K-State Wildcats vs. Rutgers Scarlet Knights: Rate Bowl time, TV, odds and prediction

The Kansas State football team had bigger goals than a postseason game against Rutgers at the Rate Bowl, but that doesn’t mean Chris Klieman and the Wildcats are bummed out about playing this game at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Quite the contrary.

This game has turned out to be a nice consolation prize for both teams.

It is particularly important for K-State because it gives the Wildcats an opportunity to beat a team they would never otherwise play. The bowl system doesn’t give us many Big Ten/Big 12 matchups. This is the only such game on the calendar this postseason. And K-State hasn’t faced a Big Ten opponent (unless you count UCLA) since 2013 when it trounced Michigan 31-14 at the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl.

When Klieman found out how rare this matchup is, it became clear he wants to give his conference bragging rights.

“Our guys are really excited about the fact that we are going to get to play a Big Ten school,” Klieman said. “This is the only Big Ten-Big 12 matchup in bowl games. That’s pretty neat.”

Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday’s game ...

Kansas State vs. Rutgers

Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. (central) Thursday

Where: Chase Field, Phoenix

TV/stream: ESPN

Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita

The line: Kansas State by 6.5 with an O/U of 50.5

Rate Bowl prediction

This figures to be a good bowl matchup for Kansas State.

Rutgers won seven games this season despite allowing teams to run for an average of 4.9 yards per carry, a number that ranked 17th in the Big Ten. But the Scarlet Knights may not be so fortunate against a K-State offense that loves nothing more than running the ball.

Even without starting running back DJ Giddens, who is off to the NFL after rushing for more than 3,000 yards in a purple uniform, K-State should be able to move the ball on the ground against this defense.

Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson are both talented runners who are capable of making big plays. They have simply been stuck behind Giddens on the depth chart. Quarterback Avery Johnson should also be able to move the chains with his legs against a team that isn’t accustomed to his speed.

Now, it’s worth pointing out that K-State was unable to take advantage of a similarly weak run defense when it lost to Iowa State in the final game of the regular season. But ISU coach Matt Campbell long ago figured out how to cause problems for the Wildcats. He is Klieman’s ultimate nemesis in the Big 12.

Rutgers coach Greg Schiano hasn’t been studying the K-State offense for years. The Scarlet Knights also won’t have a full-time defensive coordinator for this game.

Big 12 defenses figured out K-State’s offense late in the year. It might help the Wildcats to play an unfamiliar opponent.

I expect the Wildcats to take advantage of that and dominate this game on the ground.

The biggest concern for K-State heading into this game is that it will be missing more key players than Rutgers. The Wildcats won’t have usual starters Carver Willis (right tackle), Jacob Parrish (cornerback), Keagan Johnson (wide receiver) or Giddens in Phoenix.

It’s possible that Rutgers can exploit some of those holes with quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis and top receiver Dymere Miller. But star running back Kyle Monangai has “opted out” and will not play.

Schiano has a 6-2 record in bowl games for a reason. He will have Rutgers ready to play in downtown Phoenix.

But that won’t matter if Rutgers can’t stop Kansas State’s rushing attack.

K-State 28, Rutgers 20

Last game prediction: Iowa State 34, K-State 30

Actual score: Iowa State 29, K-State 21

Season record: 8-4

Season record ATS: 6-6

Season record O/U: 7-5.