Kansas State vs. Vanderbilt NCAA Football Preview
Where: Vanderbilt Stadium – Nashville, TN
When: Saturday, September 16, 2017, 7:30 PM ET
Line: Kansas State Wildcats (-4) vs. Vanderbilt Commodores (+4) – view all 2017 NCAA Football lines
TV Broadcast: ESPNU
College Football News and Previews
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Betting on the Kansas State Wildcats
Kansas State has been ruthless in destroying its inferior non-conference opposition to start the year. After getting a 55-19 win over Central Arkansas in their opener, they had an even more dominant 55-7 win over Charlotte last week. Bill Snyder’s boys will finally get a Power 5 test in the form of Vanderbilt, though.
The Wildcats have been more reliant on the run in recent years, but the emergence of quarterback Jesse Ertz could see them throw the ball a bit more. Ertz had a 333-yard, four-touchdown outing against Central Arkansas, which was a big reason why he has a 70 percent completion percentage and is averaging 13.81 yards per attempt through two games.
Meanwhile, their ground game has also looked quite capable in their first two outings, so there should be some good balance to this offense.
K-State’s own defensive front, which lost star Jordan Willis during the offseason, hasn’t been incredibly convincing this season as they gave up more yardage than anticipated against inferior opposition. Thankfully, Vandy doesn’t really run the ball a ton, so that particular concern likely won’t be tested as heavily.
Betting on the Vanderbilt Commodores
Vanderbilt has similarly been busy beating up on their weaker non-conference foes. They knocked off Middle Tennessee 28-6 in their season opener, and demolished Alabama A&M 42-0 last week.
Junior quarterback Kyle Shurmur had a strong end to the season last year, and he has carried that over to this campaign. Through two games, Shurmur has a 76 percent completion percentage, is averaging 10.83 yards per attempt, and has a 7:0 touchdown-to-interception ratio.
K-State’s secondary boasts some good experience, but Shurmur should still be able to put some yards up against them.
Meanwhile, Vanderbilt’s defense figures to be strong, particularly against the pass. They don’t give up too many big plays through the air and are also impressive in terms of limiting opponents on third downs and in the red zone.
There’s a sense that the program is finally close to breaking through under head coach Derek Mason. A big win over a top-25 team like K-State would all but signal that breakthrough, and the raucous home crowd should do all it can to will their team to victory.
Writer’s Prediction
Vanderbilt (+4) scores the upset as home underdogs as they knock out Kansas State.
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