A VERY early look at 2011 (Defense)

Whilst running on the treadmill the other morning and watching a 2010 KSU game on TIVO (I think it was the KU game), I was thinking of what could be of the 2011 K-State football team.

You know who I like A LOT and am glad he'll be back in 2011? David Garrett. This guy can flat out play. From corner blitzes to coverage, this guy was DA BOMB in 2010.

At safety, here's to seeing #2 and #23 on the sidelines while Ty Zimmerman (Freshman All American) and Tanner Burns take over. Sprinkle in ELamur a few downs, but PLEASE leave Hartman off the field. Toasted Hartman is this guys nickname.

At linebacker, back is Hrebek. While not all that athletic, he DOES seem to have a nack to get to the ball carrier (when he went down with his injury in 2010, the run defense suffered). Arthur Brown will be in there HOPEFULLY playing to what everyone hopes he will be. And true freshman (in 2010) Tre Walker needs to add about 15 lbs in the off season.

Up front, Ray Kibble will be back on the inside and hopefully Javonta Boyd learned a ton while redshirting in 2010. The need for 2 more guys to rotate is critical. Raphael Guidry is listed as a Junior on a website, so that will help (a little).

On the end, Brandon Harold will be back, and (fingers crossed) Adam Davis gets healthy. Just like on the inside, at end there is a need for 2 others to step up.

A look back... and CU

Well, K-State beat Texas once again (seems only natural for THAT to happen; if we could do that every year from now on with the new Big X next year). Then went down to MU and got beat... well Carson "Division II" Coffman did a bang up job with his fumbles.

Now it's on to Colorado to play the Buffaloes for K-State's last ever Big XII game.

Dan Hawkins FINALLY got run out of town. All it took was a complete meltdown of his CU team in Lawrence to get him fired. And that sucks for K-State.

If Hawkins was still the coach of CU, I'd say the chances of K-State coming out of Boulder with a win was around 90%. Now the Buffs are playing a little more inspired football (see last week's win against ISU).

I do see the Cats winning this game. If K-State's defense can get any sort of pressure on Cody Hawkins @ QB, this could be an easy win. K-State WILL score points. They did it against Texas' defense and Mizzou's defense.

Run with Klein and Thomas, then hit some long play action passes.

KSU: 34
CU:21

Baylor and OSU

Well, I was somewhat right about the Baylor. But didn't expect the Bears to set an offensive record for yards against the Cats. Wow. Just wow. Chris Cosh... you sure are doing a bang up job with the defense.

Now it's OSU with their high-powered offense. At least their best WR got in trouble and might not play against KSU. There's something to believe in b/c the KSU defense will more than likely not get fixed before Saturday and will get torched once again.

But I will be in attendance to see this gem of a game.

I see it now:
OSU 45
KSU 21

KU game PLUS upcoming outlook

Wow, just wow on the KU game. That certainly was a fun game to watch and one I never saw coming. I figured KU had some fight in 'em, but no, they didn't.

It's good to be 5-1 going into the rest of the season, but don't get too comfortable just yet. K-State is about to enter a damn hard part of their schedule.

Baylor this Saturday. This isn't the Bears of old. Their QB (Griffin) is a stud and can run the ball (see what Taylor Martinez did to the Cats a few weeks back). This game is gonna be ugly for the Wildcats. In order to stop Baylor's offense, they have to stop their zone read. I see it... KSU 13, Baylor 37.

Then it's (now) undefeated Oklahoma State in Manhattan. Talk about THE surprise team in the Big XII. I thought they'd be at the bottom of the south division this year with all they had to replace. IF they beat the Huskers in Stillwater this week, they'll still be undefeated coming into Manhattan. Don't like this one either for the Cats... OSU 42, KSU 17.

Then it's on to the team that K-State OWNS; the Texas Longhorns. K-State won't own the Horns this year. UT just beat the Huskers in Lincoln. UT will do the same to the Cats... they're just too fast. UT 24, KSU 10.

Then KSU goes to Columbia to take on another surprising team in MU. Still undefeated and plays #1 OU in Columbia Saturday. MU's defense is STRONG, but offense isn't as explosive as past years. Cats lose this one too... KSU 7, MU 24.

