Rutgers football will play Kansas State on Thursday in the Rate Bowl in Phoenix, Arizona. Here's a full preview, scouting report and prediction.

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rutgers is off and running in the Valley of the Sun. The Scarlet Knights held their first practice on local land at Indian School Park on Monday ahead of their Rate Bowl matchup against Kansas State in Phoenix on Thursday.

Big Ten college football postseason matchup. It's between Kansas State and Rutgers at Chase Field 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.

An offense that was humming along under first-year coordinator Conor Riley ran out of gas. That is a big reason why K-State fell out of playoff contention and is now preparing to play Rutgers in the Rate Bowl at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at Chase Field in Phoenix.

The Rate Bowl in Phoenix will, therefore, feature one of the Big 12’s most talented teams against one of the Big Ten’s most middling. If those adjectives don’t make it clear, my Rutgers vs. Kansas State predictions will side with the touchdown favorite before kickoff at 5:30 ET on Thursday, December 26.

When it comes to its senior class, Rutgers will be close to full strength for the Rate Bowl — with one notable exception. Star running back Kyle Monangai will not participate in Thursday’s meeting with Kansas State at Chase Field in Phoenix,

The Rutgers University Foundation will be hosting Rate Bowl watch parties in various cities across the country. Here's the full list.