Colorado Buffaloes vs Kansas State Wildcats Picks and Predictions October 12th 2024

ESPN will be covering this week seven matchup between the Kansas State Wildcats and Colorado Buffaloes, set for 10:15 ET at Folsom Field in Boulder. Both teams come in with a 4-1 record this season. The Wildcats are favored by -4 points, and the over/under line is currently at 56.5 points.

Kansas State vs. Colorado Key Information

Kansas State enters Week 7 with a 4-1 record, ranked 21st in our power rankings. They have a 98.3% chance of becoming bowl-eligible and a 10.7% chance of winning the Big 12. The Wildcats also have a 16.2% chance of making the College Football Playoff, according to our projections.

The Wildcats are 2-0 at home and 1-1 on the road this season. They’ve been favored in all five games, going 3-1 as the favorite. Kansas State’s average scoring margin is +11.8 points, and their ATS record stands at 2-2, with a 2-0 mark at home and 0-2 on the road.

The over/under line for this week’s game is 56.5 points. Kansas State’s average over/under line this season is 53.9 points, and they’ve gone 2-2 against the total. Their games have averaged 51 points per contest.

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Heading into week 7, Kansas State’s offense is averaging 31.4 points per game, placing them 39th in the nation. However, they are ranked 27th in our offensive power rankings. Their rushing game is their strength, with an average of 252.8 yards per game, ranking 14th nationally. DJ Giddens leads the team with 604 rushing yards, averaging 7 yards per carry, though he has only scored two touchdowns.

Quarterback Avery Johnson has thrown for 879 yards, with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. Kansas State ranks 106th in passing yards per game, averaging 180.2 yards. They are converting 38.7% of their third-down attempts.

Kansas State’s defense heads into this week ranked 26th nationally, allowing just 19.6 points per game. They’ve been solid against the run, giving up only 109.2 rushing yards per game, which ranks 33rd in the country. However, they’ve struggled against the pass, allowing 244.2 passing yards per game, which is 117th nationally.

In their recent game, a 42-20 win over Oklahoma State, Kansas State’s defense allowed just 20 points and 229 total yards. They held Oklahoma State to 38 rushing yards on 20 attempts and forced two interceptions.

At 4-1 this season, Colorado is ranked 30th in our CFB power rankings. They have a 95.6% chance of becoming bowl-eligible and a 14.5% shot at winning the Big 12. The Buffaloes are 2-1 on the road and will play their first home game of the season against Kansas State.

Colorado’s ATS record stands at 2-1, with an average scoring margin of +8 points per game. They’ve been favored in just one game this season, going 1-0 ATS as the favorite and 1-1 as the underdog.

Their over/under record is 1-2, with an average total of 54 points per game. This week’s line is set at 56.5 points, slightly below their average over/under line of 56.9 points.

Colorado’s offense is averaging 31 points per game, placing them 41st in the nation. They rank 39th in our offensive power rankings heading into week 7. Their passing game is the focal point, ranking 8th in completions and 15th in passing yards, with 326 yards per game. They are 14th in passing attempts, and their completion rate is 69.3%.

Shedeur Sanders leads the team with 1,630 passing yards and a 70.1% completion rate. He has thrown 14 touchdowns and 3 interceptions, with a passer rating of 112. Travis Hunter is the top receiver, with 561 yards and six touchdowns on 46 catches. Colorado’s run game is struggling, averaging just 80.8 yards per game.

Colorado’s defense enters this week ranked 38th nationally, allowing 23 points per game. In their recent 48-21 win over UCF, they gave up 21 points and allowed 273 total yards, including 108 rushing yards on 40 attempts and 165 passing yards, while forcing one interception.

Opponents are averaging 156.4 rushing yards per game against Colorado and 223.6 passing yards. Quarterbacks have completed 65.2% of their passes, with a passer rating of 93.9 when facing the Buffaloes’ defense.

Our projections have Kansas State coming out on top in their week seven matchup against Colorado by a score of 26-25. The Wildcats are currently -4 point favorites, and we believe they will win a close one on the road.

For the over/under, with the line set at 56.5 points, we recommend taking the under, as our model projects a combined total of 51 points.

Contrasting Offenses Clash as No. 18 Kansas State Faces Colorado

This Saturday, two teams with contrasting offensive styles will square off as No. 18 Kansas State travels to Boulder to face Colorado. This is the first time these teams have met since 2010, reviving a rivalry that stretches back to the Big Eight days. The game promises to be a fascinating clash of offensive philosophies, with Kansas State’s dominant ground game going up against Colorado’s potent aerial attack.

Both teams are coming off a bye week, which gives them ample time to prepare for what could be a pivotal matchup in their respective seasons. Kansas State (4-1, 1-1 Big 12) is looking to build on their convincing 42-20 victory over then-No. 20 Oklahoma State, while Colorado (4-1, 2-0 Big 12) is riding high after a 48-21 upset win over UCF, a game in which the Buffaloes shut down the nation’s top rushing attack.

