UT Martin vs Kansas State Prediction College Football Picks 8/31/24

In this article we will formulate a UT Martin vs Kansas State prediction for this College Football game on Saturday, August 31st at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this matchup. 

UT Martin Skyhawks Betting Preview

The UT Martin Skyhawks were 8-3 (5-1) last season and they finished first in the OVC. UT Martin opened the season with a 48-7 loss against Georgia, but they won the next six games, before losing to Gardner-Webb. UT Martin won two of their last three games, with the loss coming against Samford by a score of 27-17. UT Martin had a successful 2023 season and only lost two games against FCS opponents. 

UT Martin is returning 14 starters from last season and they added more than a dozen players from the transfer portal. The Skyhawks do return their starting quarterback, but they do have to replace their leading rusher. The wide receiver group returns quite a bit of production and the offensive line should be solid, so the only real question is at quarterback. 

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview

The Kansas State Wildcats went 9-4 (6-3) last year and they finished tied for fourth in the Big 12 with West Virginia and Iowa State. Kansas State opened the season with a 45-0 win over SE Missouri State, then beat Troy by a score of 42-13. The Wildcats dropped thrilling games against Missouri and Oklahoma State in two of the next three games but did beat Texas Tech, TCU, and Houston very easily. Kansas State was sitting 6-2 on the season, but they finished the regular season by going 2-2, with two losses against Texas (OT) and Iowa State. Kansas State defeated NC State by a score of 28-19 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. 

Kansas State has a ton of optimism this season, which starts with Avery Johnson at quarterback. Johnson is a dual-threat QB that played very well in the Bowl game last year. The running game should be very solid, as DJ Giddens does return, and the offensive line is always expected to be very strong. On the outside, the Wildcats do have to replace a good amount of production at wide receiver. Defensively, Kansas State was very inconsistent last year and I think we will see more of the same this season. 

Why Kansas State will beat UT Martin

• Kansas State has won each of its last nine home games against non-FBS teams.
• Kansas State has covered the spread in six of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Total Points Facts

• Four of Kansas State’s last five games against non-conference opponents at Bill Snyder Family Stadium have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

• Kansas State ranked T6th among FBS teams for Q3 win percentage last season (.769).
• Kansas State ranked 7th among FBS teams for Q2 points per game last season (12.5).

UT Martin vs Kansas State Prediction 

Kansas State had a pretty solid 2023 season and they will look to find more success here. The Wildcats should have plenty of explosive plays with the weapons they have in the running game and I expect them to score a ton of points in this game. UT Martin should find the end zone a couple of times, but they won’t be able to keep this game close. I do think the Skyhawks will have a solid season in the FCS, but it will take some time with all of the transfers they brought in. These big spreads are never easy to figure out, but I think Kansas State could score 50+ points. Take the Wildcats at home. 

David Racey's Pick: Kansas State -36