Oklahoma State

I was pretty damn close on the Texas Tech prediction. K-State got more points that I said they would, so that's cool.
Now onto the OSU Cowboys, which I overlooked last week. They only have 2 losses on the year (at Arizona and at Texas). And they should have won the Texas game (bad call).

This team is coming into Manhattan with some good wins and some great offensive #'s. Their true freshman QB is playing for the first time on the road (in the Big XII).

Hard to doubt that K-State is going to take care of business once again. What creeps in my mind is that OSU was KSU last year with their undefeated record going into Ames and walking out with a loss. Here's to hoping this doesn't happen to KSU this year.

The Big XII's leading rusher is coming to town (Joseph Randle), so stopping the run is a huge must for the Cat defense.

This game WILL be closer than the Texas Tech game.

OSU: 27
KSU: 38

*BTW, I am going to the game and have never been so excited to see the Cats play. The last game I saw in person was the home opener of 2011. And that was non-conference shiat game.

This is a HUGE game. So I WILL be yelling the entire time OSU is on offense and WILL not have a voice on sunday. Guaranteed.

Texas Tech (in Manhattan)

Well, I was DEAD wrong about the West Virginia game (and damn glad I was). I don't know if I can doubt this team since it's lead by Collin Klein.

This Saturday is the biggest test remaining for the Wildcats for the 2012 season (save bowl game). Texas Tech comes in with one loss and ranked in the top 15. Their only loss was to Oklahoma in Lubbock 41-20. In that game, Texas Tech QB Seth Doege threw 3 interceptions and gave OU around 380 total yards, plus TT got a late TD to make the score seem more respectable.

Tech just played TCU to a 3 overtime game where they won 56-53. TCU (with their 2nd string QB) got a total of 516 yards! AND TCU turned the ball over 3 times!

K-State at home in the friendly confines of BSFS will get the "W" on Saturday. If Texas Tech pressures K-State to throw the ball on offense by putting "8 in the box", Klein will do just fine. Confidence is at the all time high for the Heisman leader. Against WVU he was 19-21. I realize that TT's defense is a whole lot stronger than WVU, but I don't believe they can totally shut down K-State's offense.

K-State's defense last week showed that they can defend a "throw-first" offense. I've heard that TT's offense isn't like the old "Air Raid" offense from Mike Leach. With Arthur Brown in the middle, I trust the D against the run (not to mention the pleasant surprise of the D-Line).

Prediction:

Texas Tech: 24
Kansas State: 45

West Virginia

H U G E game on saturday as the Cats travel to Morgantown, WV for the game of the year. west Virginia lost last week to Texas Tech in their "trap game" while the Cats got the V in Ames in their's. Had the Mountaineers won last week... DANG... this would be even bigger.

As it stands, if K-State happens to win this one, it definately places them in the drivers seat to win the Big XII AND get a shot at the National Title.

Yep... I just jinxed it.

I've been going back and forth on this game as to how it will end. A co-worker of mine who is a WV grad told me he truly believes K-State will go in and win. I guess I have had my heart stomped on way too many times to have that sort of confidence going into the game.

WV weakness is their pass defense. K-State's weakness is their passing offense. Dangit! Plus K-State's pass defense isn't all that great and WV has some pretty good passing stats with Geno Smith back behind center.

If this one was bring played in Manhattan, I'd probably be guessing a K-State win, but as it turns out, instead it's a 7p kickoff on national TV (Fox) in Morgantown.

I see a close one with WV winning.

KSU: 34
WVU: 37

ISU vs KSU (Friday B4)

Like every week, I change my mind from what I think the Cats will do. Monday I thought I-State would beat the Cats. I now believe (predict) K-State to win.

The game still frightens me, but I guess all of them do to some degree.

I think the first half will be close but Cats pull away late.

KSU: 34
ISU: 24

KU & ISU

Well, I was really damn close at guessing the score of the KU game, right? Never thought KU would get a safety against K-State (that's usually reserved for K-State to do to KU).

Don't know what the problem was with the KSU defense against KU, but was damn glad they came out in the 2nd half and corrected mistakes. The first two drives for KU were worrysome and looked like Charlie Weiss had a good gameplan. But in the end it was the same-old-same-old.

I realize it was KU defense, but damn did the KSU offense look good. Untouched TD runs by Hubert and Klein. Nice TD pass to Baby Lockett. I sure would like to see Daniel Sams throw the ball in mop-up duty, but it sure is damn fun to watch him run!

Now it's onto ISU up in Ames. If the kids didn't have a butt-locker-load of soccer games this weekend, I sure as hell would be in the stands (just as I have been for the past few KSU/ISU games in Ames). Heck, might be a good thing I am NOT going since I have seen the last two there with KSU losses (2005 and 2007). 2005 game was just PAINFUL to watch (45-17 loss) and 2007 was pretty much a drunken mess (31-20 loss).

As with most K-State games, I start the week thinking one thing is going to happen, then completely switch as I think more and more about the game.

My Monday afternoon self thinks Iowa State has a good chance at an upset of the #6 Wildcats. They just beat TCU in Fort Worth (albeit TCU was w/o their starting drunk QB). But ISU's defense is pretty damn good.

