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The 4-0 and seventh ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers visit the 4-0 Kansas State Wildcats tonight. Sportsbook.com currently has Nebraska as 11 point favorites, while the ‘total’ is 48 points.
After averaging 47.7 PPG in its first three wins (including 56 at Washington), Nebraska only scored 17 against South Dakota State in its last game. Kansas State has only one double-digit win in its first four games, all which have been played at home. KSU’s Daniel Thomas has 157 rushing YPG this year, ranking fifth in the nation.
Nebraska’s Taylor Martinez is 2nd in the nation in rushing yards for a QB (124 rush YPG), trailing only Denard Robinson. RBs Roy Helu Jr. (43 rush, 305 yds, 4 TD) and Rex Burkhead (41 rush, 304 yds, 3 TD) have nearly identical numbers so it makes sense to have them continue to split carries. Helu has 167 rushing yards and three scores in the past two games against KSU. The Blackshirts are 3rd in the nation in pass defense (126 YPG) and 11th in total defense (265 YPG).
Daniel Thomas was the lone bright spot for KSU’s offense against Nebraska last year, racking up 150 total yards. Kansas State also has a strong pass defense, allowing just 154 passing YPG this year (13th in nation).
Nebraska won the last five games against KSU including the prior meeting in Manhattan 56-28. In this contest, the Huskers outgained KSU 610-247, including a 340-59 rushing yardage advantage. Nebraska also won 17-3 last year as the Wildcats converted just 3-of-14 third downs.
The following betting trend found at Sportsbook.com indicates that Kansas State should be able to hang tough as a home dog.
Play On - Home underdogs of 10.5 to 21 points (KANSAS ST) - after 2 or more consecutive straight up wins, after the first month of the season. (30-7 over the last 10 seasons.) (81.1%, +22.3 units. Rating = 3*).
These teams covered the ‘over’ in nine of the past 11 meetings, but this strong trend supports bettors that back the ‘under’ tonight:
Play Under - All teams where the ‘total’ is between 49.5 and 56 (KANSAS ST) - after allowing 5.5 or less passing yards per attempt last game, with 5 offensive starters returning. (69-31 over the last 10 seasons.) (69%, +34.9 units. Rating = 3*).
Now that you’ve got the key numbers on tonight’s game, head over to Sportsbook.com for all of the latest football betting odds. And don’t forget to place your weekend football bets tomorrow to take advantage of Reduced Juice (-105) Fridays.
