Kansas St at Vanderbilt – College Football Predictions
The Game
This is a very underrated week 3 match-up as Kansas St visits Vanderbilt on Saturday night. Big 12 vs SEC, baby. The Wildcats have scored 50+ in both of their first two games but those contests were against FCS foe Central Arkansas and FBS bottom-feeder Charlotte. While all that excitement was going on the Commodores disposed of a good MTSU squad (28-6) and blanked FCS opponent Alabama A&M 42-cack. So we have a pair of 2-0 teams going head to head in a STEEL CAGE match. What might happen ? Let’s start the analysis.
The Details
Kansas St -3.5 Vanderbilt (50)
MEGALOCKS LINE – Kansas St -6
“Vegas” Implied Projected Score: Kansas St 26.75 Vanderbilt 23.25
Massey Ratings Projected Score: Kansas St 24 Vanderbilt 17
The Match-Up
Kansas St offense vs Vanderbilt defense
How hard can it be to stop Kansas St ? The common belief is that they are boring and useless on offense but this team scored 32 points per game last season and have already put up over 100 in two games vs weak opponents. Vandy is not going to give up a ton of points but the Wildcats are very efficient and balanced on offense. QB Jesse Ertz is a MEGALOCKS FAVORITE as a 1,000 yard rusher (2016) and efficient passer (4 TD 0 INT this year; 13.8 yards per attempt). They are deep at the RB and WR positions. We also are big fans of JUGGERNAUT FB Winston Dimel who is an absolute load. The Commodores are without last season’s star Zach Cunningham but are very well-coached and disciplined. This will be a really fun chess match to watch unfold.
Vanderbilt offense vs Kansas St defense
The Commodores are also off to a fast start on offense and QB Kyle Shurmur is picking up where he left off late last season. He already has 7 TD passes to his credit (0 INT) and looks like he is developing into a legitimate SEC QB. We worry a bit about the ground game as star RB Ralph Webb has only averaged 2.8 yards per carry so far while playing against two sub-par defenses. The Wildcats are really solid on defense and have no weakness. They are opportunistic and Shurmur will have to be very careful when MATRICULATING down the field in the passing game.
MEGA-MAZING MORSELS
HC Bill Snyder is 59.8% vs Vegas during his return to the HC duties at Kansas St…..61-41-1…..That is pretty amazing….TREND GUY is confused because the Commodores are 8-3 ATS L11 as a home underdog…..The Wildcats have a bye next week…..Vandy faces ROLL TIDE.
Summary
Kansas St appears to be the better team across the board. The margins are slim – but we prefer the balance on offense and the mobile QB – We like the talent on the defense – and the special teams are excellent. Derek Mason is a rock solid HC so that cancels out the Snyder factor. Kansas St is +6 in turnover margin so far and we feel that they will make an extra play on defense and or special teams to win this by a TD or more.
Official play
Kansas St -3.5 -107 (play up to -4) (released 8:08 pm Sept 14)