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Three Things to Know about Kansas State: An Un-Snyderlike Team

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6 years ago

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The 5-5 Kansas State Wildcats have been on the wrong end of a few bounces this year, and a date with the Pokes and Farmageddon stand between them and bowl eligibility.

The Snydercats are always a scare for the Pokes when they roll into town with the last three visits ending up Pokes by 2, Pokes by 4 and Pokes by 7 (in overtime). It’s stranger things in 2017 though when you see reports out of Manhattan saying things like this:

How is that even possible since they’ve been doing the same thing since 1989?

W(O)eful ‘Cats

Much has been made of Bill Snyder’s success with a returning quarterback and unfortunately, injury has robbed them of another one of those tremendous seasons. The injury bug has bitten returning starter Jesse Ertz and backup Alex Delton – both appear at best questionable for Saturday.

Kansas State is on their third quarterback due to injuries. Breathe. After second half-heroics in Lubbock a couple weeks back, freshman Skyler Thompson was swallowed by the moment against West Virginia last week and threw an ill-timed interception (aren’t they all?) to squander a late go-ahead drive.

But regardless of record, statistical performance and talent level, you can count on Kansas State having a productive run game. And boy, can it be frustrating. Ask the Sooners after they surrendered a blitzkrieg 268-yard performance to the K-State ground game.

If college football kept track of the number of runs between the tackles, Kansas State would perenially be tied with a number of SEC and Big Ten schools for the honor. The time of possession concerns that keep the ball out of the Cowboys’ hands come into play with the Cats and the plodding rush tends to lead to fewer turnovers (second in the league in TO margin).

But regardless of what Bill says, he knows who they are and this Wildcat doesn’t change his stripes.

They’re a bad-to-average passing attack (league’s least productive) led by a freshman who struggles to hit open guys. Look for them to throw some high percentage passes to help him recover from his tough first start last week (13 for 26 for 159 yards, 0 TDs and 2 INTs).

If the Pokes can contend with the solid near-200 yards per game rushing attack, you’re nipping the problem in the bud. Fullbacks and tight ends rendered ineffective lead to “Friends in Low Places” sung in Stillwater. Prepare accordingly, Glenn.

Attack the Wildcats

Since the Texas defense flummoxed the Pokes in October, the Cowboys are averaging 201 yards on the ground over the last three games, and the thunder has rolled out of the Cowboy backfield onto the scoreboard.

You have to think that if Justice is served, a wounded K-State offense (until they sub in their third-string receiver at QB) won’t be able to keep up. That may be easier said than done with talented players up front.

Will Geary is a top-shelf defensive tackle, Trent Tanking is a solid, gritty walk on-turned-captain linebacker and D.J. Reed is your prototype athlete/lockdown corner in the secondary. They’re pretty solid against the run, holding almost half of their opponents to less than 100 yards a game. This will be the challenge for the Pokes on Saturday.

Talent is there, but the Cats have really struggled against the pass this year, giving up a league-high 367 yards a game through the air. You can bet they’ll have that extra guy over the top for James Washington.

With a thriving running game and a defense ripe for the picking through the air, there’s real potential for the Pokes to get out ahead in this one.

Turnover Battle

No. 1 rule about playing Kansas State – don’t let the Purple Wizard make you beat yourself. Dana Holgorsen didn’t get the memo and snuck out of Manhattan with a win last week despite giving up four turnovers.

Somehow, the Wildcats weren’t able to capitalize (there were only three total points scored in the second half last week).

West Virginia turned the ball over four times in the first half and then went scoreless in the second half. K-State had big plays on special teams and on defense. All the ingredients were there for an ugly, vintage Wildcats victory. But it didn’t matter. [Wichita Eagle]

And that’s what makes this team so unusual – with the furthest right-wing offense in the league and the crispest special teams unit, it’s a team that historically thrives on eking out the advantage in the margins before you realize your sloppiness in all phases has doomed you.

They’re about 66 percent of that right now with advantageous special teams (excellent returner in D.J. Reed – first in punt returns, second in kick returns), a decent defense (solid against the run, porous against the pass) but an offense incapable of making you pay for your transgressions.

If the Cowboys can keep the fumbles and high throws to a minimum, a classic Snyder offense will have to light their own fireworks to keep up.

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