#5 Auburn at #20 Kansas State Preview and Predictions

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Aug 30, 2014; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall (14) breaks past Arkansas Razorbacks safety Josh Liddell (28) for a touchdown in the third quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports

Prediction:

The first major game of Auburn’s difficult 2014 schedule has arrived. A big night game at Bill Snyder Stadium has the defending SEC champs on upset alert.

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Though not an SEC game, this game will still have a big impact on the momentum and perception of Auburn’s season. I believe these offenses will take a little while to get moving, but in the second half, I expect a shootout, with Auburn’s powerful HUNH attack battling with the Wildcats’ dynamic passing attack. Jake Waters will throw for over 400 yards and four touchdowns, including 2 scores to Tyler Lockett.

However, up by two field goals late in the game, the Tigers will ice it with a touchdown. Nick Marshall throws for over 200 yards, Cameron Artis-Payne and Corey Grant combine for over 250 rushing yards, and the Tigers win their first big game of the season.

#5 Auburn Tigers 47, #20 Kansas State Wildcats 35

SEC Predictions:

#3 Alabama 27, Florida 21 (If Florida can capitalize in the red zone, they have a real shot here.)

#6 Texas A&M 63, SMU 7 (What’s the opposite of “competitive”?)

#8 LSU 28, Mississippi State 23 (Dak almost puts himself on the Heisman map, but the Bulldogs fall short.)

#13 Georgia 70, Troy 14 (The Trojans are a dumpster fire, quite frankly.)

#14 South Carolina 45, Vanderbilt 0 (Nine-win seasons in Nashville feel like forever ago.)

#18 Missouri 52, Indiana 24 (There’s legitimate reason to think Mizzou is the East’s best… again.)

Arkansas 38, Northern Illinois 17 (For the third straight week, the Hogs will BERT ‘EM DOWN.)

Other Notable Games:

#1 Florida State 42, #22 Clemson 14 (The ‘Noles are still the top team in the ACC. By far.)

#24 Nebraska 34, Miami 10 (The Huskers lost their big non-conference home game last year… to a team much better than Miami.)

East Carolina 37, North Carolina 35 (The week’s most underrated game? Easily.)

Utah 28, Michigan 17 (The Utes will deliver Brady Hoke and the Big Ten yet another big loss.)

#4 Oklahoma 31, West Virginia 30 (A night game in Morgantown will almost spell doom for the Sooners. Almost.)

UPSET ALERT! Virginia 24, #21 BYU 21 (The Cavaliers might be one of the most-improved teams in college football. They nearly beat UCLA, then beat #21 Louisville last week. The defense is legit. The Cavs will storm into Provo and leave victorious.)

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