NC State vs. Kansas State odds: Pop-Tarts Bowl point spread released
The Pop-Tarts Bowl matchup has officially been set, pitting NC State against Kansas State in an ACC vs. Big 12 matchup. And the early point spread has been released.
The Wildcats will open as a 6.5-point favorite over the Wolfpack, according to lines listed by FanDuel. The over/under has been set at 48.5 points.
How to watch NC State vs. Kansas
Time: 5:45 p.m. ET
Channel: ESPN, FuboTV
Location: Orlando, Fla.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl will pit two teams that finished just under the elite teams in their conferences, with NC State winning nine games and Kansas State winning eight.
Both have some marquee wins to their credit, with NC State topping both Clemson and North Carolina and Kansas State besting a ranked Kansas squad.
The Wolfpack have gotten by on the back of a top-25 defense, while the offense has mostly been stuck in the mud this season.
NC State boasts the nation’s No. 24 scoring defense (20.2 points allowed per game) and the No. 25 total defense (323.5 yards allowed per game). But the offense is as equally bad as the defense is good. The Wolfpack rank No. 69 in scoring offense (26.7 points per game) and No. 96 in total offense (346.3 yards per game).
Quarterback Brennan Armstrong has been both the leading passer and the leading rusher, throwing for 1,621 yards, 11 touchdowns and six interceptions, while also rushing for 544 yards and six scores.
He’s had one top target in the passing game: receiver Kevin Concepcion. Concepcion has logged 767 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns. He’s also the team’s second-leading rusher, with 297 yards on the ground.
On the other hand, Kansas State has gotten it done with a high-quality offense and an above-average defense.
The Wildcats rank No. 11 in scoring offense (37.7 points per game), No. 23 in total offense (446.1 yards per game), No. 28 in scoring defense (21.2 points allowed per game) and No. 56 in total defense (370.3 yards allowed per game).
At times Kansas State has employed the use of two quarterbacks, with Avery Johnson serving as a capable rushing threat next to starter Will Howard. Howard, though, is the team leader.
Howard has thrown for 2,643 yards and 24 touchdowns, against 10 interceptions. He’s also run for 351 yards and nine touchdowns. Johnson has rushed for six scores and 225 yards.
Running back DJ Giddens helps balance the attack, rushing for 1,075 yards and nine touchdowns.
At receiver things have gotten done by committee, but tight end Ben Sinnott leads the way with 676 yards and six scores. Phillip Brooks has chipped in 589 yards and five touchdowns.
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The Pop-Tarts Bowl will be played on Dec. 28 at 5:45 p.m. ET with a broadcast on ESPN.