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LSU (6-6) and Kansas State (7-5) face off Tuesday night in the 2022 Texas Bowl, the penultimate college football game of the season. The Wildcats are expected to welcome quarterback Skylar Thompson (ankle) back after he missed the regular-season finale against Texas. LSU, meanwhile, faces personnel challenges all over the field. Linebacker Damone Clark, running back Tyrion Davis-Price and defensive lineman Neil Farrell Jr. have all opted out, and the quarterback room has been depleted to the point that there isn't expected to be a scholarship QB available. 

Kickoff is at 9 p.m. ET from NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas. Caesars Sportsbook lists the Wildcats as seven-point favorites. That's up a full touchdown from the opening Texas Bowl line. The over-under for total points is set at 47.5. Before finalizing any Kansas State vs. LSU picks, be sure to check out the college football predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven computer model.

The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every FBS college football game 10,000 times. Over the past five-plus years, the proprietary computer model has generated a stunning profit of almost $3,600 for $100 players on its top-rated college football picks against the spread. It also enters the final week of the 2021-22 college football bowl season on a 43-31 run on all top-rated college football side picks. Anyone who has followed it has seen huge returns.

Now, the model has set its sights on LSU vs. Kansas State and revealed its coveted picks and predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see all of the model's college football picks. Here are several college football odds and betting trends for Kansas State vs. LSU:

  • LSU vs. Kansas State spread: Kansas State -7
  • LSU vs. Kansas State over-under: 47.5 points 
  • LSU vs. Kansas State money line: Kansas State -300, LSU +240
  • LSU: The Tigers are 6-0 ATS in their last six vs. Big 12 opponents
  • KSU: The Wildcats are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 neutral site games as a favorite

Why Kansas State can cover

Kansas State had a top-five defense in the Big 12 thanks in large part to a couple players on the defensive line. Sophomore defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah has been an absolute beast coming off the edge for Kansas State. Anudike-Uzomah was one of the top defensive players in the Big 12 and finished the year ranked second in sacks (11) and third in tackles for loss (14.5). The Missouri native has also forced a conference-high six fumbles.

Anudike-Uzomah has shown the talent to take over games. He had two games on the year with at least three sacks. In the win against TCU, he finished with a season-high eight total tackles, four sacks with two forced fumbles. Redshirt freshman defensive end Nate Matlack played his best ball towards the end of the season. Over the final three games, Matlack recorded four tackles for loss, two sacks, and two forced fumbles. These two can impact the game tremendously for the Wildcats. 

Why LSU can cover

The roster is missing a lot of key pieces, but there will still be talent on the field. Junior safety Jay Ward has played well in the back for LSU's defense. He is third on the team in total tackles (60) and first in interceptions (2). The Georgia native has logged at least six total stops in seven games. Ward's best game came in a loss to Auburn, a game in which he with 11 total tackles. He should help keep a depleted secondary competitive. 

Though there are questions about who will throw to them, the Tigers also have a lot of talent at receiver with Jaray Jenkins and Malik Nabers expected to play. Versatile TE/WR Jack Bech, who finished the regular season as the team's second-leading receiver with 489 yards, is also expected to play.

How to make Kansas State vs. LSU picks

SportsLine's model is leaning under on the point total, projecting the teams to combine for 45 points. The model also says one side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations. You can only see the model's Kansas State vs. LSU picks at SportsLine.

So who wins LSU vs. Kansas State? And which side of the spread hits in well over 50 percent of simulations? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the spread you need to jump on, all from the model that has crushed its college football picks, and find out.