The 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl taking place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando. We have the matchup of the 9-3 NC State Wolfpack and the 8-4 Kansas State Wildcats. NC State comes into this one on a five game winning streak. The Wolfpack have appeared in 34 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 17-16-1 record in those games. The Wildcats come into this one winning five out of their last seven games. Kansas State has appeared in 24 bowl games in their program’s history. They have a 10-14 record in those games. Kansas State is a 2.5 point favorite with the over/under set at 47.5. Here is my preview for the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl.
NC State Wolfpack
The Wolfpack got hot at the end of the season, as they rattled off five straight wins. Offensively, the Wolfpack averaged 26.7 points per game to go along with 359.1 total yards of offense. Brennan Armstrong will start at quarterback for this bowl matchup. He has thrown for 1,619 passing yards on 11 touchdowns and 6 interceptions. Armstrong also added 544 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry and added 6 rushing touchdowns. The big playmaker on this Wolfpack offense is definitely wideout Kevin Concepcion. Concepcion has 64 receptions to go along with 767 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns. He is the big playmaker that Armstrong will look for as they have connected 14 times for 194 receiving yards and four touchdowns in their last two games. Look for the Wolfpack offense to rely on the play of Concepcion.
Defensively, the Wolfpack were good in 2023. They allowed 20.2 points per game to go along with giving up 344.9 total yards of offense per game. One strong suit of this defense is stopping opponents on third down as they only allow 27.7% of third down attempts to succeed. NC State will be without their leader in linebacker Payton Wilson, who opts out to get ready for the NFL Draft. The Wolfpack defense was solid this year at keeping opponents under 30 points. They only allowed 2 opponents to score more than 30 points on them and are 1-1 in those two games. If NC State wants to win, they want to continue their success on defense.
Kansas State Wildcats
The Wildcats put together a good 2023 season. Offensively, the Wildcats averaged 37.7 points per game (t-10th in the nation) and averaged 455.8 total yards of offense. The Wildcats had a great one-two punch at running back with DJ Giddens and Treshaun Ward. Ward entered the transfer portal and Giddens is the only one out of the duo back. Giddens rushed for 1,075 rushing yards to go along with 5.5 yards per carry and 9 touchdowns. The Wildcats will start Avery Johnson at starting quarterback, as Will Howard entered the transfer portal. Johnson looked good in his action this season and has the potential to be big time for the Wildcats in this one. If they can get Giddens going early, Johnson will create a lot more confidence for this matchup.
Defensively, the Wildcats were good in 2023. They allowed 21.2 points per game and gave up 385.2 total yards of offense. Just like NC State, Kansas State is good at stopping opponents on third down as they allow only 28.7% of third down attempts to succeed. The Wildcats aren’t losing a ton of their starters defensively in the portal here. Kansas State allowed 30+ points in four games in 2023 and they had a 1-3 record in those four games. If the Wildcats want to win, they need to win the turnover battle and keep the NC State offense off the field for as long as possible.
Betting Trends
-NC State is 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games.
-The under is 7-3 in NC State’s last 10 games.
-Kansas State is 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games.
-Kansas State is 13-3 straight up in their last 16 games as a favorite.
The Don’s Best Bet
There is only one play here in the 2023 Pop-Tarts Bowl. My official play is NC State +2.5 -110 odds for one unit. The Wolfpack are the hotter team coming into this one and they have their starting quarterback. Yes, NC State’s defense takes a hit without Wilson, there is no doubt there. However, this offense should play well against Kansas State and they can for sure stay within this number. Ride with the Wolfpack in this Pop-Tarts Bowl showdown.
