If you want more Action Network content, be sure to add us as a preferred source on Google .
The Kansas State Wildcats take on the Arizona State Sun Devils in Tempe, Arizona, on Saturday, Oct. 24. Kickoff is set for 3:45 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Kansas State is favored by -2.5 points on the spread with a moneyline of -125. Arizona State, meanwhile, enters as a +2.5 underdog and is +104 on the moneyline to pull off the upset. The over/under sits at 55.5 total points.
Here's my Kansas State vs Arizona State predictionand college football pick for Saturday, October 24.
Kansas State vs Arizona State Pick: Kansas State -2.5
My Arizona State vs. Kansas State best bet is on the Wildcats to cover the spread. Find the best line available on our live NCAAF odds page and make sure to download the Action Network app for more picks and analysis.
Kansas State vs Arizona State point spread: Kansas State -2.5 (-106), Arizona State +2.5 (-114)
Kansas State vs Arizona State over/under: 55.5 (-104o / -118u)
Kansas State vs Arizona State moneyline: Kansas State -125, Arizona State +104
The Wildcats had themselves a big win over in-state rival Kansas, coming out with a 35-24 win, after losing two in a row to Cincinnati and Houston.
Kansas State has always been the "what if" program for me. It's a program that has so much potential, but the execution has lacked.
Look no further than quarterback Avery Johnson, who has a ton of skill, but lacks the efficiency to be a top-10 QB.
He has used his legs a lot more and is on pace to shatter his career high in rushing yards. As of now, Johnson is averaging 9.1 yards per carry.
The problem is, he suffered an injury after a 59-yard run last week, and the Wildcats listed him as questionable.
His evasiveness has been a strength, as he's getting sacked 0.6 times per game, which is seventh-best amongst quarterbacks in the FBS. But he has had a lot of help with a stellar offensive line.
Beyond Johnson, he's had a lot of help on the ground with Rodney Fields Jr. and Joe Jackson, who are each averaging five yards per carry.
We're likely going to see a lot of play-action from the Wildcats, which will be more than enough to stifle Arizona State's rough defense.
Kansas State ranks sixth in the FBS, allowing Havoc on only 9% of its snaps, while the Sun Devils generate Havoc on a mere 14.7% of snaps.
Similarly, K-State's defense has been strong, applying significant pressure to the quarterback. Its pass rush consists of Wendell Gregory, Darien Whitaker Jr. and Jayden Bryant, who each have a pair of sacks.
It seems like it was just yesterday that the Sun Devils were once college football's darlings. Time can rear its ugly head so quickly.
It's been an up-and-down season for Arizona State — literally. For every win it recorded, it was immediately followed by a loss, leading to the program's 3-3 record.
And in last week's 53-25 loss to Texas Tech, Kenny Dillingham decided to bench Kentucky transfer Cutter Boley in favor of Fresno State transfer Mikey Keene.
Well, Keene played much to Dillingham's delight, so much that he decided to start Keene for this week's matchup against Kansas State.
Keene is hardly a slouch, having a pair of relatively successful seasons with the Bulldogs, completing 68.8% of his passes, as well as 42 passing touchdowns.
A big reason as to why ASU has struggled so much is that the offensive line has been completely brutal. The Sun Devils allow Havoc on 17.1% of their snaps, which makes sense as to why their QBs get sacked 2.6 times per game, which is 107th in the FBS.
This run game has also not lived up to its ability. Kyson Brown has been more than serviceable, but I wonder how much better this team can be if it better utilized Cardae Mack, who's averaging 8.3 yards per carry on just 29 attempts.
Similarly, the defense is pretty rough. There are some stars in defensive back Montana Warren and defensive linemen C.J. Fite and Jalen Thompson. But overall, it gets beaten frequently on the ground, with some clear holes in the secondary.
I like the Wildcats here, and this is factoring in Johnson possibly being ruled out. Even though Arizona State is playing at home, it got trounced by Baylor in front of its home fans by the score of 55-19.
Kansas State may have hit a rough patch three weeks ago, but the win over Kansas provided the Wildcats with a much-needed energy boost, all things considered.
ASU's roll out of Keene will be interesting to monitor. The Sun Devils can't protect their quarterback, and Keene has attempted only 41 passes and has been sacked four times.
The 'Cats will find a way to get to him one way or another, making this spread pretty attainable for me.
Pick: Kansas State -2.5
