Prediction time: Kansas State

Army’s Jeff Monken and Kansas State’s Chris Klieman go way back to the 2012 FCS playoffs.

Monken guided Georgia Southern to its third straight FCS semifinal. Klieman was the defensive coordinator for North Dakota State, whom defeated Georgia Southern 23-20 and went on to win its second straight national championship.

Klieman earned the reputation as one of the game’s better defensive minds and his unit’s efforts against option-based FCS teams.

Monken and Klieman meet again Saturday night in Manhattan, Kansas. Army is 17.5-point underdog. Kansas State is the only FBS team on Army’s regular season schedule.

The Black Knights look to rebound for 30-27 double-overtime loss to FCS Tarleton State. Kansas State needed a last-minute TD pass from Avery Johnson to beat FCS North Dakota 38-35 for its first win of the season.

Sal Interdonato (Black Knight Nation): Kansas State 28, Army 20. Think this game could be decided in the fourth quarter if Army plays turnover free. The Black Knights’ offensive line would need to be difference.

Seth Mendelson (Black Knight Nation): Kansas State 35, Army 24. The Black Knights learned much from last week’s defeat, but the Wildcats are simply too strong and playing at home for Army to manage a victory. But Army keeps it respectable.

Cuthbert Hutton (Sidelines Sports Network Army): Army 24, Kansas State 21. OL cleans up its act but finds itself in a struggle of will and is overmatched. Reed and Rendina both get a TD on the ground and there is a pass TD to Short for + 40 yards. Razor thin game, Army walks off with FG win.

Predictions from across the college football universe

Bob Trollsby (Cocaine Willie): Kansas State 28, Army 17
Andre Napier (Cocaine Willie): Kansas State 38, Army 10
Matt Marchesini (Cocaine Willie): Kansas State 34, Army 20

Pete Fiutak (College Football News): Kansas State 37, Army 17

Kellis Robinett (Wichita Eagle): Kansas State 31, Army 17