College Football Best Bets Week 3: This Deuce Vaughn scoring prop rarely disappoints

Here is a statistic you should know about Deuce Vaughn.

The junior Kansas State running back has rushed for at least one touchdown in nine consecutive games, an impressive streak that began more than a calendar year ago.

He has also rushed for more than 100 yards in eight straight games, which is arguably even better stat. But let’s focus solely on his consistent scoring prowess as we examine the best bets to make in college football this week.

Why are touchdowns important? Well, there are many more options for bettors than just money lines, spreads and point totals. If you are confident that Vaughn will run for another touchdown when K-State hosts Tulane at 2 p.m. on Saturday, which you should be, then you will want to put some money down on him doing exactly that.

Betting on Vaughn to reach the end zone at any point during K-State’s past nine games (aka an Anytime TD) would have netted a hefty profit.

Odds are good he will once again find pay dirt against the Green Wave, a team that allowed 200 rushing yards and a touchdown in their opener against Massachusetts. Vaughn might even notch multiple touchdowns, which is something he has done five times over his past nine games. You can bet on that, too.

You won’t get even money on an Anytime TD bet involving Vaughn, but putting up $50 to win $25 seems worth the risk. If you want to up the stakes, you can bet on him to score twice or more.

Adrian Martinez hasn’t thrown for a touchdown since he took over as K-State’s starting quarterback, which has given Vaughn plenty of opportunities near the goal line.

Last week, he rumbled his way to 145 yards and two touchdowns against Missouri.

Tulane has produced some incredible defensive statistics this season, as the Green Wave have only allowed a grand total of 10 points through two games. But they have not been tested yet. Each of their first two games came against inferior competition, such as UMass and Alcorn State.

Oddsmakers project K-State to score north of 35 points against Tulane. Vaughn will almost certainly keep his touchdown streak alive if that comes to fruition.

Can the Jayhawks cover ... again?

Over its past five games, Kansas has surprisingly gone 3-2 and covered the spread five straight times.

The Jayhawks rewarded bettors yet again last week when they pulled off a 55-42 victory at West Virginia despite entering the contest as a 13.5-point underdog. Kudos if you bet the money line.

If you didn’t heed my advice and bet on KU last week, you should consider doing so as the Jayhawks head to Houston as 10.5-point underdogs in their next game. The line has been moving up, so it might be worth waiting to see if it goes as high as two touchdowns by Saturday.

The Cougars are the better team, but they seem a bit overrated. They have needed overtime to beat UTSA in their opener and then went to overtime again last week in a loss at Texas Tech.

Kansas is on par with UTSA and Texas Tech. Also: the Jayhawks haven’t lost a game by double digits since last November.

It won’t be a surprise in the slightest if this game goes down to the wire.

Elsewhere in the Big 12

Texas State +30 at Baylor: The Bears could easily run up the score on the Bobcats. But beware, Texas State just beat Florida International 41-12 and played Baylor close a year ago.

Oklahoma -10.5 at Nebraska: Probably best to stay away from this one following the Huskers’ coaching change. But the Huskers (along with Charlotte, Utah State and UTEP) are one of the few teams that is 0-3 against the spread this season.

Ohio +17.5 at Iowa State: The Cyclones should cruise at home, unless they experience a let down following their first win over Iowa under coach Matt Campbell.

Texas Tech +9.5 at North Carolina State: The Red Raiders have been a pleasant surprise through two games. But this is their first road trip under coach Joey McGuire.

UTSA +12 at Texas: This could be a tricky game for the Longhorns. How do they move on after Alabama?

Other betting lines to consider

• Vanderbilt +2 at Northern Illinois: It’s not every day you see a SEC team getting plus odds against a MAC opponent.

• Ole Miss -16 at Georgia Tech: The Rebels are playing well and Georga Tech is 0-2 against the spread.

• Tennessee -48.5 vs. Akron: The Volunteers beat Ball State by 49 in their opener.

• Clemson -32 vs. Louisiana Tech: If Missouri could score 52 on this team imagine what Clemson might do.

• Washington State -17 vs. Colorado State: Few teams have looked worse than the Rams this season, while the Cougars are undefeated and coming off a win at Wisconsin.

Best bets

Western Kentucky +7.5 at Indiana: I really like this bet if you can still find the point spread on this side of a touchdown. The Hilltoppers are off to a 2-0 start and they have a high-powered offense that can move the ball on the ground. Indiana is also 2-0, but has looked anything but impressive so far. The Hoosiers had to rally from a 10-0 halftime deficit to beat Idaho last week.

This seems like an opportunity for an upset. ESPN college football statistician Bill Connelly predicts Western Kentucky to win by four. Take the points with confidence.

Pick: Western Kentucky.

Colorado +27 at Minnesota: The Buffaloes might be the nation’s worst team from a power conference. They opened the season with a 38-13 home loss to TCU and followed that up with a 41-10 loss at Air Force. I don’t see things going much better as it leaves the Rocky Mountains for a road game against the Gophers, who are 2-0 and have yet to win a game by fewer than 38 points.

Pick: Minnesota.

Tulane +13.5 at K-State: I don’t understand why this line opened at 20 and dropped below two touchdowns by the middle of the week. Maybe because it could be viewed as a trap game for the Wildcats, wedged between Missouri and Oklahoma on the schedule. But when has K-State ever fallen victim to looking ahead? Tulane might provide a better test than South Dakota and Missouri for the Wildcats, but I still like them by three scores on Saturday.

Pick: K-State.

Fresno State +13 at USC: The Trojans have been favored by double digits in both of their games this season and had no trouble delivering a pair of covers. Lincoln Riley has USC playing well ahead of schedule. Fresno State is capable of keeping this game close, but the Bulldogs are 0-2 against the spread this season.

Pick: USC.

Kansas +10.5 at Houston: The Jayhawks have covered in five straight games. Why stop betting on them now?

Pick: KU.

Last Week: 1-4. Season Record: 2-7-1.