Will Dan Hawkins still be the coach of the Buffaloes when K-State heads to Colorado? Look into the crystal ball... "Not Likely" comes up. But can K-State win this game to get them to bowl eligibility? I'll persobally be in Boulder for this one. I see it... KSU 27, CU 14.

North Texas... well, there's a certain "W" with this game. They're the worst team in Division I.

Sunflower Showdown 2010

Well, here it is again. The KU vs K-State football game. Both teams coming off blowout losses. Both embarassed. KU by Baylor and K-State by NU. So, at least someone has to win the game. Whomever loses the game... it's gonna be a rough end to the 2010 season.

Let me say this... NU is pretty damn good. We'll see how Texas does against the Huskers on Saturday. But in the meantime, I think K-State DOES get the "W" in Lawrence. But it will be tough.

The last Bill Snyder coached them that won on the road... 2005 against Marshall. OUCH!

So that does worry me - that the game is in Lawrence.

KSU: 28
KU: 21

NU Week!!

Well, it's Husker week and not as much time to wait for the game with the National ESPN audience on Thursday night.

Both teams are 4-0. Huskers are ranked #6 in the nation while the Cats are right outside the Top 25. The Huskers are coming off their worst game of the year against a Div II team; the Cats squeaked by a fiesty UCF team (and SHOULD have lost).

The NU defense is S O L I D. At first glance, they're better than the UCF defense who pretty much shut down the K-State offense until the 4th Quarter.

The K-State "bend don't break" defense will allow the Husker running game to get going early and if/when NU gets the lead, the 'Skers will not have to throw the ball all that often.

Bad feeling about this one even though it should be a great atmosphere for the game in Manhattan.

NU: 24
KSU: 6

UCF

BIG test this weekend vs. Central Florida. With their freshman QB Godfrey as a true running (dual threat) QB, it could cause more trouble than Arnaud did for the defense.

Not too worried about the KSU offense vs UCF defense. I think with DT running the ball, it'll be fine. But can the K-State defense return to LYNCH MOB-like?

K-State doesn't hold UCF to big plays, but do just enough to win this game to get to 4-0.

UCF: 24
KSU: 34

Farmageddon Afterthought... and CFU

Well, I mentioned Payton Kirk in the last blog writeup and he goes out and knocks Arnaud out of the game for a few minutes with his tackle.

So now I will mention Brandon Harold... he will injure the CFU QB.

Central Florida Knights. Might be a letdown game for the Cats. I read on a message board that their fans are worried about what KSU (see D. Thomas) is going to do with their run defense. Apparently their not that strong against the run.

RUN FOREST RUN!

Getting a win to get to 4-0 would be HUGE for this team. With only two more wins to get bowl eligible, that'd be sweet.

North Texas is pretty much a gimme at the end of the year, so there would be the 5th win. So just would need one other win (I'm looking at you KU, Baylor, Oklahoma State).

ISU vs KSU... Farmageddon II

If K-State had any sort of defense, this game would be a good old fashioned blow out. I trust that K-State's offense will get their 30+ points with the running of Thomas and the playaction with Coffman against the weak front 7 of ISU.

Problem is the running of Arnaud and Robinson. They'll get their yards. When Payton Kirk is playing on the inside of that D-Line...

ISU: 21
KSU: 37

Just a thought on ISU...

K-State is in trouble if they can't defend the zone read that ISU runs. If ISU gets a lead and continues to RUN the ball, KSU is in trouble.

Of course if K-State gets up by 10-14 points, I like the odds of a win for the Cats. Arnaud is a horrific passer.

Too early for a prediction, but if I had to, on this Tuesday, I'd say this:

ISU: 24
KSU: 31

Missouri State

I was pretty good at the UCLA prediction (except the Brod yards). I guess he needs the ball thrown to him to get those yards (see Carson Coffman).

MO State comes into Manhattan for their beating tomorrow night.

Missouri State: 10
Kansas State: 56

I'm hoping that Collin Klein and Sam Lamur get into this game and show some things. Also hoping Daniel Thomas gets all of his carries in the 1st half (after a 175+ yard half) and lets the backups get some work.

