Thursday, September 18, 2014

Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium in Manhattan

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

A slate of great college football games gets started early in week four, with #5 ranked Auburn traveling to Manhattan to do battle against #20 Kansas State. The atmosphere is sure to be electric as the K-State student body aims to will their school to an early season signature victory. Both teams are well rested after a Saturday off last weekend and the game should be exciting with both schools having 12 days to game plan.

It's been an easy run of it so far for Auburn (2-0) who has won both of its early season games by over 24 points. Arkansas provided little resistance in the season opener, with the Tigers cruising to a 45-21 victory at home. Week two was even more leisurely after Cameron Artis-Payne ran for 112 yards and 3TD to fuel a 59-13 trampling of the visiting San Jose State. Auburn's early season success has come largely due to the ground game. The Tigers are rolling up a whopping 330 yards on the ground per game (7th in the NCAA) and have averaged 52 PPG early in the year.

Kansas State was efficient in their first game of the 2014 season, winning a 55-16 game against Stephen F. Austin even though coach Bill Snyder felt the game left much to be desired. The Wildcats rebounded nicely, capturing an always tough road victory over Iowa State in Ames, 32-28. Kansas State was actually favored on the road against the Cyclones but found themselves down 28-13 after allowing 28 straight points to ISU. KSU QB Jake Waters though willed his team to victory through the ground and in the air, finishing with 239 yards passing to go with 138 and 2 TD rushing.

In order for the Wildcats to pull off the home win Thursday night, they need to stop the run, something they've done effectively so far allowing just 87 yards per game. The Auburn defense has found themselves susceptible at times giving up 323.5 YPG against inferior opponents in the first two games which gives credence to Waters possibly putting up another huge game. Either way, anything can happen on a Thursday night in the FBS.

Auburn Tigers Betting Trends

Auburn Tigers are 2-0-0 Against the Spread

Auburn Tigers are 2-0-0 against the Over/Under

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Trends

Kansas State Wildcats are 0-2-0 Against the Spread

Kansas State Wildcats are 2-0-0 against the Over/Under

Injuries to Watch

Auburn Tigers

09/14/14 WR Sammie Coates Knee missed last game, probable Thursday vs. Kansas State
08/29/14 FB Gage Batten Knee out indefinitely
08/29/14 FB Patrick Young Knee out for season
08/02/14 OL Alex Kozan Back out for season
08/02/14 DL Carl Lawson Knee out indefinitely

Kansas State Wildcats

09/14/14 OL Cody Whitehair Ankle probable Thursday vs. Auburn

Tony's Pick: Take Auburn

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