2007 Opponent Preview…Kansas State
23 comments so far
July 31, 2007 by
Kansas State exceeded most every expectation in 2006. After two years of failing to qualify for a bowl, the Wildcats not only made it to a bowl in their first year under Ron Prince but they became the first Big 12 North team to beat Texas in years. Now expectations are even higher.
But the sledding will be tougher. The Wildcats open at Auburn and then three weeks later will travel to Texas. Despite a bye week to get ready for the Longhorns, it’s hard to imagine that the Wildcats will get the better of Texas a second time. Then the Wildcats will try to get by Kansas (a team that beat them 39-20 in Lawrence a year ago) and Colorado (a team that’s sure to be better than it was in 2006). They then go on the road to Oklahoma State before an easier pair of games against Baylor at home and at Iowa State. Then comes a game at Nebraska before they host Missouri.
The Wildcats were 10th in scoring offense in 2006 and seventh in scoring defense. Their offensive line is still problematic so much of their hopes are pinned on their skill positions. Josh Freeman threw only six touchdown passes against fifteen interceptions. That’s got to improve (or else he’ll lose his starting job). Defensively, the Wildcats will be adjusting to a switch to a 3-4 scheme.
A 4-4 conference record seems like the best case scenario and 3-5 or 2-6 seems possible as well. With at least one sure loss out of conference, the Wildcats will be lucky to earn a bowl invitation. Their best hope is for their defense to gel quickly so they can sneak by teams like Kansas and Colorado. If they do earn a bowl invitation, they can repeat the most uttered phrase since the Big 12 was founded, “Thank God we play Baylor”.
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Andrew Jul 31 07
Music to my hears!
OU7times Jul 31 07
A bowl game in his first year at coach. Not bad for an accused "Big talker",huh Steve? Josh Freeman did beat Texas, and coming from behind, no less. I know that there is no love lost on Josh, as far as NU fans are conerned,but give him credit, he did beat Texas which OU and NU didn't get done. Don't rule out a real solid season from Prince's team this year.
Steve Jul 31 07
OU7,
I haven't ruled out 8-5 for KSU which could probably be considered solid (especially given where they were in Snyder's last two seasons). I'm just not setting the over/under at 7.5 wins. If you don't think Prince makes some bold statements, I'd encourage you to check out some of the things he's said.
The win against Texas doesn't erase the two ugly losses KSU suffered with him at the helm after that game.
OU7times Jul 31 07
Right Steve, my comments were tounge in cheek. I can't say anything about statements that Coach Prince has said because I am not aware of any. If you say they were "bold" statements, then I believe you. Not meaning to re-hash but could you hit the highlites on some of his comments? I'd have to agree to the fact that K-State was certainly a different team, the last couple of games. I guess that I attributed it to their maximum physical effort/injuries against Texas really was just too much for them.
ze robertinho Jul 31 07
Aside:
ATTENTION!
Big Red is all over FCS this week in NC game replays; unfortunately all games that we lost. They are all good games though: NU/MIA '84; NU/FSU '93('94 technically); and NU/FSU '90 Fiesta(actually I think we lost bad in that one). Hopefully they'll show the ones we won in ensuing weeks.
Also, many highlights from last season's CFB all week.
Check your guide....
Steve Jul 31 07
OU7,
Here's one:
"Our goal every year is to play as good as we can in September and October, and then play our best football in the month of November when we're hopefully in the hunt for a title," Prince said. "If we can find a kicking game, and play defense, then we can scratch and claw on offense for enough points to win games.
"We need to get our offensive line fixed up and find a couple more receivers to go with Josh (Freeman, quarterback). If we can find some help for Josh, we'll have as good of a chance as anybody to make it to San Antonio (site for the Big 12 title game)."
And some commentary on that quote from a good friend of mine:
"Okay, seriously coach, is that all? Find a kicking game, play D, scratch and claw for points, fix the o-line and find a couple receivers...and your chances to go to SA are as good as anyone's. Really???
That is some of the best "coach speak" I've ever heard. 'Other than those 4 or 5 things, we're as good as anybody'."
Beyond that, Ron Prince felt the need to remind us "I'm no Bobby Bowden...I've got a lot to learn still". Thanks for the clarification coach!
And then the gushing over Freeman never stops, "If JaMarcus Russell and Josh Freeman stood next to each other right now, they'd look very similar". That is, right up until they took a snap!
Jeremy Jul 31 07
You also forgot to mention in there that KU and Mizzou has not won a football game in Manhattan in about a half decade. And some of you obviously didn't watch the K-State-Texas game last year. I don't know how anyone could be down on Freeman after that performance(you also forgot to mention that he was only a freshman last season, and only had 6 starts up to the UT game).
OU7times Jul 31 07
I gottcha, kind of like he old saying "If ands and buts were candy and nuts..." Coach Prince probably is not comfortable with telling it like it is (aka: Keepin it real)yet. I have to say that the KSU-UT game really did look like the Cats had come around the corner only to go flat, really flat.
