The Kansas State Wildcats (7-1) are in a battle for Big 12 supremacy as they sit one game back of the BYU Cougars. Their four-game winning streak since falling to BYU is a testament to how seriously they will take this matchup.
That is bad news for the Houston Cougars (3-5), who have not been very competitive with the upper echelon of the Big 12.
Oddsmakers have the Wildcats as 12.5-point favorites, and the total set is at 46. The game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET and can be streamed live on FOX.
Read on for my Kansas State vs Houston predictions and college football picks for their NCAAF Week 10 matchup.
Kansas State vs Houston Prediction
- Kansas State vs. Houston Pick: Kansas State -13
My Kansas State vs Houston best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread, of -13, with the best available line at DraftKings.
Kansas State vs Houston Odds
| K State Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-13 -110 | 45.5 -112o / -108u | -520 |
| Houston Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+13 -110 | 45.5 -112o / -108u | +390 |
- Kansas State vs Houston Point Spread: Kansas State -13 (-110) · Houston +13 (-110)
- Kansas State vs Houston Total: Over/Under 45.5
- Kansas State vs Houston Moneyline: Kansas State -520 · Houston +390
Kansas State vs Houston Preview
Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview
The Wildcats have been a tough team to slow down on offense. They come into this matchup ranking 27th in yards per game and 31st in points per game.
Their success stems from a dominant rushing attack led by DJ Giddens, who's averaging 6.5 yards per carry. However, it only starts with Giddens as quarterback Avery Johnson and fellow running back Dylan Edwards have helped lead the Wildcats to the seventh-highest yards per rush in the nation.
This production is spurred by great play from the offensive line, which ranks 19th in Offensive Line Yards. This ground game edge will be evident against the Cougars, who rank 76th in yards per rush allowed and 54th in Defensive Line Yards.
Johnson's constant rushing success has led to success through the air this season. He's 24th in QBR and holds a 16:5 touchdown to interception ratio.
He'll have the opportunity to make more big plays against Houston, which is 81st in Pass Success Rate allowed and 64th in PFF's coverage grade. Long story short, the Wildcats' offense should not slow down one bit in this matchup.
Houston Cougars Betting Preview
The Houston Cougars' fate has been in the hands of the men under center. Both Donovan Smith and Zeon Chriss have been inefficient, and their play has stunted the offense.
Both are highly mobile and involved in the rushing attack, but neither has opened up the offense through the air, limiting the impact made when they use their legs.
Last week, we saw Chriss exclusively, and while the Cougars won, Chriss averaged just 4.7 yards per completion with 13 attempts and 2.6 yards per rush on 17 carries.
The Cougars' offensive identity is unknown, and that is a big problem against the Wildcats' defense, which has been tremendous against the rush. Kansas State ranks sixth in Rush Success Rate allowed and 19th in defensive line yards.
Houston will not be able to get much going on the ground, and the passing attack has yet to look proficient. We likely see multiple stalled drives from the Cougars.
Kansas State vs Houston
Matchup Analysis
Toggle the dropdowns below to hide or show how Kansas State and Houston match up statistically:
Kansas State Offense vs. Houston Defense
 | Offense | Defense |  Edge |
| Rush Success | 22 | 28 | |
| Line Yards | 19 | 54 | |
| Pass Success | 56 | 81 | |
| Havoc | 13 | 64 | |
| Finishing Drives | 51 | 71 | |
| Quality Drives | 66 | 44 | |
Houston Offense vs. Kansas State Defense
| Offense | Defense | Edge |
| Rush Success | 123 | 6 | |
| Line Yards | 117 | 19 | |
| Pass Success | 105 | 64 | |
| Havoc | 133 | 72 | |
| Finishing Drives | 134 | 35 | |
| Quality Drives | 86 | 36 | |
Pace of Play / Other
| | |
| PFF Tackling | 37 | 101 |
| PFF Coverage | 91 | 64 |
| Special Teams SP+ | 19 | 129 |
| Middle 8 | 84 | 60 |
| Seconds per Play | 28.0 (87) | 30.6 (128) |
| Rush Rate | 57% (43) | 61% (33) |
Kansas State vs Houston Pick & Prediction
The Kanas State Wildcats have all the tools to dominate in this matchup. They come in confident, riding a four-game win streak, with big edges on both sides of the football.
We should see them string together scoring drives and stops on their way to a blowout win over Houston.
Pick: Kansas State -13 (-110, DraftKings) | Play to -13.5 (-110)
How to Watch Kansas State vs Houston Live: Start Time, TV Channel, Location
| Location: | TDECU Stadium, Houston |
| Date: | Saturday, Nov. 2 |
| Kickoff Time: | 3:30 p.m. ET |
| TV / Streaming: | FOX |
Kansas State vs Houston will be played at TDECU Stadium in Houston, on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3:30 p.m. ET. You can stream the game live on FOX.
