Kansas State Wildcats (3-0) vs. Cincinnati Bearcats (3-0)
September 26, 2026 7:00 pm EDT
The Line: Cincinnati Bearcats 6.5 / Kansas State Wildcats -6.5; Over/Under: 55.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Kansas State Wildcats and Cincinnati Bearcats meet Saturday in week 4 college football action at Nippert Stadium. Here’s a Cincinnati vs. Kansas State Prediction. This article will include a Cincinnati vs. Kansas State Pick.
Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview
The Kansas State Wildcats beat Washington State and Tulane, and they play Houston next. Kansas State hasn’t started 4-0 since the 2012 season. Avery Johnson is completing 69.9 percent of his passes for 618 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 2 interceptions. Jaron Tibbs and Josh Manning have combined for 293 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Joe Jackson has 6 receptions.
The Kansas State Wildcats’ ground game is averaging 269.3 yards per contest, and Avery Johnson leads the way with 253 yards and 3 touchdowns. Defensively, Kansas State is allowing 10 points and 182.7 yards per game. Gabe Powers leads the Kansas State Wildcats with 14 tackles; Darien Whitaker Jr. has 2.5 sacks, and Kaleb Patterson has 3 pass deflections.
Cincinnati Bearcats Betting Preview
The Cincinnati Bearcats beat Western Carolina and Miami OH, and they play Arizona next. The Cincinnati Bearcats haven’t started 4-0 since the 2021 season. JC French IV is completing 76.5 percent of his passes for 631 yards, 6 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. JV Gibson and Malachi Henry have combined for 296 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, while Gavin Grover has 7 receptions.
The Cincinnati Bearcats’ ground game is averaging 269.7 yards per contest, and Gi’Bran Payne leads the way with 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, Cincinnati is allowing 18.7 points and 346.3 yards per game. Antwan Peek Jr. leads the Cincinnati Bearcats with 23 tackles, Josh Hough has 2.5 sacks, and Marqavious Saboor has 1 interception.
Why the Cincinnati Bearcats will win
- Cincinnati has won each of its last six games in September.
- Kansas State has lost four of its last five September games as a road favorite.
- Kansas State has failed to cover the spread in each of its last six September road games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Cincinnati has covered the spread in four of its last five games in September.
- Cincinnati has won the first half in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams at Nippert Stadium.
- Cincinnati has won the first quarter in each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams at Nippert Stadium.
Why the Kansas State Wildcats will win
- Kansas State has won each of its last seven games against non-AP-ranked teams.
- Cincinnati has lost each of its last four games against conference opponents.
- Cincinnati has failed to cover the spread in each of its last four games as an underdog.
- The favorite has covered the spread in five of Cincinnati’s last six games.
- The favorite has won the first quarter in 11 of Cincinnati’s last 12 games.
- Cincinnati has lost the first half in each of its last eight games as an underdog in Ohio.
Total Points Facts
- Each of Cincinnati’s last four home games against conference opponents have gone UNDER the total points line.
- Six of Kansas State’s last seven road openers have gone OVER the total points line.
Cincinnati Bearcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 4, Larenzo Fenner ranks T1st amongst qualified players for catch rate (100.0%) this season.
Kansas State Wildcats Player Prop Facts
- Heading into Week 4, Avery Johnson ranks 2nd amongst qualified players for Yards Per Carry (10.5) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
- Cincinnati ranks T1st among FBS teams for Q3 points per game this season (16.3).
- Cincinnati ranks 2nd among FBS teams for H2 points per game this season (28.7).
- Kansas State has recorded the most home wins by a margin of 10+ points of any FBS team this season (3).
- Kansas State ranks 1st among FBS teams for passing yards allowed per game this season (86.7).
Cincinnati vs Kansas State Prediction
Kansas State is the better team with an elite-level defense, and I’m not surprised its favovred on the road. However, Cincinnati has played well in its own right up to this point, and that includes a beatdown over Boston College for what it’s worth. Cincinnati runs the ball the best of them and has a bend-but-don’t-break defense. This feels like an underrated competitive game that Cincinnati can give itself a chance to win in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati can move the ball and has a tricky dual-threat quarterback. Give me the points.
