Kansas State Wildcats
Overall Rank: #50
#8 Big 12
Kansas State Team Page
2010 Record: (7-6, 3-5)
2010 Bowl: Pinstripe Bowl vs. Syracuse (L 34-36)
Coach: Bill Snyder (149-80-1 at Kansas State, 149-80-1 overall)
Offensive Coordinator: Dana Dimel and Del Miller
Defensive Coordinator: Chris Cosh
Returning Leaders:
Rushing: Collin Klein, QB, 432 yards
Passing: Collin Klein, QB, 138 yards
Receiving: Chris Harper, WR, 330 yards
Tackles: David Garrett, CB, 92
Sacks: David Garrett, CB, 3.0
Interceptions: Ty Zimmerman, S, 3
Other Key Returnees: OT Clyde Aufner, OT Manase Foketi, DT Raphael Guidry, DE Brandon Harold, S Tysyn Hartman, LB Alex Hrebeck, DT Ray Kibble, TE Travis Tannahill, WR Tramaine Thompson
Key Losses: DT Prizell Brown, QB Carson Coffman, DE Antonio Felder, CB Stephen Harrison, G Zach Kendall, G Kenneth Mayfield, WR Aubrey Quarles, CB Terrance Sweeney, RB Daniel Thomas, C Wade Weibert
Yet again, Kansas State enters a season with questions at quarterback. However, the rushing attack got the Wildcats into the postseason in 2010. Even without Daniel Thomas, who rushed for 1,555 yards and 19 touchdowns before heading to the NFL, Coach Bill Snyder has a talented rusher on his hands. Bryce Brown was regarded by many as the top running back in the class of 2009. He went to Tennessee, but transferred to Kansas State after Lane Kiffin left the Volunteers. He did not play too much as a freshman, but Brown is a superb talent and is poised to keep the Wildcats among the best rushing teams in the Big 12.
Strengths:
The defense was not particularly good last season, but there are a lot of players returning and plenty of others who are ready to step in and make a big impact. After ranking 11th in the 12 team conference a year ago, the defense can only get better, but do not be surprised if they get a lot better. The front four had the biggest problem, failing to stop the run from consistently getting into the backfield. Brandon Harold, Ray Kibble and Raphael Guidry are all experienced players, but the Wildcats might look to somebody like incoming freshman Ian Seau, son of NFL superstar Junior, to mix things up a little bit. The linebackers return Alex Hrebec and Jarell Childs, but the addition of Arthur Brown, a transfer from Miami (FL) and brother of Bryce, should make this unit much, much better. Expect the defense to stick with a 4-3 formation instead of reverting to a 4-2-5 more this year with the increased depth at linebacker. That alone should help the rush defense. The secondary was the strongest unit in 2010 and should be in 2011 as well. Cornerback David Garrett led the team in tackles a year ago, free safety Tysyn Hartman is an experienced player who can make some big hits and Ty Zimmerman is a star in the making after having a superb freshman campaign.
Weaknesses:
The likely candidate to replace quarterback Carson Coffman is Collin Klein. The 6-5 junior is a very mobile signal caller who actually rushed for 378 yards and six touchdowns last season. He only threw 18 passes and he will need to develop his passing game before he will be cemented as this team’s starter. Junior college transfer Justin Tuggle, who replaced Cam Newton at Blinn Junior College, is Klein’s main competition. However, Sammuel Lamur and Daniels Sams are not out of the picture, but it is Klein’s job to lose. Losing Aubrey Quarles and Adrian Hilburn will not make it very easy for any quarterback. Receivers Chris Harper and Tramaine Thompson are good players if they can stay healthy. Tight end Travis Tannahill could be in for a big year if the new quarterbacks have trouble looking down the field. And they may with a trio of new faces on the offensive line. Tackles Manase Foketi and Clyde Aufner are nice pieces to build around, but there are going to be some young players in the middle of the offensive line.
The Bottom Line:
In his third season back at Kansas State, Coach Snyder is starting to rebuild the talent base in the program. There is more depth on this team than there has been for a while and that is a step in the right direction. However, as a former Big 12 North school, the schedule is tougher this time around. There is no more missing out on a few of those Texas and Oklahoma schools. Add a trip to down to Florida to play Miami and this group will have to pull off an upset somewhere down the line to reach a bowl game. And this is a group that has the talent to head to a place like Texas Tech and pull off a victory.
Projected Bowl: Pinstripe Bowl
2010 Team Stats:
Rushing Offense: 199.46 (22nd in nation, 2nd in conference)
Passing Offense: 179.31 (92, 9)
Total Offense: 378.77 (62, 9)
Scoring Offense: 33.62 (22, 3)
Rushing Defense: 231.38 (119, 12)
Pass Defense: 214.31 (52, 5)
Total Defense: 445.69 (106, 11)
Scoring Defense: 29.08 (78, 8)
Turnover Margin: .31 (36, 5)
Sacks: 1.54 (90, 9)
Sacks Allowed: 2.38 (84, 9)
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