Kansas State will try to rebound from a difficult finish to the regular season as it faces Rutgers in the Rate Bowl.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — As Chris Klieman bounced around the midwest, going up and down the coaching ladder from a Division III DC to a national champion head coach at the FCS level before becoming Kansas State’s head coach, the Rutgers football program occasionally came onto his radar.

SportsLine's model revealed its college football picks for Rutgers Scarlet Knights vs. Kansas State Wildcats in the Rate Bowl 2024 on Thursday

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Rutgers football coach Greg Schiano said Tuesday that star running back Kyle Monangai will not play in Thursday’s Rate Bowl against Kansas State. Monangai – along with other players looking to pursue the NFL after this season – had the option to sit out the game to avoid any injury risk that could dent their draft stock.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Sitting cross legged underneath a tent blocking the bright Arizona sun and in front of a banner that reads “RUTGERS TEAM COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT EVENT,” quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis smiles as he points to the page he is reading to a local grade school girl.

Rutgers running back Kyle Monangai will sit out the Rate Bowl to prepare for the 2025 NFL Draft. Monangai, the program's second all-time leading rusher, will assist in coaching during the game. Learn more about his decision and its impact.

A win in the Rate Bowl would give the Wildcats at least nine wins in each of the last three seasons and join Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, Notre Dame, Ohio State and Oregon in that regard. The Wildcats are looking to bounce back from a 1-3 mark in November after beginning the year at 7-1 and ranking as high as No.

Many of Rutgers football's NFL-bound players are playing in the Rate Bowl against Kansas State, a chance to get critical game film for scouts to see.