Week 3 is here, and we’ve got a Friday night clash in Tucson featuring two teams that have kicked off 2025 on totally different notes. Kansas State came into the season aiming for the Big 12 title, but they’ve hit some bumps, starting off 1–2 with a loss to Army that really showed their struggles on both offense and defense. 

On the flip side, Arizona has quietly cruised to a 2–0 record. Sure, they haven’t faced the toughest opponents (Hawai’i and Weber State), but Zona seems sharper, quicker, and more well-rounded compared to last year. This sets us up perfectly for some Kansas St. vs. Arizona picks! 

Kansas St. vs. Arizona Predictions for College Football Week 3, Friday, 9/12 

Since both teams share the “Wildcats” name, the big question is which one can actually earn the trust of bettors. The oddsmakers are treating this like a toss-up, but based on how they’ve performed early in the season, Arizona at home looks like the better bet when making Kansas St. vs. Arizona predictions. 

It seems oddsmakers are showing Klieman’s squad some love based on preseason expectations, their conference history, and the strength of their schedule. Arizona hasn’t faced a real challenge yet, while Kansas State has already dealt with tough opponents under tricky conditions. 

However, early outcomes can be telling: Kansas State hasn’t seemed quite right, whereas Arizona appears to be in a solid groove. That’s certainly something to remember as we browse our Kansas St. vs. Arizona predictions. 

 

 

 

Kansas St. vs. Arizona Best Bet: Zona ML (-105 at DraftKings) 

It's tough to emphasize just how disappointing Kansas State has been over the past three weeks. Chris Klieman's squad hasn't managed to cover a spread all season (0–3 ATS), and they don't resemble the tough, efficient team that received so much preseason buzz. Their Week 0 journey to Ireland ended in a lackluster performance, and after a hard-fought win against an FCS team, they lost 24–21 at home to Army in Week 2. 

Quarterback Avery Johnson hasn't turned out to be the breakout player many hoped for. Although his dual-threat skills add some excitement to Kansas State's offense, his passing has been hit or miss. 

Against the Army, he only racked up 172 yards with one touchdown and one interception, while the Wildcats struggled to reach 5.0 yards per play. To put it simply, this offense seems to be stuck in a rut.

On the flip side, Arizona has been on fire. Sophomore quarterback Noah Fifita appears to have taken a big leap, completing over 75% of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions in just two games. Against Weber State, he threw for 373 yards and five touchdowns, averaging an impressive 11.9 yards per attempt. 

Fifita distributes the ball effectively, and his connection with wide receiver Jayin Whatley (who had 168 yards and two TDs last week) makes this offense a real challenge for a Kansas State secondary that currently ranks 88th in the nation for EPA per pass allowed. 

Defensively, Arizona has been solid as well. They are one of only two FBS teams that haven't allowed a touchdown this season, and while that can be attributed to the level of competition, it still reflects their discipline and execution. 

In contrast, Kansas State let Army run the ball on 70 out of 82 plays, consistently surrendering long, time-consuming drives. That doesn't exactly build confidence as they prepare to face a much more well-rounded Arizona offense. 

Another important aspect is the location. Tucson can be a tough venue for night games, and with Arizona fans eager for a big win after years of rebuilding, the atmosphere is likely to be electric. Kansas State is coming off a tough loss and has a short week to prepare. On the other hand, Arizona is well-rested, brimming with confidence, and ready for its first significant test of 2025. 

Arizona’s fast-paced style under offensive coordinator Seth Doege also creates challenges. Kansas State’s defense has had issues with tempo, and Arizona is averaging over 6.0 yards per play, ranking in the top 25 for EPA per play. 

Fifita’s quick decision-making should keep the Wildcats (the Tucson ones) ahead of the game on early downs, opening up chances for big plays against a defense that has struggled to make consistent stops. 

This matchup is expected to be high-scoring — the total is set at 54.5 — but the advantage lies in Arizona’s ability to finish drives. Fifita has been perfect in the red zone, while Kansas State has often stalled, settling for field goals or turning the ball over. If it comes down to quarterback performance, our Kansas St. vs. Arizona predictions will take Fifita at home over Johnson, who’s still trying to find his rhythm. 

 

 

 

How To Watch Kansas St. vs. Arizona College Football Week 3 

  • Date: Friday, Sept. 12, 2025 
  • Time: 9:00 p.m. ET 
  • Location: Arizona Stadium, Tucson, AZ
  • TV: FOX 

Kansas St. vs. Arizona Odds, Spreads, Total & Betting Lines 

Based on our official Kansas St. vs. Arizona predictions mentioned earlier, here are the latest Kansas St. vs. Arizona odds for the game from DraftKings Sportsbook

  • Money Line (ML): KSU -115 | ZONA -105 
  • Spread: KSU -1.5 (-108) | ZONA +1.5 (-112) 
  • Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -110 | U: -110) 

 

 

 

Kansas St. vs. Arizona Injury Report & Latest News 

Kansas State Injury Report 

  • J. Bradley (WR) – Out, Undisclosed 
  • L. Cure (TE) – Questionable, Undisclosed 
  • D. Edwards (RB) – Questionable, Ankle 

Arizona Injury Report 

  • T. Smith (DL) – Questionable, Undisclosed 
  • K. Reescano (RB) – Questionable, Undisclosed 
  • T. Powell (TE) – Out, Leg 
  • T. Stukes (CB) – Questionable, Undisclosed 

 

 

 

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