K-State Wildcats vs. UT Martin Skyhawks: Prediction, TV, time and odds for Game 1

The Kansas State football team will begin its quest for a Big 12 championship, and possibly more, when it hosts Tennessee-Martin on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

K-State is coming off a 9-4 season and a victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

UT Martin is also fresh off a winning season and now hoping to win enough games to reach the FCS playoffs.

Here’s everything you need to know about the matchup ...

Tennessee-Martin at Kansas State

Kickoff: 6 p.m. Saturday

Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan

TV/Stream: ESPN+

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

The line: Kansas State by 37.5 with an O/U of 56.5

K-State game prediction

Chris Klieman and his coordinators went out of their way to compliment UT Martin this week.

Klieman said the Skyhawks are the best FCS team he has faced during his time in Manhattan. Offensive coordinator Conor Riley went on and on about the talent on their roster. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman says they are not the type of opponent you can overlook.

Each of those statements might be true.

But none of that should prevent the Wildcats from winning this game by just about any score they choose.

K-State is better across the board and enters the season opener as a massive favorite. Oddsmakers are expecting the Wildcats to win by 37.5 points.

That is a big margin. But the Wildcats can absolutely cover the spread. Last year, they beat Southeast Missouri State 45-0 in their first game and then pounded Troy 42-13 in Week 2.

With Avery Johnson, DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards leading the way on offense, K-State should cruise to a big lead at halftime and then empty its bench in the final two quarters.

It’s hard to project exactly how motivated the Wildcats will be to continue scoring once the game is out of reach, but this is a deep roster that features several players who will be motivated to score. Even with backups in the game, the guess here is that K-State will still be looking to make plays and get in the end zone.

UT Martin went to Georgia last season and lost 48-7 in its lone game against a FBS team. That suggests the Skyhawks are capable of putting together a drive or two against the Wildcats. Still, this should be an opportunity for K-State to show off in front of its home fans. I expect Klieman and his team will take advantage.

Kansas State 44, UT Martin 6