NCAAF Picks: Bill Snyder is considered one of the greatest coaches in college football history for turning the worst program in the history of the sport into a perennial Big 12 title contender. Meanwhile Gus Malzahn is considered one of the top offensive minds in the game with a new age offense that renders the best defenses in the nation helpless.
In this classic coaching matchup, the Kansas State Wildcats will host the Auburn Tigers at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Thursday night with coverage on ESPN starting at 7:30 PM ET.
Losing While Winning
Kansas State is 2-0 straight up but 0-2 against the spread with both of their games going over the total. The Wildcats are coming off a bye week that followed a dramatic 32-28 win at Iowa State in which K State rallied from a 28-13 deficit in which they got the winning TD with 1:30 remaining to play. The Wildcats outgained the Cyclones 471 yards to 319 but looked sloppy until crunch time. Quarterback Jake Walters has been sharp with a 137.6 QB rating and 5.2 yards per carry as the Cats’ leading rusher.
War Eagle Soars to Profits
Auburn is 2-0 both straight up and against the spread with both of their games going over the total. Auburn is also coming off a bye week that followed a 59-13 home payout against San Jose State. The powerful Auburn offense ranks fifth in the nation for scoring. A potential quarterback controversy could be brewing as Jeremy Johnson (224.3 rating) has outplayed last year’s starter Nick Marshall (119.9). Tailback Cameron Artis-Payne is averaging 6.9 yards per carry as the Tigers’ top ball carrier.
Matchup and Pick
Auburn has covered six out of their last seven games against the spread on the road with four out of their last six away games going over the total. Kansas State has paid out against the line in 11 out of their last 17 home games with six out of their last 10 home games going under the total. Kansas State covered the last meeting in this series in 2007 in a 23-13 loss as 13.5 point dogs. The atmosphere will be electric at K-State and Snyder is one coach Malzahn won’t be able to outwit. We like Kansas State to cover and under the total in this one.
