Free College Football Picks Today: Baylor University Bears vs Kansas State Wildcats 11/12/22

Offense meets defense when the Baylor University Bears (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) play host to the No. 23 Kansas State University Wildcats (6-3, 4-2 Big 12) at McLane Stadium on Saturday. The Bears are 2.5-point favorites, and the total is 53.5.

Kansas State is coming off a 34-27 loss against Texas at Bill Snyder Family Stadium last Saturday. Adrian Martinez was 24 of 36 for 329 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. Deuce Vaughn ran 19 times for 73 yards. He added seven receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. Malik Knowles caught three passes for 93 yards.

Baylor won for the third straight game last Saturday, beating Oklahoma 38-35 at Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Blake Shapen threw for 132 yards and an interception. Craig Williams carried 25 times for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Josh Cameron had five receptions for 72 yards.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Bears won the only meeting between the teams last season, a 20-10 victory in November, their fourth straight win against Kansas State. Trestan Ebner had a rushing touchdown for Baylor.

TALE OF THE TAPE

The Wildcats are averaging 30.6 points per game for the season, 54th in FBS, and they are facing a Bears defense that has surrendered 24.6 PPG (52nd). Meanwhile, Baylor has scored 38.3 points a game this season, 14th in the nation, and Kansas State is allowing 19.1 PPG (18th).

The Wildcats rank as one of the nation’s top teams in rushing yards per game (218.1, 15th), while they are 105th in passing yards (201.1). The Bears are 65th in passing yards allowed per game (227.9) and 41st against the run (127.1).

Baylor has been one of the nation’s top rushing teams, averaging 210.3 yards per game (19th), while ranking 62nd in passing yards (241.1). The Wildcats are allowing 218.9 passing yards (57th) and 148.3 rushing yards per game (71st).

TOP PERFORMERS

Through eight games, Adrian Martinez has thrown for six touchdowns (1 INT) and 154.5 yards per game to lead Kansas State in passing. In three away games this season, he has two TDs and an average of 162.3 yards passing.

Deuce Vaughn leads the team in rushing with an average of 108.3 yards a game over nine games. He has five touchdowns on the ground and one through the air. Malik Knowles is the Wildcats’ leading receiver with 60.0 yards a game and one TD.

Blake Shapen has 13 passing touchdowns (6 INT) with 216.8 yards per game through nine games to lead Baylor. In four home games this season, he has thrown for six TDs (5 INT) and an average of 226.8 yards.

Richard Reese has been the home team’s leading performer on the ground, averaging 88.7 yards a game through nine games. He has 13 touchdowns. Gavin Holmes has been a key target in the Bears’ aerial attack. He has three touchdowns and a 59.2 yard per game average through eight appearances.