The Wildcats had to do a little rebuilding last year, switched quarterbacks a couple of times, and still managed to win eight games, including a bowl. Head coach Bill Snyder is one of the best, considering the job he's done, again, with this program, but one has to wonder how much longer he'll remain on the sidelines in Manhattan.
Kansas State will probably make a little noise again this season – they'll have plenty of chances – but again, like last year, they'll have to deal with considerable personnel turnover. Do the 'Cats have enough to make a run at another Big 12 title? K State is seemingly always underestimated, but almost always seems to beat expectations.
Kansas State Odds to Win Big 12: 10/1 at Sportsbook
Kansas State Odds to Win College Football Championship: 100/1 at Sportsbook
Kansas State Regular Season Win Total: 7.5 at Sportsbook
Kansas State started 2-4 last year, with an upset loss at home to FCS North Dakota State and consecutive tough losses at Oklahoma State and to Baylor. But the schedule eased up a bit, and K State won five of its last six, the only loss coming against Oklahoma. The Wildcats then beat a depleted Michigan in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl to finish 8-5 both SU and ATS.
Kansas State is now 29-10 SU, 26-12 ATS over the last three seasons. Talk about underrated.
This year the Wildcats only return 11 starters, third-fewest in the league, but one more than they had last year. Six starters are back on offense, including senior QB Jake Waters and WR/KR Tyler Lockett, but they'll have to replace last year's top two rushers and three along the offensive line. And just five starters return on defense.
This season's schedule does the 'Cats few favors. They have to play five Big 12 road games, with trips to Oklahoma, TCU and Baylor, and two of their four conference home games come against Texas and Oklahoma State. They also welcome Auburn into Snyder Stadium for what should be a very interesting early-season test.
Does Coach Snyder have one more trick up his sleeve? Maybe. But with so many holes to fill, and the tough slate, he might not be able to play it this year.
Big 12 Championship Odds at Sportsbook as of August 5
Oklahoma 5/7
Baylor 5/2
Texas 15/2
Kansas State 10/1
Oklahoma State 10/1
TCU 14/1
Texas Tech 20/1
West Virginia 66/1
Iowa State 100/1
Kansas 100/1
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The Kansas State Wildcats were far and away the best team in the Big 12 last season, putting together a sensational 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS campaign to win the Big 12 crown. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, many key pieces from last year’s team need to be replaced, making a repeat performance a longshot.
Odds to Win Big 12: +1600 at Sportsbook
Regular Season Win Total: 8 at Sportsbook
If not for a shocking loss to Baylor last season, the Kansas State Wildcats would have been playing in the BCS National Championship Game, and QB Colin Klein may have been the Heisman Trophy Sportsbook. But despite the disappointing loss and the one that followed in the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon, Kansas State’s 11-2 SU and 10-3 ATS campaign was nothing short of outstanding.
The loss of Klein is devastating to this offense. Klein passed for 2,641 yards and 16 touchdowns and rushed for 920 yards and 23 touchdowns. Not only was Klein the team’s emotional leader on the field, he was also the entire centerpiece of the offense. Sophomore Daniel Sams has the physical tools as a talented dual-threat quarterback to run the offense, but won’t likely be able to play the mistake-free football Klein played right out of the gate. Senior running back John Hubert returns, and should help lighten the load as Sams learns the ropes.
Even if the offense is able to keep on chugging without Klein, the defense figures to take a huge step backwards this year. The entire front seven needs to be replaced, as do two key members of the secondary. Head coach Bill Snyder always manages to get the most out of his recruits and JUCO transfers, but learning on the job is difficult, especially in a conference loaded with powerhouse offenses like the Big 12.
In all likelihood, this will be a rebuilding year for the Kansas State Wildcats. Bill Snyder has worked miracles before, but competing for a conference title with this makeshift defense and a new quarterback under center would be taking it to another level.
Big 12 Conference Odds at Sportsbook as of August 10
Oklahoma State +260
Texas +295
Oklahoma +390
TCU +395
Baylor +1500
Kansas State +1600
Texas Tech +2500
West Virginia +2500
Iowa State +4500
Kansas +10000
