K-State Wildcats vs. UCF Knights: Big 12 football game prediction, odds, TV, time
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- K-State seeks rebound after 1-3 start; UCF aims to validate 3-0 record.
- Wildcats plan schematic changes post-bye to disrupt UCF’s game prep.
- Oddsmakers favor K-State by 5.5 despite Knights’ undefeated season.
The Kansas State football team will return to action against UCF on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
For the Wildcats (1-3, 0-1 Big 12), it’s an opportunity to get their disappointing season back on track. For the Knights (3-0), it’s an opportunity to validate a hot start in their conference opener.
Here’s everything you need to know about the game ...
UCF at Kansas State: Game details
Kickoff: 11 a.m. on Saturday
Where: Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan
TV/stream: FS1
Radio: KCSP (610 AM) in Kansas City, KFH (1240 AM and 97.5 FM) in Wichita
The line: K-State by 5.5 with an O/U of 50.5.
UCF at K-State game prediction
Some Kansas State football fans were surprised when oddsmakers made UCF an underdog in this game.
The Wildcats are off to their worst start since 1989. The Knights are undefeated since the return of head coach Scott Frost.
Shouldn’t UCF be favored?
At first glance, that is a reasonable question to ask. K-State hasn’t beaten a FBS team all season and UCF has looked better than expected. A role reversal will be needed for the Wildcats to win this game by any score, let alone by a touchdown or more.
But here’s the thing about college football: it’s is a crazy sport. Teams can look terrible in one game and then superb in another. Things can really change after a bye week.
With that in mind, I expect K-State to look like a new team this weekend. Coach Chris Klieman promised big changes after the Wildcats dipped to 1-3 with a loss at Arizona. If he follows through, K-State should line up in many new formations and use personnel that we haven’t seen before.
Maybe quarterback Avery Johnson will utilize his legs more in this game. Perhaps Dylan Edwards will be the focal point of the offense now that he is on track to be at “full speed.” Is this the week tight ends get targeted more in the passing game?
On defense, could we see more 3-3-5 formations that feature exotic blitzes? Maybe coordinator Joe Klanderman will shake things up in the secondary.
I don’t know exactly what to expect from the Wildcats on Saturday, but it should be new and different.
UCF coaches won’t be able to prepare for those changes, which should give K-State a schematic advantage.
The Knights might also be due for a let down. They are riding high after early wins over Jacksonville State, North Carolina A&T and Bill Belichick’s woeful North Carolina squad. But all three of those games were played in Orlando. And if we’re being honest, most teams would be 3-0 against that schedule.
A road trip to Manhattan will serve as a major step up in difficulty for the Knights.
It’s worth mentioning that Klieman has a losing record after bye weeks at K-State, but things feel different this time. His team is desperate. If the Wildcats are going to turn the season around, it has to happen now.
K-State will have a rest advantage and the Wildcats will be playing at home. We should see the best version of K-State football on Saturday.
If I’m wrong and the Wildcats fall to 1-4 then there won’t be much reason to trust them as favorites for the remainder of the season.
But this seems like a good time to buy low on K-State.
Game pick: K-State 27 UCF 17
Last game prediction: Arizona 38, K-State 33✅ (Final score: Arizona 23, K-State 17)
Season prediction record: 2-2
Season prediction record ATS: 3-1
Season record O/U: 2-2
This story was originally published September 26, 2025 at 5:00 AM with the headline "K-State Wildcats vs. UCF Knights: Big 12 football game prediction, odds, TV, time."