpack (9-3) and Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) meet in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla., on Thursday. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET (ESPN/ESPN+). Below, we analyze BetMGM Sportsbook's lines around the NC State vs. Kansas State odds, and make our expert college football picks and predictions.
This is the 1st-ever meeting between these teams on the gridiron.
The Wolfpack finished off the regular season with 5 straight wins and covers, including victories over bowl teams Clemson, Miami, North Carolina and Virginia Tech. The offense came alive in the final 2 contests, posting 74 points, the most explosive offense in consecutive games this season.
QB MJ Morris entered the portal, but veteran QB Brennan Armstrong will get the starting nod in his final game before Coastal Carolina QB Grayson McCall transfers in. Morris is the only notable loss on offense, however.
The Wildcats were tripped up 42-35 in the home finale against Iowa State on Nov. 25, and K-State went just 2-2 straight up (SU) and 1-2-1 against the spread (ATS) in the final 4 outings.
K-State will be without QB Will Howard, as he entered the transfer portal. QB Avery Johnson takes over for him. RB Treshaun Ward was 2nd on the team with 651 rushing yards, 5 TD and 5.2 yards per carry.
TE Ben Sinnott, who also hit the portal, ended up with 48 catches for a team-high 671 yards and 6 TD. The 2nd-leading receiver, WR Phillip Brooks, also left via the portal. He had 589 yards, 1.1 yards per grab and 5 TD. That leaves WR Jayce Brown as the active leader with 22 catches, 385 yards and 2 TD.
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NC State vs. Kansas State odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access Paste BN Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated 10:08 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): NC State +105 (bet $100 to win $105) | Kansas State -125 (bet $125 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): NC State +2 (-110) | Kansas State -2 (-110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 47.5 (O: -110 | U: -110)
NC State vs. Kansas State picks and predictions
Prediction
NC State 25, Kansas State 20
Moneyline
NC STATE (+105) is a decent play in this 1st-ever meeting with Kansas State (-125).
The Wolfpack have their starting quarterback in tow, and explosive freshman Kevin Concepcion is a jack-of-all-trades. He posted 297 yards on the ground, while also hauling in a team-high 64 receptions for 767 yards and 10 TDs. No other player on the roster managed more than 28 receptions and 247 yards. RB Trent Pennix was 2nd on the team with 3 TDs. So, Concepcion has the potential to be the most explosive player in this entire bowl game.
Against the spread
NC State +2 (-110) is only worth playing if you truly believe Kansas State -2 (-110) will win this game by a single point. If not, playing the moneyline is a much better value, and a smarter play.
AVOID.
Over/Under
UNDER 47.5 (-110) is a decent play with K-State breaking in some new personnel at key spots on the offense, especially against a strong NC State defensive unit.
The Wolfpack cashed the Under in 7 of the final 10 games, with a pair of Over results in the final 2 outings. Still, NC state allowed 17 or fewer points in 6 of 12 contests.
The Over was also 3-1 in the final 4 games for K-State, but the Over and Under split 4-4 in the final 8 outings. Again, with a bevy of new skill position players, it could be a slow go, at least initially.
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