Preview: Kansas State vs NC State: Pop-Tarts Bowl

ORLANDO FL – On Thursday, December 28th, the Kansas State Wildcats (8-4) will take on the 19th ranked NC State Wolfpack (9-3) at Camping World Stadium for the first ever Pop-Tarts Bowl. Coverage starts at 5:45 pm on ESPN and ESPN +.

Our matchup is set and it's 𝓒𝓡𝓐𝓩𝓨 𝓖𝓞𝓞𝓓!@PackFootball will face @KStateFB at 5:45 p.m. on Dec. 28 in Orlando! #PopTartsBowl

🎟️: https://t.co/3oqZmCgaVX pic.twitter.com/5VI96B6QAr
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 3, 2023

NC State is coming into this bowl game 9-3 and are on a 5 game winning streak. Led by 11th year head coach Dave Doeren, they have a high powered offense averaging almost 27 points per game. Their defense has only allowed an average of 20 points per game. The Wolfpack came just short of playing in the ACC championship game, finishing 3rd in the ACC behind Louisville and Florida State. They had some big wins over the past season, including a 24-17 win over Clemson, and a 39-20 win over rival North Carolina to end the regular season. NC State is looking to finish with 10 wins for only the second time in program history.

Kansas State is coming into this game 8-4, finishing 4th in the Big 12 conference. Led by 5th year head coach Chris Klieman, they are looking for their first ever win in a Florida bowl game. The Wildcats have had some big wins over the course of the 2023 campaign, including a 31-27 win over rival Kansas, and a 44-31 win over UCF. They average 37.8 points scored per game, which was top 30 in the FBS.

In all its glory!

(Yes, those Pop-Tarts are real!) pic.twitter.com/QXK5aIfR1h
— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 26, 2023

Opt Outs Galore

Kansas State is already looking towards next season as they have many players opting out of the upcoming game. Kansas State’s offense will be a storyline to watch. Starting QB Will Howard announced on December 4th that he will be entering the NCAA transfer portal and will not play in the bowl game. They are also going to be without their offensive coordinator Collin Klein as he has moved on to Texas A&M. Backup RB Treshaun Ward and starting WR Phillip Brooks have also entered the transfer portal. With all of these key figures in the Kansas State offense leaving, fans can only hope for a miracle.

NC State will be without its starting defensive tackle Cj Clark, who had 22 total tackles and 1 sack this season.

Both NC State and K-State fans can agree they want an action packed, fun game tomorrow night in the brisk Florida winter. Catch live coverage on our twitter page as well as a postgame article after the game.