Steve Jul 31 07
Jeremy,
Actually, I did catch the Texas-KSU game. I thought that game reflected better on Prince than Freeman. Some of those trick plays were gutsy and inspired and helped a young quarterback hit some wide open targets.
I'm guessing you missed Freeman's six turnovers in the game played a week later against Kansas. Ugly.
Then did you catch his 3 turnover "masterpiece" against Rutgers after he had almost seven weeks to prepare?
How about his 2 turnover - zero yard "classic" performance in KSU's spring game after he had the entire spring to prepare?
After three bad games in a row, don't you have to wonder if this guy's really going to be ready to start in 2007? With Coffman looking better at this point, you have to wonder if he's the right guy to start this year.
Jeremy Jul 31 07
I do agree with you when you say that his last 3 performances weren't the best to say the least. But most of that was protection issues with our offensive line. The KU game was an absolute disgrace. But the bowl game against a 10-2 Rutgers team that should have been in a better bowl game than the Texas Bowl. But the thing with the spring game is, K-State's spring game is not like most where its 1's against two's. It's all mixed togather with 1's, 2's, and 3's on the same team. Freeman unfortunatly had the 2nd and 3rd string O-line in front of him. Watching the game, he had no time to set up and throw at all. And there were two O-linemen out that really could have helped him.(One injured and one had family issues). Now unfortunatly we will have to face a loaded Auburn defense for the first game of the year. So like you said, we will have to get our O-line figured out before then.
ze Jul 31 07
'MildActs' were up 21 over TX--with Sneed-- and still nearly lost that one. Had Colt not gotten injured I doubt 'Acts' would have won.
TX's D looked like it was asleep most of the game.
AND, why isn't anyone complaining about all the trickeration 'Acts' used in that one like they do about NE over Puffs last year? Hmmmm?
I credit 'Acts' though, they came to play and Freeman could be a big time player. But it's too bad his collegiate glory days maxed out in his frosh year as I see 'Acts' as actually being worse for the next few years, as Princey's wish/hope list suggests(Prince and Hawkins of Puffyland are exchanging notes as far as I can tell: "..We're Gonna, We're Gonna...If Only", title to their collective playbook). In the meantime, NE wins the north and nearly the CC and trip to BCS in, still, a transtiton year. Freeman really should have stuck by his word-- like a man, not be a drama queen--and joined NU. So, maybe, reading between the lines, I'm also saying that J-boy lacks a certain practical judgement. I mean, really, how smart can he be by 'chosing' 'Acts' over BR? I can only surmise that he is either fairly dense, very impulsive, or that he and Prince have a not so secret love affair going on(nudge, nudge)! Gabbert will surpass what Freeboy only dreams of accomplishing. But in the mean time we have Keller--ha, ha--who will also outplay JF this year.
Big Red will create clear separation from the rest of the north, starting....uh,...last year...and for about 35 of the last 40 years.
Bid Red is just going to smack Freeboy all over the field this year, w/o a doubt. KSU wants to be REAL, but, alas, they are forever destined to being just 'Acts'!
NU 42
'Acts' 17
OU7times Jul 31 07
Being an OU fan, I know a little bit about trickery (see Boise St.). OUCH! Lots of teams seem to be using trick plays these days. OU not withstanding, fake punts etc. Remember when the trick play was a rarity but a real treat? Fumblerooskies,tightend reverses,hook and lateral's were sure to be crowd pleasers often, even if it was against your team! My personal favorite was Turner Gill's backward bounce pass. Perfect example. It was against my team. I would like trick plays to be used less often, personally. I feel that tricks will only be more frequent because of the mere fact that you just really can't defend it, alot of the time. Consider it football "terrorism" (no disrespect to our vets). You never know when or where it will occur. More like NU 31 KSU 23.
Jeremy Aug 01 07
I agree with OU7, 31-23 does sound more realistic. Even though I do cheer for K-State, I feel that Nebraska will still win the north this year.
Matt Aug 04 07
Steve,
Tell me this isn't what you do for a living. Certainly you'd be more professional and less vindictive if you did. Then again Rossiter and Rose make a living being unprofessional and vindictive, but I digress.
Heaven forbid a head coach think that his team has a chance to compete for a championship. It would take a lot of breaks, but this K-State team should be in the hunt. They did finish tied for second in the division last year. They should beat Colorado, Kansas, and Baylor at home. They should beat Iowa State anywhere. K-State plays Missouri in Manhattan where the tigers haven't won since these players were in preschool. Not to mention that game is in late November, where Gary Pinkel's track record isn't so hot.
