Tulane vs Kansas State Picks and Prediction for Saturday, September 19, 2026

The Tulane Green Wave visit the Kansas State Wildcats on Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, with the opening kickoff at 12:00 PM ET and televised on ESPN2. Tulane is 1-1 overall and 0-0 in the American Conference after beating South Alabama 28-24. Kansas State is 2-0 overall and 0-0 in the Big 12 after a 34-7 win over Washington State. The Wildcats also opened the season with a 71-3 victory over Nicholls, while Tulane began with a 17-3 loss at Duke. Get ready for Saturday’s matchup with our free NCAAF picks.

Tulane Green Wave Coming Off a Close Home Win

Tulane found more offense against South Alabama after scoring only three points in its opener. Kadin Semonza has completed 25 of 43 passes for 352 yards and one touchdown without an interception, averaging 8.2 yards per attempt. The Green Wave have 416 passing yards as a team. Jaylin Lucas has been the biggest threat on the ground, rushing for 217 yards and one touchdown on only 14 carries. His 15.5 yards per attempt includes an 80-yard run.

Destyn Hill leads the receiving corps with nine catches for 158 yards and one touchdown, averaging 17.6 yards per reception. TJ Smith has added 52 yards on four catches, while Cash Semonza has 47 yards on two receptions. Tulane has recorded only one sack and no interceptions. Dickson Agu leads the defense with 23 tackles, followed by Kevin Adams III with 21 and Jack Tchienchou with 18. Kameron Hamilton and Reshad Sterling have each recorded half a sack.

Injuries: J. McClure is questionable with a foot injury.

Kansas State Wildcats Rolling After Another Comfortable Win

Kansas State has opened with convincing wins over Nicholls and Washington State, scoring 105 points while allowing 10. Avery Johnson has completed 37 of 55 passes for 391 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. The Wildcats have been especially productive on the ground, rushing for 607 yards and seven touchdowns while averaging 7.2 yards per attempt. Rodney Fields Jr. leads Kansas State with 206 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson has rushed for 101 yards and another score.

Kansas State also has several productive receiving options around Johnson. Josh Manning leads the Wildcats with 13 receptions for 130 yards and two touchdowns. Joe Jackson has six catches for 96 yards and two scores, while Brandon White and Jaron Tibbs have each caught a touchdown. The defense has recorded five sacks without an interception. Wendell Gregory leads the Wildcats with two sacks, while Gabe Powers has a team-high 10 tackles. Darien Whitaker Jr., Elijah Hill and Travis Bates have each added a sack.

Injuries: I. Koch, A. Morrell, M. Lovett, Blake Barnett and D. Duff are questionable. J. Pastore is out with a leg injury.

Tulane vs Kansas State Key to the Game

Tulane needs to contain Kansas State’s rushing attack and make Johnson rely more heavily on the passing game. The Wildcats have averaged 7.2 yards per rushing attempt, with Fields at 7.6, Johnson at 8.4 and Joe Jackson at 6.2. Tulane has only one sack and no interceptions, making consistent stops especially important against an offense that has scored 105 points. Lucas can create explosive runs for the Green Wave, but Tulane cannot afford to let Kansas State consistently control favorable down-and-distance situations.

Tulane vs Kansas State Game Pick

• Kansas State -20.5 (-105)

Kansas State -20.5 is the pick after the Wildcats won their opening two games by a combined 95 points. Johnson has thrown six touchdown passes, while Kansas State has rushed for 607 yards and seven scores at 7.2 yards per attempt. Tulane has scored 31 total points and has only one defensive sack. Lucas presents a major threat with his speed, but Kansas State has more proven production throughout its offense. The Wildcats have enough rushing depth and receiving options to create a big lead at home.

Tulane vs Kansas State Over/Under Pick

• Over 49.5 (-110)

Over 49.5 is the pick with Kansas State already showing the ability to produce large scoring totals. The Wildcats scored 71 against Nicholls and 34 against Washington State, with Johnson throwing six touchdowns and the rushing attack adding seven more. Tulane improved to 28 points against South Alabama, and Lucas has averaged 15.5 yards per carry with an 80-yard run. Kansas State can do most of the scoring work, while Tulane has enough explosive ability from Lucas and Hill to help push the game over 49.5.