The Rate Bowl in Phoenix, AZ will feature a Rutgers vs. Kansas State matchup at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. With the total sitting at 51.5, is the over the best bet on the board?
Game Matchup & Betting Odds
Rutgers Scarlet Knights (+7) at Kansas State Wildcats (-7); o/u 52
5:30 p.m. ET, Thursday, December 26, 2024
Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
TV: ESPN
Rutgers vs. Kansas State Public Betting: Bettors Backing Wildcats
As of this writing, our CFB Public Betting page shows that 68% of bets are on Kanas State. That said, this page is updated frequently so make sure that you click on the link provided so that you’re getting the most updated information.
Monangai skipping bowl for NFL draft
Kyle Monangai is out for the 2024 Rate Bowl to focus on the 2025 NFL Draft, Chris Iseman of NorthJersey.com reports. Currently, Rutgers’ next game is the 2024 Rate Bowl scheduled for Thursday against Kansas State. Monangai is a senior who an NFL team could select during the league’s 2025 draft. To not lower his relatively high stock, he will not risk denting it by participating in Rutgers’ upcoming game.
Without him available Thursday, Antwan Raymond and Ja’shon Benjamin are the Scarlet Knights’ next-best running backs they can use against Kansas State. Monangai began his collegiate career during 2021, when he logged 62 carries for 235 yards and four touchdowns. The senior remained enrolled at Rutgers, improving each and every year as his career proceeded. During 2024, Monangai recorded 256 carries for 1,279 yards (5.0 averaged per carry) and 13 touchdowns across his 11 games. The versatile RB also logged a receiving TD then.
Giddens declares for NFL draft, won’t play in bowl
DJ Giddens has declared for the 2025 NFL Draft, Kevin Fielder of Rivals.com reports. Giddens is coming off another excellent season with the Wildcats. He ran for 1,343 yards and seven touchdowns on 6.6 yards-per-carry this fall, in addition to 21 catches for 258 yards and a score. During his career at Kansas State, he amassed 3,087 rushing yards, 679 receiving yards and 27 touchdowns. He should intrigue NFL scouts with his versatile ability out of the backfield and penchant for the big play.
Rutgers vs. Kansas State Betting Trends
The total has gone OVER in 6 of Rutgers’s last 7 games
Kansas State is 14-6 SU in its last 20 games
Kansas State is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 games
Rutgers vs. Kansas State Prediction
Take the over. Both teams will be without their leading rusher in this matchup. Both teams also had higher expectations than the Rate Bowl, but the programs are led by long-time coaches Greg Schiano and Chris Klieman. Schiano and Klieman know what the extra practices can do for a program and I expect both to maximize their opportunities.
Plus, the over has cashed in six out of Rutgers’ last seven games entering play today. While the under has hit consistently in Kansas State games, Klieman’s offenses are typically better than what the Wildcats have shown. I expect him to dial up a good game plan today against a Rutgers defense that doesn’t consistently rush the passer.
Rutgers vs. Kansas State Prediction: OVER 52