Kansas State’s Ground Game Leads the Charge

Kansas State comes into the game boasting one of the most effective rushing attacks in the nation. The Wildcats are second in the country in rushing yards per carry, averaging 6.93 yards per attempt. They trail only Boise State, who averages 8.18 yards per carry. The dynamic duo of quarterback Avery Johnson and running back DJ Giddens has been a driving force for Kansas State, making them the only QB/RB tandem in the country with a rushing average higher than 7.0 yards per carry.

Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman knows his team’s ground game will be crucial against a Colorado defense that has proven its ability to stop the run.

“We need tremendous balance on offense,” Klieman said. “We can’t put everything into the run game or the pass game. We need to be able to adjust on both sides of the ball.”

Against UCF, Colorado’s defense was impressive, limiting what had been the No. 1 rushing offense in the country to just 177 rushing yards, well below their average of 375.7 yards per game. The Buffaloes’ defensive front was relentless, recording five sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Kansas State’s offensive line will need to be at its best to neutralize that kind of pressure and allow Johnson and Giddens to continue their success on the ground.

Colorado’s High-Flying Passing Attack

While Kansas State relies on its ground game, Colorado does its damage through the air, led by senior quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Sanders has been one of the most prolific passers in college football this season, throwing for 1,630 yards and 14 touchdowns with only three interceptions. He ranks second nationally with 27.6 completions per game and is seventh with 326 passing yards per game.

Shedeur, the son of Colorado head coach Deion Sanders, has shown great poise and precision in his reads and decision-making. Kansas State’s defense will need to be disciplined to handle Sanders’ ability to spread the ball across a talented receiving corps, which includes standouts like Travis Hunter, LaJohntay Wester, and Jimmy Horn Jr.

Kansas State’s Klieman has a deep respect for Sanders’ abilities, praising his football IQ and accuracy.

“Shedeur Sanders will be the first quarterback picked off the board (in the 2025 NFL Draft),” Klieman said. “He should be, based on the film I’ve seen of the top guys. He’s an excellent thrower and you can’t really confuse him. He does a great job pre-snap to post-snap and can make all the throws.”

Travis Hunter has been Sanders’ top target, racking up 561 receiving yards and six touchdowns this season. The Buffaloes also benefit from the play of LaJohntay Wester, who has 260 receiving yards and five touchdowns, and Jimmy Horn Jr., who has added 327 receiving yards and a score.

Defensive Battle: Can Colorado Contain the Run?

Colorado’s defense will be tested once again, this time by a Kansas State rushing attack that is relentless. However, the Buffaloes’ performance against UCF has given them confidence that they can handle any ground game. Shilo Sanders, Colorado’s standout safety and another son of Deion Sanders, is expected to return from injury, which should further bolster the defense.

Head coach Deion Sanders is confident in his team’s preparation and performance so far this season.

“We expect the results when we put in the work,” Sanders said. “We are appreciative in understanding where we are, but it’s not a surprise to us.”

That confidence will need to carry into Saturday’s game as the Buffaloes look to contain Kansas State’s run game and force the Wildcats into uncomfortable passing situations. But the key to victory for Colorado might lie in their ability to balance defense and offense. If Shedeur Sanders can continue to spread the ball and find his playmakers, and the defense can limit Kansas State’s ground attack, Colorado could extend their winning streak to four games.

Key Players to Watch

For Kansas State, the key to success will be their dynamic rushing duo of Avery Johnson and DJ Giddens. Johnson’s ability to make plays with his legs and in the passing game will be critical in keeping Colorado’s defense guessing. Giddens, meanwhile, will look to pound the ball on the ground and control the tempo of the game.

On the other side, Shedeur Sanders will be the focal point of Colorado’s offense. His ability to read defenses and distribute the ball to his talented group of receivers, including Travis Hunter, will be essential for the Buffaloes. If Sanders can avoid turnovers and keep Kansas State’s defense on its heels, Colorado’s offense could put up big numbers.

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Defensively, all eyes will be on Shilo Sanders’ return and how the Buffaloes’ defensive front performs against one of the best rushing attacks in the country. Kansas State’s defense will also need to step up, particularly in the secondary, to slow down the high-flying Colorado passing game.

A Clash of Styles

Saturday’s matchup between Kansas State and Colorado is a classic clash of styles. Kansas State will look to control the clock and dominate on the ground, while Colorado will aim to air it out and rely on Shedeur Sanders to lead them to victory. Both teams are riding momentum and know that a win could propel them further in the Big 12 standings.

As two teams with different offensive identities prepare to collide, this game promises to be an exciting, high-stakes battle with conference implications on the line.