The 2024-25 college football postseason continues on Wednesday, Dec. 26 with Kansas State and Rutgers meeting in the Rate Bowl. This game takes place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. This is the second all-time meeting between the Wildcats and Scarlet Knights on the gridiron. Rutgers holds a 1-0 series edge after beating Kansas State 37-10 in the 2006 Texas Bowl.
Kansas State was one of the Big 12‘s top title contenders for most of the ’24 season and finished with a solid 8-4 mark. Coach Chris Klieman’s team picked up quality victories against Tulane, Colorado, and Kansas. However, three losses by 10 points or less over the final four games prevented a trip to the Big 12 Championship Game.
Rutgers saw its share of highs and lows in the regular season. The Scarlet Knights started 4-0 but lost their next four matchups to enter November at 4-4. However, coach Greg Schiano’s team won three out of its next four to get bowl eligible and set a record for the most wins by the program in Big Ten play (four).
Rutgers is 7-5 in all-time bowl appearances. Schiano is 6-2 in the postseason with the Scarlet Knights. Kansas State is 11-14 in previous bowl trips. The Wildcats have won two out of their last three postseason treks.
Kansas State vs. Rutgers
Rate Bowl
Location: Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz.
Kickoff: Thursday, Dec. 26 at 5:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Spread: Kansas State -6.5
Over/Under: 50.5
Announcers: Wes Durham, Tom Luginbill, and Dana Boyle
Why Kansas State Will Win
The strength of Kansas State’s offense matches up well against a defense for Rutgers that struggled with injuries and inconsistent play throughout the ’24 campaign.
Quarterback Avery Johnson is a work in progress as a passer (59.1 completion rate) but is still capable of hurting teams through the air (2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns). In addition to doing damage through the air, Johnson is one of the Big 12’s top dual-threat playmakers. The sophomore ran for 548 yards and six scores this year.
Johnson will always see a hefty workload on the ground, but top running back DJ Giddens opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, which means Klieman and his offensive staff could ask a little more from the quarterback in the final game of ’24. In addition to Johnson’s mobility, expect to see plenty from running back Dylan Edwards (350 yards). Rutgers ranks 14th in the Big Ten and No. 115 nationally in success rate against the run. Injuries took a toll on the Scarlet Knights’ front in the regular season, and this unit will have an interim play-caller for the bowl with coordinator Joe Harasymiak departing to be the head coach at UMass.
In addition to the matchup of K-State’s offense against Rutgers’ defense favoring the Wildcats, the battle on the other side of the ball is also favorable for Klieman’s squad. Kansas State ranks No. 17 nationally in defensive success rate and limits opponents to only 21.9 points a contest.
The Wildcats are stingy against the run (114.9 yards a game allowed), excel at getting pressure (31 sacks), and don’t give up much in the way of big plays (just nine of 40-plus yards allowed).
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Why Rutgers Will Win
If Rutgers is going to bring bowl hardware back to New Jersey, Schiano’s squad needs a big day from quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis (2,459 yards and 17 TDs). The Minnesota transfer played some of his best ball down the stretch and faces a Kansas State secondary that showed some vulnerability (No. 56 nationally in success rate allowed through the air).
Kaliakmanis has plenty of weapons to deploy through the air against the Wildcats, including Dymere Miller (57 catches), Ian Strong (38), and KJ Duff (24). With Kansas State’s secondary hit by opt outs and transfers, the passing game will have a chance to move the ball on Thursday.
Running back Kyle Monangai opted out to prepare for the NFL Draft, but Rutgers isn’t thin on options in the backfield. Antwan Raymond (344 yards) and Ja’shon Benjamin (67 yards) form a capable one-two punch to battle a tough K-State rush defense.
Although Rutgers struggled with injuries on defense throughout the ’24 season, this unit did limit three of its last four opponents to 19 points or less. With a month to get ready for the bowl, Schiano and his defensive staff should be able to form a solid gameplan to slow K-State’s ground game.
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Final Analysis
The combination of Johnson, Edwards, and a tough K-State defense is likely to be too much for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are hard to beat in bowl games under Schiano, but the Wildcats have an edge on both sides of the ball and should pull away in the fourth quarter to secure the Rate Bowl victory.