I expect this K-State team to win 7 games this season. That will be a solid season, and another building block for a young head coach.
steve Aug 04 07
Matt,
You think I'm being unfairly vindictive when I said I'm not setting the over/under at 7.5 games. But if I had, you would have just taken the "under". It doesn't really sound like our expectations for the season are that wildly different. We both agree that Baylor and ISU are going down. I find CU and KU to be far from gimmes and I think OSU, TX, NU, and MU are all better than KSU. You can't be liking the offensive line - and by extension the offense.
ze Aug 05 07
Kudos for Steve, Jason, and the other guy for breaking out of the mold of the standardized professional 'mind' and talking some smack!
Woohoo!
Matt Aug 05 07
Steve,
I think your idea that a coach saying their goal is to play for a championship is a "bold" statement is a reach. You've made your dislike for K-State and Ron Prince clear. Any fan in the conference, except perhaps Baylor and Iowa State, should be very disappointed if their coach doesn't set up winning the conference as their goal.
You belive Colorado, whom K-State beat on the road in 2006, is "sure to be better", but don't mention a possible improvement by a young Wildcat team in their second season under a new head coach.
Again, I believe a 4-4 conference record is what should be expected, and not a best case scenario.
Steve Aug 05 07
Matt,
It sounds silly, but I considered CU "the best 2-10 team in the country" last year. There defense played some very good games. Heck, they had an awfully good Georgia team on the ropes. But their quarterback couldn't hit the ocean if he was swimming in it. But now they bring in a kid with 72% accuracy at the high school level off a redshirt (and considering how many dropped passes you see in high school, he's probably even sharper than that number implies). He's also the coaches son which means he probably knows as much as his Dad does about the offense. It's hard not to imagine their offense being considerably better. Add in the star running back and o-lineman they recruited and they could be looking like a whole new team.
Meanwhile, Freeman has regressed since Texas and now he's having trouble passing his physical to begin practicing. We've heard nothing from Prince to suggest that Coffman will get an equal chance to compete for the starting job which means if Freeman doesn't get straightened out, he could take the team down with him. The offensive line play was bad in Spring and no quick fixes are coming in the fall. So the yards will be tough to come by.
The defense will be asked to carry the team, but this isn't the Sooners we're talking about. To some people, this team might look like last year's Buffs. I don't think it will be that bad, but 3-5 or 2-6 would hardly surprise me.
Matt Aug 05 07
Colorado may be very much improved, but the best 2-10 team in the country is still 2-10. Don't go reading too much KC Star. Their KU beat writer likes to say how Florida Int'l isn't too bad for an 0-12 team.
I'm not convinced Freeman "regressed". Besides the Colorado game, he played very well at home, and very poor away from home. Poor decisions by a true freshman lead to turnovers, which lead to losses.
Let's not get carried away with using spring games to judge how seasons will go. Wasn't it Joe Dailey that rewrote the spring game record books in Lincoln? Freeman played against much of the #1 defense with a patchwork offensive line. Coffman threw the ball accurately in spring, but isn't much of a physical presence at this point in time.
I don't believe it will be long before Freeman gets his sprint times in to start practicing. I also wouldn't buy into the idea that players who don't get their sprints done don't practice at all. The fact that Freeman has to make the same time in three, 300-yd sprints as the rest of the backs and receivers isn't easy. He'll get it done, and get back into practice.
Greg Morrow Aug 05 07
Matt
You won't have wait long to see how Quarterback & Co. has progressed in Prince's system, when they come calling on Auburn. That is a game I want to see! A nice, doable challenge, since Auburn doesn't get too fancy- pretty basic WCO style offense and speed on defense.
Don't look for a W, but if K.St. can hold up physically, that should portend a bowl eligible season.
But yeah, I'd be concerned about Freeman's commitment. Being in top notch shape, is about the least of what's expected. His career potential isn't the only thing at stake, with your program.
Matt Aug 05 07
Greg,
It ought to be a very defensive battle. The nice thing about this game is that Auburn just plain does not blow opponents out. K-State's defense will keep them in the game throughout.
Every person I know that has seen Freeman in person is convinced that he has maintained a low body fat percentage. The fact is that it's going to be hard for any 260# person to run a 300-yard shuttle in under 50 seconds, three times. It'll get done.
doombob Aug 06 07
300 yard shuttle in 50 seconds? I could do that in my SLEEP! Or is it in my DREAMS? One thing about Ron Prince is that he seems to use the media to motivate and/or embarass his players into doing better and working harder. I'm telling you that other Big 12 teams most definately have similar situations with someone on the squad, but K St. is the only one you're going to hear about. I'm not a big fan of that type of thing, but since it's K St. I don't really care.
Jimbob Aug 06 07
I'm always amazed when people bash a coach when he speaks positive before the games are played. he has to say something and every coach from jockless pony leaguers to the NFL play to win as a team goal. KSST can conceivably win all 6 home games and two on the road if not three on the road. If they do then it'll be b/c of what Prince and his staff has done with his talent. the talent level has been a little lean after the run Snyder had