Bowl Predictions: Will Kansas State cover spread vs. UCLA? 12/26/17
Is Kansas State a good bet to cover the spread tonight in the Cactus Bowl? The Wildcats will take on UCLA at 9:00 p.m. ET.
The Odds: Kansas State vs. UCLA, 9:00 p.m. ET, Cactus Bowl
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Wildcats are 6.5-point favorites to beat the Bruins. UCLA opened as 2.5-point underdogs before the number moved. The total, meanwhile, hit the board at 62 points but was bet down slightly to 61.5.
The Wildcats enter play with a 7-5 record and are 5-6-1 against the spread. The Bruins, meanwhile, are 6-6 straight up and 4-8 against the number.
Kansas State Wildcats Injury Report
Quarterback Jesse Ertz is out for the season after suffering a knee injury back in November. Offensive lineman Dalton Risner (shoulder) is also out, while D.J. Reed (undisclosed), Kendall Adams (foot) and Dayton Valentine (undisclosed) are all questionable.
UCLA Bruins Injury Report
Signal caller Josh Rosen (concussion) is doubtful while Darren Andrews (knee) and Kenny Lacy (hip) are both out. Jaelan Phillips (undisclosed) is questionable.
Our Prediction
Jim Mora was fired a couple of weeks ago and without Rosen I can’t see UCLA being motivated to win this game. Meanwhile, the Wildcats always play well under Bill Snyder. It’s rare when Kansas State isn’t prepared so I don’t have to worried about motivation.
The Wildcats are 5-1 against the spread in their last six games played in December. They’re 6-2-1 against the number in their last nine games after accumulating less than 170 yards passing in their previous game. Finally, Kansas State is 3-0-1 at the betting window in their last four games coming off an ATS loss.
The Bruins are just 4-10 against the spread in their last 14 games overall, are 2-9 against the number in their last 11 games coming off a win, and have failed to cover in seven of their last eight conference games.
Cactus Bowl Prediction: Kansas State Wildcats -6.5
