Stanford's normally sturdy defense was vulnerable last year. But the pandemic-influenced season, especially for Pac-12 clubs, should mostly be disregarded. The Cardinal should resume something resembling their usual physicality at the line of scrimmage this year. Veteran QB Skylar Thompson will lead a K-State club that prefers to work around a power run game. Even though this matchup will play a little faster on the indoor turf, this game should have plenty of clock-eating drives and defensive stops. The Under gives quite a bit of value against a key number.

Injuries? Check. Early game for a west coast team? Check. De facto home game for the opponent? Check. Slow offense in a game built for speed? Checkmate. Stanford heads east Saturday morning for a matchup against Kansas State at AT&T Stadium in Texas. Give the Wildcats the nod in nearly every category but especially this one...in a stadium built for speed, Kansas State absolutely holds the advantage in big play ability. The Wildcats could play from behind and win if needed, not sure Stanford has the same ability if it gets out of hand.

You can still get this at -2.5 in a few places in the market, but I wouldn't pay more than -120 to do so. Don't let the neutral-site fool you here, this will play like a home game for K-State as they have a massive footprint in North Texas, and generally travel very well. The early start time provides a boost to the Wildcats against a West Coast team. Skylar Thompson will manage this game well enough to cover the -3 as my simulations make this -4.9 in what isn't exactly neutral-site.

Neutral-site game from Dallas, with K-State serving the home team and should also have the major fan advantage. When you don't have one clear starting QB, that is usually a problem. Stanford doesn't as David Shaw said both Jack West and Tanner McKee will play against Kansas State. They have combined to attempt just 63 NCAA passes. KSU brings back one of the most experienced QBs in the nation in super senior Skylar Thompson, who has 30 starts. Stanford also has injury issues regarding top wideout Michael Wilson and defensive backs Jonathan McGill and Salim Turner-Muhammad. The early start time also could be a factor for the West Coast Cardinal.