For that matter, here's to hoping the 2nd and 3rd team get into the game at the start of the 3rd Quarter.

Game 1: UCLA

Time for the prediction. Like every week during the football season, I always start out the week with one feeling towards the upcoming game, only to have my mind changed towards the end of the week.

Earlier this week I was confident in the Cats to get a "W" on Saturday against UCLA. Now, I'm not so confident. Perhaps I don't want to be let down too hard if the Cats do lose tomorrow.

I still see the Cats winning the game in a close one.

Daniel Thomas does get his 100+ yards in the game, but the big prediction is Brod Smith will have over 140 yards receiving and 2 TD catches.

UCLA: 24
KANSAS STATE: 28

2010 Season

With just over a week and a half until the Cats play UCLA in their opener, let's take a quick look at the Cats for 2010.

Offense: The battle is still going on between Coffman, Klien and Lamur for the QB position. Snyder will go with the QB that won't lose a game, rather than win a game (see Roberson, Bishop). That person is Coffman. With a decent fullback in Wilson and an All Big XII rb in Thomas, along with an experienced O-Line, Coffman will be counted on to run the offense.

Throw in unexperienced, but talented WRs and the offense will be the bright side of the ball for the Wildcats.

If the Cats had a QB with some sort of talent they would be looking at a Big XII North title. Unfortunately, they don't. Coffman will play with extreme caution and try not to do anything to lose a game. Instead of playing with some sort of reckless abandonment (and Sammuel Lamur might do).

Here's to hoping Coffman does something not to screw up a game, but enough to have someone else in there.

Defense: Brandon Harold is back. And that's HUGE. No way this kid takes a step back from how he played 2 years ago. After sitting out the majority of 2009 and taking a step back and looking at his entire situation as a student athlete, he's going to be a terror @ D-End. The rest of the line, however, is inexperienced.

At linebacker, it's a whole lot of trouble. Talent level is at a "1" and could be exposed in the opener with UCLA's running back.

In the defensive secondary, I honestly don't believe Josh Moore was "all that". But he did have experience, which counts for something. At least the Cats safeties are pretty good. Too bad Emmanuel Lamur seems to shy away from hitting a bit. Tysyn Hartman is pretty damn good, so that's good.

Special Teams: With Coach Snyder @ the head coach, it's a GUARANTEE this will be another good year with the special teams. If friggin' Josh Cherry doesn't get all friggin' nervous and start the year slow, he should be solid.

Season Outlook: If KSU can beat UCLA in the opener, it should be a good season and I see 7-8 wins. If the Cats take an "L" in the opener, it could spiral into another 5 win season.

I do see KSU getting a slim victory against UCLA and going 8-4 on the year.

Elite 8! KSU vs Butler

Well, after watching what was perhaps one of the greatest NCAA tournament games EVER, I am glad I have a day off from it -- probably not gonna watch games 2nite.

Tomorrow... 3:30pm... CBS... IT'S BACK ON!

Butler has won 23 straight games and just beat a damn good Syracuse team. With that, I sure am glad K-State is playing Butler and not Syracuse (and their good zone defense).

I have a good feeling on this game (don't know why, but I do). It's going to be a full house full of friends and family and downing Blue Moon.

K-State 69
Butler 61

Sweet 16!! K-State vs Xavier

Yeah, KSU played Xavier back in December at the OOD, but this might be a dangerous thing. If the Cats have it in their minds that since they beat them already, it'll be a cakewalk come Thursday, they're gonna be in trouble.

A huge positive for the Cats is the emergence of players other than Pullen and Clemente (although those two were huge in the first two games). Inside, Curtis Kelly has been outstanding, as well as Wally Judge.

K-State 81
Xavier 71

And another prediction, KU fans are gonna be hurting even more whilst the Cats go deeper and deeper in the tournament.

Looking back @ OSU (and ahead to Baylor)

Didn't see that coming (OSU game). K-State put together their BEST game of the year. And like I have preached for months, Samuels and Sutton FINALLY were agressive and it paid off dearly for the Cats. Samuels had his career high last night.

