The best NCAA College Football game of the week falls into ESPN's lap as #5 Auburn travels to Kansas State to take on the #20 ranked Wildcats. Auburn should have no excuses have getting a bye's week of rest and off two routs of San Jose St. 59-13 and then crushing a pretty good Arkansas team 45-21, which earned them the high ranking according to latest stats from Diamond Sports. But be careful as the Tigers are scheduled to play six top ranked teams in the coming weeks and might be looking past this one.

Kansas State has a reputation of playing tough in front of a raucous home crowd but in reality has lost all three lifetime meetings to Auburn. They've also lost six straight games against non-conference opponents, four of them in bowls. Their offense is decimated from graduation and key transfers with QB Jake Waters inheriting the job. Tyler Lockett is his key go-to guy at WR. On defense the situation is a bit brighter but still only seven returnees from last season. DE Ryan Mueller is a key pass rusher up front, who had 12 sacks last season.

Auburn has many future stars to look to scoring points including QB Nick Marshall and WR Sammie Coates. The only major loss is running back Tre Mason from last year. Defense is where Auburn will be more challenged to hold on to their Top 10 ranking. This could be a team later identified as trying to outscore their opponents if they don't prove their mettle against tougher SEC foes.

NCAA Football Betting Strategies

All indications the public loves Auburn and Under according to early flow learned at Diamond Sports.. The college football betting odds opened up as Auburn a 6 point favorite but currently hovering around -9 and might go higher by game time. Curiously, the Total opened around 70 but has steadily dropped to approximately 65 at the moment. That might more reflect a lack of confidence Kansas State will score than Auburn will roll up the points similar to the first two games.

Can't argue with Auburn's record of 10-4 ATS being a favorite the past three seasons but that is negated by Kansas State impressive ATS mark of 5-2 as an underdog. Tough to make a confident call here. A slightly better option might be looking at the Total, where Kansas State can potentially score and definitely be scored upon to help roll up the points. Plus Auburn could use the high final number to maintain their high ranking with AP voters. Over the better choice.