2016-17 Football Previews – (Big 12) – Wildcats
Looking for 2016 Kansas State Wildcats predictions? Legendary Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder coached in Manhattan from 1989 to 2005 and then bowed out, ostensibly to retire. This is a man that played QB for Missouri in 1958, after all. Of course, the little program that could was lost without their leader, and the aged Snyder returned in 2009 for a second coaching stint, and he’s currently in his eighth year of his second “tour of duty.”
NCAA Football Gambling Lines
2016-17 College Football Preview – Kansas State Wildcats
Head Coach: Bill Snyder
2015 Record: 6-7
Kansas State Wildcats Odds to win 2017 FBS Championship: +50000
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
***More 2016 NCAA Football Team Season Previews***
Snyder almost always out-does expectations – he’s built a career on it – and he intends to do the same with the 2016 Kansas State program.
2016 Kansas State Wildcats Predictions: Team Strengths
The KSU Wildcats return all five of their leading tacklers on defense from a year ago. They also bring back senior DE Jordan Willis, who had 9.5 sacks in ’15.
The Wildcats do not have an explosive offense, so they must rely on the stinginess on the other side of the ball to keep them in games.
[dfads params=’groups=220&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Keep an eye on LB/DB ‘tweener Charmeachealle Moore who – apart from taxing ink toners at the DMV – looked like a star in the making late last year, making 37 tackles in the final three games.
Elsewhere, Kansas State has a great special teams unit, led by the strong-legged duo of K Matthew McCrane and P Nick Walsh.
The two juniors were honorable mention All-Big 12 at their position in 2015, and with a strong defensive team, the field position battle will be critical – even in the high-flying Big 12.
On the other side of the ball, C Dalton Risner is a special one, just a sophomore and the leader of the offensive line. With many new starters on the front wall, Risner’s leadership will be important.
Kansas State has always had a tricky time attracting marquee recruits, usually settling for junior college transfers.
This off-season, the Cats finally got one in QB Skylar Thompson, who should instantly make the QB unit more dynamic.
2016 Kansas State Wildcats Predictions: Team Weaknesses
Thompson will need to add a shot of life, because the incumbent QB situation wasn’t inspiring fear in anybody.
Senior Joe Hubener is a decent threat to run, as evidenced with his 613 yards and 13 TDs on the ground last season, but his passing is, well, not good.
Check out the free College football picks from Cappers Picks experts today!
He’ll be challenged by junior Jesse Ertz, who was injured for the year previously, and the aforementioned freshman Thompson.
Running back duo Charles Jones and Justin Silmon also need to do more in 2016; neither of them surpassed five yards per clip or cracked 700 yards rushing. Maybe it is a case of “too many cooks in the kitchen.”
Noticeable improvement isn’t a guarantee because of all the new faces on the O-line. It is on Jones and Silmon to take a step forward.
2015’s leading receiver Deante Burton is back, but he only had 38 receptions for 510 yards and four majors.
Any other player that can find chemistry with the new pivot will be welcomed by Snyder and offensive staff, co-offensive co-ordinators Dana Dimel and Del Miller.
Kansas State Wildcats 2016 Prediction: 7-6
Snyder has an impressive ability for getting a lot with a little. The defense will be strong and if the attack can improve slightly, the Wildcats will be a tough customer this year.
The schedule doesn’t do them any favors, as KSU gets Stanford, Oklahoma, TCU and Baylor all on the road.
[dfads params=’groups=219&limit=1&return_javascript=1′]
Considering the Cats won 28 ballgames from 2012-14, the aging Snyder still finds magic; KSU finished with a losing record last year with a loss in its bowl game.
I think the Wildcats will make marginal improvement in the Big 12 in 2016 and will make another bowl contest.
2016 Kansas State Wildcats Football Schedule
- 09/02/2016 at Stanford 9:00 pm
- 09/17/2016 vs. Florida Atl. 2:30 pm
- 09/24/2016 vs. Missouri St. 7:00 pm
- 10/01/2016 at West Virginia TBA
- 10/08/2016 vs. Texas Tech TBA
- 10/15/2016 at Oklahoma TBA
- 10/22/2016 vs. Texas TBA
- 10/29/2016 vs. Iowa St. TBA
- 11/05/2016 vs. Oklahoma St. TBA
- 11/12/2016 BYE
- 11/19/2016 at Baylor TBA
- 11/26/2016 vs. Kansas TBA
- 12/03/2016 at TCU TBA
What do you think about our 2016 Kansas State Wildcats predictions? Please leave us a comment below telling us how you think they’ll do in 2016!
The 2016 College futures betting season is here in full force! If you like to bet on NCAA football, you are in the best possible place for online betting. CappersPicks.com has NCAAF odds up on a ton of futures, and you will also find College football lines up for early games as well.
Check out our Updated College Football Betting Odds.