The Kansas State Wildcats may have dug too much of an early hole to contend for the Big 12 title themselves, but consecutive victories over TCU and Kansas have shown that these felines still have some serious fight in them. Can they keep it up this weekend at home against a top-15 team? Saturday’s Texas Tech vs. Kansas State matchup (3:30 p.m. ET, FOX) shapes up to be one of the most interesting games on this week’s college football schedule.
After an agonizing loss at Arizona State, 13th-ranked Texas Tech (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) got back on track last week with a 42-0 shutout of overmatched Oklahoma State. The Cowboys were no match for the Red Raiders, who outgained them 370-182 and wrapped up the victory well before halftime.
This week brings a much tougher contest for Texas Tech, as they make the trip to the Little Apple for a road tilt vs. Kansas State (4-4, 3-2 Big 12), who is coming off a 42-17 win at Kansas.
With four games remaining for everyone but Arizona and UCF, No. 10 BYU (8-0, 5-0 Big 12) and No. 17 Cincinnati (7-1, 5-0) are setting the pace atop the Big 12 standings, with Texas Tech and No. 22 Houston (7-1, 4-1) also in the mix. The outlook is not as favorable for No. 24 Utah (6-2, 3-2), TCU (6-2, 3-2), Arizona State (5-3, 3-2), and Kansas State, but with a lot of football still left, some twists and turns may yet come.
Therefore, this matchup holds a lot of weight for both the Wildcats and Red Raiders. Who will take the win? Read on for our Texas Tech vs. Kansas State prediction and best bets, as well as the best betting value from top online sportsbooks such as BetOnline.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas State Betting Trends
- Texas Tech is 6-2 against the spread this season, including 2-1 ATS on the road.
- The Red Raiders are 8-11 SU and 9-10 ATS on the road under Joey McGuire, but they are 5-2 SU and 6-1 ATS in their last seven road games.
- The under is 5-3 in Texas Tech’s games this season.
- Kansas State is 4-4 against the spread this season.
- The Wildcats are 2-1 SU and 3-0 ATS as an underdog this season and covered and won outright as an underdog in their last two games.
- The over is 5-3 in Kansas State’s games this season.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas State Prediction and Best Bets
Prediction: Kansas State to win
After consecutive nine-win seasons, Kansas State’s hopes of a first 10-win season and Big 12 title game appearance since 2022 went south with three losses in their first four games, including a loss at Arizona to open conference play.
But things seem to be on the up and up for the Wildcats, who are a blown 14-point lead and a disastrous finish at Baylor away from a four-game win streak.
In last week’s rivalry rout in Lawrence, K-State’s defense showed up and showed out, holding the Jayhawks to just 247 yards, forcing four turnovers, and tallying four sacks and seven tackles for loss.
Offensively, Avery Johnson had yet another productive performance, completing 11 of 17 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns and rushing for two more touchdowns.
Since going 13 for 29 for 88 yards with no touchdowns and tallying -16 rushing yards at Arizona, Johnson has completed 65.5% of his passes for 941 yards with nine touchdowns and one interception and run for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 44 attempts.
With him executing at a high level, Saturday’s game vs. Kansas State is a fine time for Texas Tech starting quarterback Behren Morton to make his comeback to action.
Morton suffered a right leg injury against Kansas on October 11, missed the upset loss at Arizona State the following week, and remained sidelined for the win over Oklahoma State. But reports this week indicate that he will return against Kansas State, after Will Hammond (who tore his ACL against the Cowboys) and Mitch Griffis filled in during his absence.
Morton’s return strengthens Texas Tech significantly, but I really like where Kansas State seems to be now and like their chances to pick up a third straight win.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas State Best Bets
1) Kansas State +7 vs. Texas Tech (+100 at Bovada)
Because the Red Raiders are 7-1 and ranked in the top 15 and the Wildcats are unranked and have four losses, a Texas Tech loss vs. Kansas State would be considered an upset.
But I do not see a potential K-State win as much of an upset, given the true talent of this team, the level they are now playing at, and the setting, as Bill Snyder Family Stadium is not a friendly venue for many visiting teams.
2) Kansas State ML (+240 at Everygame)
As is the case for the Miami vs. SMU matchup, I feel enough confidence in my pick for Texas Tech vs. Kansas State that I’m also recommending the ML in addition to the spread.
3) Avery Johnson (Kansas State) Over 1.5 Touchdown Passes (+122 at Lucky Rebel)
Johnson has thrown for two or more touchdown passes six times this season, including every conference game but the Arizona game.
And during his time as a starter in Manhattan, he has thrown two or more touchdown passes eight times in 10 home games and 10 times in 14 Big 12 games (not counting non-conference games against Arizona last season and Iowa State this season).
Texas Tech’s defense is ninth in FBS in sacks (26) and 10th in yards allowed per pass (5.5 YPA), and has many interceptions as allowed touchdown passes (eight), but I am not at all put off by any of that.
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