The Troy Trojans and the Kansas State Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Troy is coming off an opener matchup versus Stephen F. Austin. In that one the Trojans powered out an 18-point win. As for Kansas State, they played Southeast Missouri State in their first game of the year. The Wildcats ended up with a blowout victory there. Check back all season long for free college football picks at Sports Chat Place.

Troy Trojans 

The Trojans took on a plucky Stephen F. Austin team in their first outing of the year. Troy jumped out to a great start with 21 first-quarter points, then scored in every quarter during a 48-30 win. QB Gunnar Watson finished with 198 yards, four scores and a pick, but Kimani Vidal had the best day on offense with 248 rush yards on 25 carries. 

Troy had a pretty good day on both sides of the ball during their opener. The defense held SFA to 240 total yards (136 passing), 4.1 yards per play and 16 first downs. The Trojans managed 540 total yards with 25 first downs on offense, but also had four turnovers (three fumbles). 

Troy Trojans Team Facts

Troy has won each of its last 12 games.
Troy has covered the spread in each of its last six road games.
Troy has lost the first half in each of its last five road games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Troy’s last seven road openers have gone UNDER the total points line.

Kansas State Wildcats 

Over on the Wildcats’ side, they didn’t have much trouble versus Southeast Missouri State in their first game of the year. Kansas State also scored in every quarter (including 28 points in the second) on the way to a 45-0 blowout win. QB Will Howard finished with 297 yards and two scores, while DJ Giddense rushed for 128 yards on 15 totes. 

Kansas State held Southeast Missouri State in check on defense, giving up just six rushing yards and 227 yards total. The Wildcats allowed only 13 first downs and 4-of-14 on third-down tries, but didn’t get any turnovers. On the other side the offense generated 588 total yards (228 rushing) and 8.3 yards per play. 

Kansas State Wildcats Team Facts

The team ranked 15th in the AP Poll has won each of its last seven games.
The favorite has covered the spread in seven of Kansas State’s last eight games at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Kansas State has won the first half in nine of its last 10 games against non-conference opponents at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Kansas State has won the first quarter in five of its last six games against non-conference opponents.
Each of Kansas State’s last six September games as a favorite against non-AP-ranked teams have gone UNDER the total points line.

Matchup/League Facts

Kansas State ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q1 points per game last season (11.2).
Kansas State ranked 2nd among FBS teams for H1 win percentage last season (.857).
Troy was one of only two FBS teams to win 4+ games when trailing at HT last season.
Troy ranked 2nd among FBS teams for Q1 points allowed per game last season (2.1).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stay with Kansas State here. Troy should serve as a tougher customer than the Wildcats’ first-game matchup with Southeast Missouri State, though. There’s not a whole lot to clean up from that effort, unless you count the four third-down conversions (out of only 10 tries) and the one turnover. Troy is the team that needs to sharpen up their ball control (four turnovers) and they obviously won’t have such an easy time advancing against Kansas State this week. Still, I think the Trojans will have a relatively good showing in this one along the way to a Kansas State win/cover.