RIVER CITY SHARPS
Opening weekend was not a pleasant one for HC Paul Rhoads and the Iowa State Cyclones, who were gashed by FCS-level North Dakota State 34-14. The Kansas State Wildcats also opened their year with an FCS opponent, taking on Stephen F. Austin and winning 55-16. While K St HC Bill Snyder likes what his offense has looked like through practice and their first game, he openly criticized his defense and expects a much better effort this weekend. In Iowa State’s loss to North Dakota St., the Cyclones surrendered 506 yards of total offense to the Bison, including 302 yards rushing! To add more problems to the mix, Iowa State also lost star WR Quenton Bundrage to an ACL injury in that game and he will be out for the season. Snyder has thrived ATS as the HC of Kansas State, posting a 31-11 ATS mark against conference opponents, and he has also been pretty good on the road, posting a 16-7 ATS mark. The Cyclones haven’t been the greatest cover machine, highlighted by their 1-7 mark as a double digit dog. Last year, these teams played in Manhattan and Kansas St, as a 17-point favorite, shutout the Cyclones 45-0. We are big believers in not “overreacting” to Week 1 results, but in this spot, we are going to back the road favorite that appears to have everything in their favor. Snyder also takes every opportunity to score when they can and we think that helps the cause here on the road. This is going to be a long season for Rhoads and his Cyclones. The Sharps say…
3 UNITS – KANSAS STATE WILDCATS (-12)