Rutgers vs Kansas State prediction & betting tips - Dec. 26 - Rate Bowl

The Rutgers Scarlet Knights play the Kansas State Wildcats on Thursday at 5:30 p.m. ET in the Rate Bowl. The game can be seen on ESPN.

Rutgers (7-5) ended its season with a 41-14 win over Michigan State. Kansas State (8-4) is coming off a 29-21 loss to Iowa State in its final regular season.

Rutgers vs Kansas State: Preview

Rutgers is a 6.5-point favorite while the over/under set at 50.5 points.

The Scarlet Knights ended the year going 3-1 after a four-game losing streak in the middle of the season, which put their bowl-eligibility in question. Rutgers will have several players out, but not due to the transfer portal, but rather due to injuries:

• Samuel Brown, RB (injury)
• Kenny Fletcher, TE (injury)
• Logan Blake, TE (injury)
• Victor Konopka, TE (injury)
• Bryan Felter, OL (injury)
• Tyler Needham, OL (injury)
• Wesley Bailey, DL (injury)
• Abram Wright, LB (injury)
• Mohamed Toure, LB (injury)
• Thomas Amankwaa, S (transfer portal)

The Scarlet Knights are led by Athan Kaliakmanis, who has thrown for 2,459 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. He played every QB snap for Rutgers and will finish the year off right. Kyle Monangai has rushed for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns. Dymere Miller has caught 57 passes for 731 yards and four touchdowns.

Kansas State, meanwhile, went 1-3 in its last four games as the Wildcats had a disappointing year in the Big 12. Kansas State has some players in the transfer portal but no true impact players.

• Carver Willis, OT (transfer portal)
• Terry Kirksey, LB (transfer portal)
• Ta’Quan Roberson, QB (transfer portal)
• Justin Wolf, TE (transfer portal)
• Kam Sallis, LB (transfer portal)
• Jordan Dunbar, CB (transfer portal)
• Jayce Brown, WR (transfer portal)

The Wildcats are led by Avery Johnson, who threw for 2,517 yards, 22 touchdowns and nine interceptions. DJ Giddens leads the team with 1,343 rushing yards while top receiver Brown is in the portal and won't play.

Kansas State should be able to get a big win here to end the year with a Bowl win. Johnson will be able to have success even without Brown in the lineup, as Rutgers defense was an issue this season against top quarterbacks.

The Scarlet Knights, meanwhile, will want to run the ball quite often but Kansas State should be able to limit the offense and get a big win here.

Prediction: Kansas State 28, Rutgers 17

Rutgers vs Kansas State: Betting Tips

Tip 1: Kansas State -6.5 (-115)

Tip 2: Under 50.5 points (-112)

Tip 3: Kansas State -3.5 points (-112)