Big Twelve Preview: Kansas State always tough with Bill Snyder leading the Wildcats

Big Twelve Preview:  Kansas State University

Head Coach:  Bill Snyder  25th season  (193-101-1)

Never think that Kansas State can not win a football game when they have the great Bill Snyder on the sidelines.  Even with a sixth place prediction in the ten team Big Twelve, the Wildcats will put a good and competitive team on the field every Saturday this season.  Never out-coached, Snyder will hunt down his 200th career win in 2016 and he has a fighting chance in getting it.  But with key games on the road, it is not a given. 

On offense Kansas State continues to be as conventionally unconventional as any in the nation.  A simple quarterback driven running game, when the offensive line man handles the opponents defensive front. KSU will move up and down the field. With only one starter coming back on the 0-line, I still think they will move the ball better than most on the ground.  Snyder will find a quarterback among four candidates, with Jesse Ertz leading the pack.  Ertz was injured in game one last year and is a 6’3 junior that is plenty strong at 200lb.  Freshman Skylar Thompson is the future in this position and might see snaps in 2017.  He is a talent in the small KSU recruiting class.  Charles Jones, a 5’10 200 pound senior was effective late last year and will be the feature back.  Just an average offense, yet good enough to run clock and that is all Snyder needs in this 2016 season.  Offense Grade: C

The defense will provide the Cats the emphasis needed for a winning season.  Good players abound, with safety Dante Barnett (6’1  193) and defensive end Jordan Willis (6’5 250) as all Big Twelve performers. Kansas State will have one of the better defenses in the league and will keep the Cats in most games.  Defense Grade:  A-

Special Teams are always important to this program and this season KSU has some kick returner Matthew McCrane is a weapon.  The placement and punter will, as usual, be effective parts of this team.  Special Teams Grade: A-

With an opening game at Stanford, the great Christian McCaffrey will be tested by the Wildcat defense.  Do not expect a win but it could be a close game.  A key game will be October 22 in the Little Apple when the Texas Longhorns come to play.  This game will determine what kind of season the Cats will have.

Games that KSU will win:  Florida Atlantic, Missouri State

Games KSU should win:  Iowa State, Kansas

Toss up games:  Texas Tech, Texas, West Virginia, Oklahoma State, Stanford

Games KSU will lose:  Oklahoma, Baylor, TCU

Projection:  6-6  (4-5, 6th in the Big Twelve)

Feature Photo Credit:  http://wallpaperfolder.com/kansas-state-football-snap-hdw5126097