Kansas State Wildcats and Rutgers Scarlet Knights are set to clash in the 2024 Rate Bowl in Phoenix. Kansas State aims to recover from a late-season slump, while Rutgers enters the game on a winning streak. Both teams seek consecutive bowl victories after last year's successes.
The Kansas State Wildcats and Rutgers Scarlet Knights are gearing up for an exciting showdown in the 2024 Rate Bowl, set to take place at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. With Kansas State looking to bounce back from a challenging end to their regular season, and Rutgers riding a wave of recent victories, the match promises to be a thrilling contest. Both teams are eager to secure their second consecutive bowl win, following successful outings in last year's postseason.
Kansas State enters the Rate Bowl with an 8-4 record, having experienced a challenging November with three losses in their final four regular-season games. Despite a strong start to the season, the Wildcats struggled towards the end, including a 29-21 loss to Iowa State. However, they are determined to end the season on a high note with a victory over Rutgers. Kansas State's offense is led by sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson, who has thrown for 2,517 yards and 22 touchdowns this season. The Wildcats boast a strong rushing attack, although they will be without their star running back, DJ Giddens, who declared for the NFL Draft. Backup Dylan Edwards is expected to step up in his absence. Defensively, Kansas State ranks 29th in the nation in rushing defense, allowing 3.7 yards per rush, which could be crucial against Rutgers' running game[1][2].
Rutgers comes into the Rate Bowl with a 7-5 record, enjoying a successful end to their regular season with three wins in their last four games, including a dominant 41-14 victory over Michigan State. This momentum has given the Scarlet Knights confidence as they prepare to face Kansas State. Rutgers' offense is spearheaded by senior running back Kyle Monangai, who has rushed for 1,279 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Monangai's performance in the final two games, where he exceeded 120 rushing yards in each, highlights his importance to the team. Defensively, Rutgers has been strong, holding opponents to under 20 points in three of their last four games, and they will look to capitalize on Kansas State's missing key player, DJ Giddens, to stifle the Wildcats' offense[1][2].
The Rate Bowl game between Kansas State and Rutgers is scheduled for a 4:30 p.m. Central Time kickoff at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, and will be broadcast on ESPN. Kansas State is favored by 7 points, with the over/under set at 52 points. Analysts predict a competitive match, with Kansas State looking to leverage their strong rushing defense and Rutgers aiming to maintain their offensive momentum. The game will feature commentary from Wes Durham, Tom Luginbill, and Dana Boyle. Both teams are eager to secure a victory to build momentum heading into the offseason, making this bowl game a crucial contest for both programs[1][2].
As the Kansas State Wildcats and Rutgers Scarlet Knights prepare to face off in the 2024 Rate Bowl, both teams are focused on ending their seasons with a victory. Kansas State aims to overcome its late-season challenges, while Rutgers seeks to continue its winning momentum. With both teams having secured bowl victories last year, the game promises to be a competitive and exciting matchup. Fans can look forward to a thrilling contest as these two teams battle it out on the field in Phoenix.
"Kansas State was fifth in the nation in yards per carry (5.6) and 19th in rushing yards per game (197.4)." - CBS Sports Analysis
"Rutgers has held its opponents to fewer than 20 points in three of the last four games." - CBS Sports Analysis