Auburn Tigers vs. Kansas State Wildcats Betting Odds: Analysis and Prediction

The Auburn Tigers are 4-0 against the spread in their last four road games and have rewarded their financial backers in 13 straight games, while the Kansas State Wildcats are 0-3 ATS in their last three home games.

So the Tigers will try to extend an epic winning trend to 14 games, while the Wildcats will try to buck a losing one in this SEC-Big 12 cat fight in Manhattan on Thursday night.

Point spread: The Tigers opened as 6.5-point favorites at Snyder Family Stadium, according to sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark (line updates and matchup report).

Odds Shark computer prediction: 46.0-33.5 Tigers

Why the Auburn Tigers can cover the spread

The Tigers are 2-0 both straight up and ATS, after beating Arkansas 45-21 and San Jose State 59-13. Auburn has picked up where it left off last year, racking up 595 yards against the Razorbacks and exploding for the cover as 17-point favorites, then putting up 38 points by halftime on its way to the cover as 33-point chalk over the Spartans.

The Tigers, who began the season with eight starters back on offense, including senior quarterback Nick Marshall and four along the offensive line, have averaged 330 yards on the ground through their first two games. Auburn has also showed it can play a little defense when it held Arkansas scoreless in the second half.

All Auburn does is cover the spread, and their 13-0 ATS run combined with a manageable point spread makes them an intriguing pick.

Why the Kansas State Wildcats can cover the spread

The Wildcats are 2-0 SU but 0-2 ATS after wins over Stephen F. Austin and Iowa State. Kansas State dominated its opener with the Lumberjacks, outrushing them 240-69, holding the ball for almost 38 minutes. The only reason the Cats didn't cover that spread is because they were favored by so much, at -41.

Kansas State then won in Ames 32-28, outgaining the Cyclones 471-319 and outrushing them 232-105. But the Wildcats gave up a score on a punt return and went 0-for-2 on two-point conversions. Take away the punt return and make one of those conversions, and Kansas State covers.

The Wildcats are not listed as a home dog too often, but when they are they're dangerous, covering four of their last five games in that spot.

Smart Pick

Auburn is 14-2 both SU and ATS under head coach Gus Malzahn, but this is a tough matchup, going on the non-conference road to play a team that will be well-coached and capable of almost anything.

So while the Tigers might have the edge in talent, circumstances dictate to pick the home dog for Thursday night.

Trends

• Auburn is a perfect 13-0 ATS over its last 13 games.
• Kansas State is 15-8 ATS in its last 23 games at home.

All point spread and lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury updates and line move updates and get the free odds-tracker app.