NCAA Football
2025-11-22 - Kansas State Wildcats at Utah Utes
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
United States : College Football Week 13
Saturday 22nd November 2025 - Scheduled 4pm
9pm (British Time)
Preview
A rare losing record in 2024 will have hurt, but the Utah Utes (8-2) are back on more familiar ground this season. They are 5-2 in the Big 12 Conference and the Number 12 team in the latest Playoff Rankings, but the Utes are going to need to find a way to push into the Championship Game and they need some help to do that.
The focus has to be on maintaining their own form though and Utah know that they have to win out to have any hope, regardless of what help they may, or may not, receive from others in the Conference.
They play the Kansas State Wildcats (5-5) in Week 13 and there has to be a respect for a team that are still chasing one more win to secure Bowl eligibility. This is also a team that has become accustomed to finishing with winning records, even if they are not going to match the win totals reached in each of the last three seasons, and Kansas State have a 4-3 record within the Big 12.
Kansas State have won three of the last four games played, but they are going to be travelling to face one of the tougher Defensive units in the Conference.
Everything begins at the Line of Scrimmage for the Utah Utes and the Defensive Line will feel they can contain the run and force teams to beat them from third and long spots. Stalling drives and winning the field battle is very important, while Avery Johnson will know that this is a Secondary that is going to be looking to turn the ball over with the pressure that the Utes can put on any Quarter Back when pushing them behind the chains.
In recent games the Utes have had big leads and that has forced teams to throw against them- it has allowed Quarter Backs to put up some decent numbers, but Utah's Secondary will have allowed some of those and so Johnson has to expect another tough game.
Quarter Back injuries hurt the Utes last season and they have had issues with the health of Devon Dampier in 2025.
However, this year the Utes have had Byrd Ficklin come into games and his dual-threat ability out of the position has allowed Utah to keep chugging along nicely. Last week Ficklin was dominant on the ground and the Utah Offensive Line have been pummelling teams during this three game winning run, which will put pressure on Kansas State.
The Utes have not needed to throw the ball too much in this winning run, but they will be able to do what is necessary if they are in third and short spots on the field.
Both Quarter Backs are expected to have a chance to shine in this one and the Utah Utes can do that, even if this is a huge spread to take on against what is always a feisty Kansas State team.
The Wildcats were blown out by the Texas Tech Red Raiders at home earlier this month though and they may struggle to keep up with the Utes if being forced into obvious passing situations. Consistency from Utah on the Offensive side of the ball and a turnover or two could just see the Big 12 contenders stay alive, for a few more hours at least, in the race to reach the Championship Game.
Prediction
Lay the points with the home favourite.
The Pick :
Utah Utes 31-10 Kansas State Wildcats
