Kansas State vs. Arkansas 2015 Liberty Bowl Betting Preview

Posted by Eric Williams on Thursday,December 31, 2015 12:41, EDT in

If you don’t know by now, the 2015 AutoZone Liberty Bowl is offering as much value as any bowl game on the entire 2015 bowl game docket. You see, when the Arkansas Razorbacks and Kansas State Wildcats square off on Saturday, January 2 at 3:20 PM ET, live from Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee, one team looks like a virtual lock to cash in against the college football betting line.

How To Bet the Wildcats vs Razorbacks NCAA Football Lines,TV & Game Info

When: Saturday, January 2, 3:20 PM ET
Where: Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium, Memphis, Tennessee
TV: ESPN
Stream Option: WatchESPN
LINE: Arkansas -13
O/U: 55.5

Arkansas is a 13-point favorite to beat Kansas State after opening as a 12-point favorite. The game’s Over/Under total is sitting at 55.5 after opening at 59. The Razorbacks are a -460 favorite against the Moneyline while the Wildcats are a +400 Moneyline selection.

Why Bet The Kansas State Wildcats Odds at +13

Because they’re a quality team with a great head coach! Kansas State (6-6 SU, 6-6- ATS) won three straight to close out its regular season including its narrow 24-23 win over West Virginia in its finale. The bad news for the Cats though is that they’re unsure who will start at quarterback in this contest with Joe Hubener and Kody Cook both in the running.

Hubener has thrown for 1,837 yards and nine touchdowns but also tossed nine interceptions. Cook plays wide receiver when he’s not at quarterback and had 284 passing yards with three touchdowns and three interceptions.”We practice both of them there every single day,” head coach Bill Snyder told reporters. “They take an equal amount of reps, which has been reasonably consistent throughout the latter stages of the season. Nothing changes there.”

The Wildcats average 30.5 points per game (58th) but allow a whopping 30.3 points per game defensively (88th).

Why Bet The Arkansas Razorbacks Odds at -13

Because they’ve got the best two players on the field! Arkansas (7-5 SU, 7-5 ATS) won five of their final six games after getting off to an uninspiring 2-4 start that included a trio of losses against Toledo, Texas Tech and Texas A&M.Still, Arkansas picked up impressive wins against Auburn, Mississippi and LSU late to become bowl eligible and salvage their season.

Now, the Razorbacks will turn to quarterback Brandon Allen and underrated running back Alex Collins, to lead them to victory in this contest. Allen had a fine season in completing 65.1 percent of his passes for 3,125 yards with 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. Collins had six 100-yard games in SEC action this year to tie a school record while rushing for 1,392 yards and an impressive 17 touchdowns that tied for second-most in Arkansas single-season history.

Arkansas averages 35.2 points per game (27th) while allowing 27.8 points per game defensively (74th).

My Expert Pick & Final Score Prediction

I’m absolutely stunned that 55 percent of the betting public likes Arkansas to cover the spread as virtual two-touchdown favorites, but I don’t! First and foremost, there is only a 5.8-point scoring differential between these two teams, making the 13-point spread a bit insane to me. Secondly, K-State head coach Bill Snyder is an absolute genius that I expect will have his team more than ready for battle with almost a month off.

The underdog has covered in six of the last eight Liberty Bowls while Kansas State has gone 11-0 SU in its last 11 games after winning as an underdog and 11-1 ATS in its last 12 games after losing the previous game in a match up. Arkansas is 7-2 ATS in its last nine games against the Big 12, but I think K-State is seriously underrated and will get the easy ATS cover!

My final score prediction: Arkansas 38 K-Sate 35