6Magazine’s Dope 25 College Football Previews: #23 Kansas State WildcatsAugust 3, 2012
Kansas State is 6Magazine’s 23rd ranked team in the country to start the year and with good reason. The Wildcats are coming off a surprising 10-3 season last year.
Bill Snyder is back to his old tricks at the head coach in his second tenure at the school has reminded the country why he elevated the Wildcats from the depths of college football during his first tour as head coach. The formula is pretty much the same as it has always been for Snyder and the Wildcats — option heavy spread multiple run game that is not afraid to run the QB and a stingy defense.
I have always liked the KSU offense, because it has some elements of pretty much the entire history of college football with the option, QB run game, spread elements and often a flair for the dramatic when they do take to the air. Two upperclassman make the whole show go for Kansas State, QB Collin Klein and Arthur Brown, the talented Wildcat Linebacker. Klein is an one man army on offense compiling 1,141 yards on the ground last year with an astounding 27 rushing touchdowns and showed balance with 1,918 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Klein’s delivery might be uglier than a Dana Carvey, but he gets the job done.
Chris Harper and Tyler Lockett are very capable wide receivers, but it is John Hubert at tailback that needs to step up and take the pressure off Klein, because if the QB sustains a serious injury Kansas State is going nowhere fast. Five starters return on offense and the line needs help right away but as is typical, Kansas State always uses the rich JUCO resources that the state of Kansas provides to reload.
On defense, Brown proved why he was one of the top recruits in the country coming out of high school, when he originally signed with Miami. Brown was a force last year with 101 tackles and two sacks. Tre Walker who plays beside Brown at the linebacker position is no slouch either and together they should give KSU one of the top LB units in the Big 12. Similar to the offensive line depth, the defensive line position is thin going into fall camp. Vai Lutiui and Meshak Williams are formidable up front but there is a need for untested players to step up. If Kansas State can improve its 103rd ranked pass defense rating and keep Brown and Klein healthy, the sky is the limit for the Wildcats and that is just how Wild Bill Snyder likes it. The Wildcats are very capable of matching their 2011 record.
Peace,
Broccoli
