2012-13 Football Previews (Big 12) – Kansas St.
Until last season, it hadn’t been since early in the last decade that the K-State football program had its time in the sun. Under longtime coach Bill Snyder (he enters his 21st year in Manhattan this season) the Wildcats reached the Fiesta Bowl in 2003, and finished the year ranked #8 in the country. In 2011, there was a vintage feel at Kansas State: the Wildcats finished ranked #11 and had a Cotton Bowl appearance versus Arkansas.
Big 12 2012-13 Football Previews: Kansas State Wildcats
Coach: Bill Snyder
2011 Record: 10-3
Kansas State Gambling Odds from Sportsbook.com to win BCS: 150-1
They did it primarily on the back of record-setting QB Collin Klein, and he is back for his senior season, for an encore performance. Snyder is an institution at K-State, even during the rough times of the past several seasons before ’11. Snyder and his staff have a reputation of bringing in a haul of JUCO players to replenish the stocks every year, and they hope that – along with everything Klein brings to the table – is enough to push close to double-digit wins once again in 2012.
I could write this segment singularly about Klein, and it would be deserving. He started as a backup WR and special teamer in 2009, but when he got some snaps as a scrambling QB in 2010, the Wildcats knew they had their man. Klein responded by going off for 27 rush TDs (tying a Big 12 record set by legendary former Texas RB Ricky Williams), 3,059 dual-purpose yards (1,141 rush, 1,918 pass) and 13 passing majors.
With the 27 rushing scores, Klein tied the FBS record for rush TDs by a QB – tying Navy’s Ricky Dobbs (in an offense at Navy that seems to throw about 20 times a season) and did it all while guiding his team to 10 wins. Phew, this guy does everything.
At 6”5, 226-lbs, he is rather Tim Tebow-esque, perhaps a little quicker but a little less bruising. Regardless, he had his practice time cut last year because his body was so banged up – he finished third in the entire nation in carries (this is including RBs!)
For what Klein doesn’t do, look for junior WR Marquez Clark to help out; Clark set a JUCO record with 98 receptions and 1,639 yards last season. Strong sophomore C B.J. Finney anchors a respectable offensive line.
The defense is led by LB Arthur Brown and CB Nigel Malone. Brown was originally a signee at Miami, but transferred back to his home state of Kansas to play for the Wildcats. He’s having a fantastic collegiate career, as he registered 101 tackles and 7.5 TFLs as a junior in ’11. Malone nabbed seven picks last year and finished with all-Big 12 honors. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
The special teams duties are handled by a couple of veterans in senior K Anthony Cantele and P Ryan Doerr.
2012-13 Kansas State Football Prediction: 7-6
Klein shook the FBS landscape last year with his uncanny performances. Barring injury – which is quite possible with Klein’s gutsy, reckless play – he will again be outstanding (though it might be hard to improve upon 40 total TDs!) However, opposing defenses will be more prepared for K-State’s game-plan this time around; namely, Klein left, Klein right, Klein up the middle.
I expect him to be excellent, yet not quite as effective as last year. Other contributors on offense must step up in a more regular fashion to take the pressure off the Wildcats’ pivot.
The defense is strong, and K-State should again be a respectable team. Road games at Oklahoma, West Virginia and TCU loom large, but the Wildcats should be scrappy in any game they play this season. I predict K-State to be down a bit simply because the opposition is more accustomed to what the Wildcats bring to the table.
Regardless, it will be a treat watching Klein shred people up for another season.
2012 KSU Schedule
9/1/12 7:10 PM ET MSBS
9/8/12 12:00 PM ET MIAMI
9/15/12 TBD NOTEX
9/22/12 TBD @OKLA
10/6/12 TBD KANS
10/13/12 TBD @IOWST
10/20/12 TBD @WVIRG
10/27/12 TBD TXTCH
11/3/12 TBD OKLST
11/10/12 TBD @TCU
11/17/12 TBD @BAY
12/1/12 TBD TEXAS