Pullen was hot and Clemente added his; and Kelly played quite well too.

Now it's on to Baylor tonight. This SHOULD be a great game. Like every K-State fan is thinking today -- if they play tonight like they did last night, they'll come out on top.

I see it:

Baylor 79
Kansas State 87

*Look for me behind one of the baskets -- I'm gonna be in the second row.

Well shit

Guess I was WAY OFF on what was to happen in Manhattan last Saturday night. A loss to ISU?! WTF?

Talk about NO momentum going into the tournament (plus having played poorly the last few games -- since the TT game).

Thursday might be bad for the Cats if they face OSU (like they will).

ISU @ KSU

Ummm, senior night. Last game in Bramlage for Clemente, Colon and Merriweather (sp). Coming off of a bad loss to KU.

K-State wins BIG in this one to get ready for the Big XII Tournament (which I will be at on Thursday and Friday).

ISU 65
KSU 87

KSU @ KU

Well, this is going to be interesting. #5 KSU @ #2 KU in Allen Fieldhouse. And yeah, not on ESPN -- what the flink?!

Senior night for KU; Sherron Collins' last game in Allen (as well as Cole Aldrich); they haven't lost at home for 60+ games; it's for the outright Big XII title.

I'd like to think KSU has a chance, & I suppose they do b/c this is the best K-State team since 1988 and KU's team isn't as good as past years.

But I have to go with the odds on this one.

KU 83
KSU 71

MU @ KSU

Saturday night in the Octagon of Doom... revenge on the minds of the Cats... a top 2 finish in the Big XII... a potential #1 seed in the NCAA Tournament.

Cats win this one!

Continued great play from the guards (Pullen and Clemente) and a big game out of Curtis Kelly is abound.

MU 78
KSU 85

KSU @ TT

I believe I had read that K-State has never won down in Lubbock since the inception of the Big XII. I do remember some past games where K-State was beaten pretty badly when they thought they'd come out with a "W" (I think it was the Beasley year).

The 2009-10 Cats get that 1st win down there tonight. It'll be a close one, but I see a KSU win. I'd love to see Clemente and Pullen continue their offensive onslaught, with Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels adding the inside punch (with a dose of Dom Sutton's new-found outside shots).

KSU 78
TT 71

KSU @ OU

After that scare Wednesday at home against NU, I'm pretty flarping sure that Coach Frank had the Cats working their butts off yesterday and today. So with that close win on wednesday, I'm saying it's highly beneficial for the Cats come Saturday.

OU just got beat by Colorado (albeit in Boulder) and I've seen OU play this year (got pounded by OSU).

Cats win another road game...

KSU 69
OU 54

KSU @ ISU

Just like the NU game last Tuesday night... quick and easy.

K-State wins by 12.

KSU @ NU

Quick and easy.

K-State wins this one by 15.

#2 KU @ #11 KSU

Well, another Sunflower Showdown in the OCTAGON OF DOOM. Actually have a good feeling about this one (and it pains me to actually write this). While KU hasn't really played any of the upper teams in the Big XII on the road, this is a BIG test for them. The place is gonna be L O U D!

If that friggin' Sherron (nice name) Collins has a big game once again, it'll only confirm my extreme hatred for him at the levels of other KU ex-players (see Turgeon, Rex Walters).

KU: 69
KSU: 76

*BTW, College Gameday in town. Pretty farking sweet!

#1 Texas @ #9 K-State... 2nite!

Octagon of Doom will be in FULL FORCE tonight! Tough, very tough game with UT's big men. I actually have a bad feeling about this one. I say it'll be close until the end, but K-State will foul and UT will hit free throws...

#1 Texas: 83
#9 KSU: 74

K-State's big men (looking at you Curtis Kelly) needs to be HUGE (so to speak) 2 nite.

MU Game (in Columbia)

I forgot to post b4 the MU game down in Columbia on Saturday. I actually thought that Cats would win a close on, but just didn't happen. Fouls hurt the Cats in this one.
But up next is aTm on Tueasday night. K-State wins by 17.