Missouri vs. Kansas State Wildcats football: Prediction for the Tigers, betting line, TV

THE DETAILS

Kickoff: 11 a.m. Central time Saturday

Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium, Manhattan, Kansas

TV: ESPN2

Radio: KMBZ (98.1 FM, 980 AM)

The line: Kansas State by 7 1/2

PREDICTION

The Tigers blew out Louisiana Tech 52-24 in last week’s opener, and many good things happened. Freshman wide receiver Luther Burden III was electric. The transfers on defense made big plays and the unit overall looked improved over last season. And quarterback Brady Cook was steady in his first game as a regular.

There also were enough issues to concern Coach Eli Drinkwitz, entering the program’s most difficult non-conference game this season. The Tigers committed two turnovers in the red zone. The offensive line didn’t get enough push to convert short yardage situations. A coverage team allowed a long punt return.

Mizzou could handle Louisiana Tech with those mistakes. That won’t fly against the Wildcats. K-State also wasn’t perfect in its handling of South Dakota. Perhaps both programs kept the play-calling and schemes vanilla against lesser opponents.

When considering Missouri’s schedule, two the first four games would present big challenges–Kansas State and a Sept. 24 game at Auburn – and that the Tigers would need to win at least one of them to keep the season moving in a position direction. Here’s the first opportunity.

Kansas State 27, Missouri 24

Last game prediction: Missouri 35, Louisiana Tech 14

2022 record on picks: 1-0

2022 record vs. spread: 1-0