Nevada vs. Kansas State Prediction: Skylar Thompson’s Injury Impacts Total

One of the biggest injury developments in college football this week is centered around Kansas State’s quarterback Skylar Thompson. Thompson suffered a knee injury last Saturday against Southern Illinois which will put him on the sidelines indefinitely. 

This could spell trouble against a dangerous Nevada team that is 2-0 on the season -- including a win at Cal in Week 1 -- and a potential first round pick at quarterback in Carson Strong. 

Here are the updated odds for this Week 3 matchup, per WynnBET:

Kansas State vs. Nevada Odds

Spread: 

Kansas State: +1 (-110)

Nevada: -1 (-110)

Moneyline: 

Kansas State: -105

Nevada: -115

Over/Under: 50.5 (-110/-110)

The line movement has been interesting throughout the week. Since Thompson has been ruled out, the Wildcats have gone from +2 to +1 while the total has taken off from 49 to 50.5.

Well, that could be because of the familiarity that Kansas State has with backup quarterback Will Howard. Howard appeared in nine games last season with Thompson battling injuries last season as well. 

Howard posted mixed results in that time, completing only 53% of his passes with eight touchdowns and 10 interceptions, but this Kansas State offense is going to revolve around the play of running back Deuce Vaughn. 

Vaughn is one of the most explosive backs in the country, averaging 5.5 yards per carry on 162 carries over the past two seasons. Vaughn is a threat to take any touch to the house, and he'll be facing a Nevada defensive front that is in the bottom half of the country in explosive rush defense.

Head coach Chris Klieman will have all week to scheme up this offense to fit Howard’s play style and I see a sound game plan that can get Kansas State into the high 20’s. 

I lean Nevada to win this game outright despite the line movement against them, but I'll lay off this week. My eyes are on the total, and it's mainly because of my affection for this offense.

Strong is the leader of an efficient air raid offense that has the likes of stud receiver Romeo Doubs at wide receiver. Kansas State hasn’t been challenged all that much through the air through two weeks, and Strong is going to be able to pick apart a unit that only has a 64% returning production this season, 111th in the country, per ESPN. 

It's not the best number from the opener, but I see explosive plays on both sides pushing this number over this total of 50.5 in a game Nevada likely pulls out.

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