Kansas State soccer vs UCF rating prediction: Can Wildcats get on observe after week off? – The Topeka Capital-Journal

MANHATTAN — After every week off, Kansas State soccer returns to the sphere, hoping the extra rest is what the team needed after a disappointing first four weeks of the season.
The Wildcats will host UCF on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 11 a.m., at Invoice Snyder Household Stadium in Manhattan. The sport might be televised on FS1.
(Fubo (free trial)).
Ok-State (1-3, 0-1 Massive 12) enters on a two-game shedding streak, falling to Military and Arizona earlier than an open date. The resumption of Big 12 play sees the Wildcats already at 0-1 after losing to Iowa State in a Week 0 sport in Dublin, Eire.
UCF is 3-0 to start the season, with Saturday being its Massive 12 opener. The Knights are of their first season of their second stint underneath Scott Frost, who led the Knights in 2016 and 2017 earlier than leaving for an unsuccessful 5 seasons main Nebraska.
Kansas State has spoken of the “power” it hopes to search out throughout its bye week, which it hopes will assist encourage it to higher success all through the season, however the Wildcats must produce sufficient constructive performs on the sphere that they will get enthusiastic about. Such performs have been tough to search out to this point this season.
Ok-State has the expertise to win on Saturday in opposition to a UCF crew that has improved weekly since its Week 1 victory over Jacksonville State in slender trend. This one might be determined by the Wildcats’ play within the trenches and if they will lastly discover some consistency of their run sport, one thing their offense desperately desires to do.
Final week, UCF beat up on what we all know to be a nasty North Carolina crew coached by Invoice Belichick, successful the sport 34-9. The Knights bought 223 yards passing and a landing from Tayven Jackson, together with the crew’s 143 yards and three scores on the bottom. Jackson contributed 66 dashing yards and one of many scores. UNC needed to change quarterbacks after Gio Lopez threw two picks, whereas the crew mixed for 63 dashing yards. The loss landed Belichick and girlfriend Jordon Hudson on the cover of Us Weekly.
In the meantime, the Knights look like enhancing week-over-week amid their 3-0 begin heading into their first Massive 12 sport. One space to look at is UCF’s capability to run the ball, which hasn’t been significantly sturdy exterior of the 356 yards gained in a 68-7 win over a nasty FCS North Carolina A&T crew. Towards FBS opponents, the Knights are averaging 125.5 yards on the bottom.
Jax State and North Carolina A&T have been profitable working the ball in opposition to the Knights, every going for 160 or extra yards. A wholesome Dylan Edwards and higher offensive line play after every week off may carry the Wildcats to lastly have considerably of a breakout sport working the ball.
Why Kansas State has a bonus: The week off got here at a great time for Ok-State, particularly should you’re one who believes the Wildcats have not had their legs underneath them since a Week 0 journey to Eire. Regrouping after a flight and a loss to Arizona was desperately wanted.
Regardless of the early-season struggles, Ok-State is a longtime program underneath Chris Klieman, whereas UCF is in a rebuilding section following Frost’s return. It could possibly be argued that Ok-State (gulp) is the most effective crew UCF has confronted to this point this season.
All of Ok-State’s video games this season have been inside a rating. It would not be a shock if that is as nicely.
Why UCF has a bonus: The Knights are getting higher, they usually’ll be motivated when making the journey to Manhattan this week, following the loss of life of their offensive line coach Shawn Clark. They mentioned they have been slightly additional motivated of their win over UNC, and seeing some carryover ought to be anticipated after an emotional week.
Jackson at quarterback could possibly be an issue for the Wildcats, who’ve struggled to include quarterbacks, no matter whether or not they’re referred to as dual-threats or not. Throughout 4 video games, Ok-State has allowed 228 yards and 7 touchdowns to opposing QBs on the bottom. Jackson had six mixed yards in UCF’s first two video games earlier than dashing for 66 final week. Backup QB Cam Fancher could possibly be price monitoring after he was introduced in late in opposition to UNC to spice up the Knights’ working sport, working the ball 4 occasions for 39 yards.
UCF 28, Kansas State 21
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Community and Topeka Capital-Journal. You possibly can comply with him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or e-mail him at wwheeler@gannett.com
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