Kansas State vs. UT Martin – Prediction, Preview

GAME INFORMATION

Saturday, August 31; 6:00 p.m. (CT); Bill Snyder Family Stadium; Manhattan, Kansas

TV: ESPN+

Line: Kansas State -36 and 56.5 O/U

Records: (2023) Kansas State 9-4, UT Martin 8-3

Last week: N/A

Series history: Teams meet for the first time

Last meeting: N/A

Fun fact: Saturday's encounter marks only the second career start for Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson.

KEY PLAYERS

UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS

QB KINKEAD DENT

While UT Martin lost one of its best offensive weapons in running back Sam Franklin to Oklahoma through the transfer portal, the team returned its starting quarterback from the previous season. Senior quarterback Kinkead Dent returns for the Skyhawks after recording 2,304 passing yards and a 25-8 touchdown-interception ratio in 2023.

CB JAMICHAEL MCGOY JR.

Defensively, the Skyhawks' defense is relatively fresh after several D-line players decided to transfer. In the secondary, however, UT Martin retained its best cover man from last year, with Tennessee native JaMichael McGoy Jr. starting Saturday. McGoy led the team with 11 pass breakups in 2023 and also added two interceptions and 27 tackles.

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

QB AVERY JOHNSON

There are incredibly high expectations for Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson as he is the Big 12's top candidate to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. With his unique dual-threat skillset, Johnson has received high praise from national media despite only making one career start. Johnson's Week 1 performance will undoubtedly be one of the biggest debuts of the 2024 season.

LB DESMOND PURNELL

Junior linebacker Desmond Purnell hit his stride last season alongside senior linebacker Austin Moore. Purnell began his college career as a safety, but shortly after arriving on campus, the Kansas native switched his position to linebacker. In 2023, Purnell recorded 51 total tackles, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and half a sack.

MAIN STORYLINES

UT MARTIN SKYHAWKS

UT Martin was an impressive team in 2023, finishing with an 8-3 record. Their losses came against No. 1 Georgia, Gardner-Webb and Samford. While the Skyhawks have an uphill battle ahead if they want to beat K-State, Chris Klieman hasn't historically been great in the non-conference schedule. The Wildcats have lost at least one game in the non-conference schedule in three of four seasons since Klieman was hired in 2019. Could it be UT Martin?

KANSAS STATE WILDCATS

What does Kansas State's rushing attack look like? The Wildcats enter the 2024 season with three incredibly dynamic athletes in the backfield, including Avery Johnson and a pair of standout backs, DJ Giddens and Dylan Edwards. The trio has a chance to be special this fall, and fans should see that early against UT Martin.

PREDICTION: KANSAS STATE 45, UT MARTIN 13

The Wildcats will be explosive offensively in Week 1 against UT Martin, which will result in a lopsided score early Saturday. Led by Avery Johnson, K-State will score multiple goals in the first half before accelerating late in the second half. With a dominant win in Week 1, the Avery Johnson hype train will start to gain momentum.