As of now (and I can and probably will change) I say:

KSU: 24
ISU: 27

A look back at OU... and looking forward to KU

Well, never saw that outcome for the OU game. Even with OU "giving" K-State points (as they say) with the turnovers, that was just a complete AWESOME game! People are talking about how it ranks up there with the 2003 Nebraska game when K-State won up there for the first time since 1968 (if memory serves). And yes, I was there.

But I do seriously hope that OU beats most of their opponents (not enough to overtake KSU somehow). I want people to say "Yep, K-State was that GOOD to go down to Norman and win."

Next up for the Wildcats is KU (hold your laughs please). This is year 1 for the Jayhawks under Coach Charlie Weis. They are coming into the game this year with a 1-3 mark, having lost their only Big XII game this year against TCU (in Lawrence).

The Jayhawks are DEFINATELY playing better than what they were churning out under Turner Gill, but that's not saying a whole lot. They were PATHETIC the last 2 years.

I wouldn't bet on Coach Snyder letting his team overlook the bad KU team coming into Manhattan for the 11a kickoff on FX. I am betting the Wildcats will be focused and get a win with a decent sized margin.

My prediction (besides PAIN for the KU team)...

KU 10
K-State 56

2012 - Game #4 (at Oklahoma)

Well, after starting the season with 3 non-conference wins, the Wildcats travel to Norman, OK for their Big XII opener. Could they play at a tougher place to start conference play?! If this game was in Manhattan, I'd say it's a fairly evenly matched game. But, if you listen to the sports people on the radio, they say "Oklahoma doesn't lose at home." Ummm, a crappy Texas Tech team beat them there in 2011. (So you're telling me there's a chance). They key is to establish the run early, and if there is any success with it, there's that one in a million chance. Another big key is the K-State secondary. They've not played all that well yet and let teams throw all over them. If D-Line can shake Laundry (what a nice first name) Jones, he becomes a much worse throwing QB (see UTEP game this year). I'd love to say the Cats will win this one, but the odds ARE stacked against them in this one (and I have had my heart crushed SO MANY TIMES when K-State plays down there). I'll say final will be: OU 42, K-State 21. *BTW, was @ K-State game @ Oklahoma in 1997 when K-State won. Actually don't remember too much about the game & trip. I blame it on the alcohol.

Game 1: Eastern Kentucky

The Colonels come into Manhattan for the first game of the year for a 6p kickoff. Their starting QB options... 2 true freshmen. Good luck with all of that.

A nearly sold out BSFS will be nuts and hungry to see their Cats start the season. In attendance, me and my 7 year old daughter. She'll be yelling along with me when EKU has the ball.

What's going to happen in the game: Collin Klien will look like a damn good QB throwing for 3 TDs and running in 2 more. K-State's RBs (Pease, Brown, Hubert, Rose) will score 4 total TDs (not saying who will get how many b/c who knows how much PT these guys are going to have).

I see a punt return for TD happening as well.

Defense will look nothing like the 2010 defense. Partly b/c of the Colonels, but partly b/c their going to be improved.

FINAL SCORE: Kansas State 55, Easten Kentucky 9

2011 Season Prediction Time (in %)

The % represents the percent chance the Cats have at winning the game.

Eastern Kentucky: 100%
Kent State: 98%
Miami: 50%
Baylor: 60%
Missouri: 45%
Texas Tech: 60%
Kansas: 95%
Oklahoma: 15%
Oklahoma State: 20%
Texas A&M: 65%
Texas: 65%
Iowa State: 90%

So you see, there are 4 gimmees (EK, KSU, KU and ISU). With home games against Baylor, MU, OU, aTm and ISU (already counted as a W), the Cats will win 2 out of 4 of those.

So that gets the Cats to a 6 win mark.

Can they beat OSU down in Stillwater. No. Can they beat UT in Austin. Yes. Can they beat Miami in Florida. Yes. Can they beat Teas Tech down in Lubbock. Yes.

Cats go 8-4 this year.

Quarterbacks 2011

Collin Klein, Sammy Lamur and Justin Tuggle. That's the choices the coaching staff has for the QB's in 2011 (I am counting Daniel Sams to redshirt).

While I saw Collin Klein do fairly well in 2010 (of course there was the Texas win with Klein running all over the Longhorn defense), here's to hoping that he does some good things in 2011. I thought early on in the Colorado game in Boulder he did some nice things throwing the ball (until injury happened).

He has some great size and speed, but I have yet to be really impressed with his passing skills, or more to the point, being able to read a defense whilst under pressure. People can point out that in the spring game he threw the ball nicely, but take in consideration he was facing the 2nd team defense (and that 2nd team defense would be beat by Washburn's offense).

SLamur is never going to be K-State's QB, so let's get this out of the way. That is unless Klein and Tuggle get injured (please no).

While Tuggle had the spring to get a start on the K-State offense, that's really not a whole lot of time to determine what he can or can't do. I'm really hoping that he steps up and pushes Klein to be a better QB, or pushes past Klein.

GRADE: C+

*FINAL: I see Klein as the #1 QB throughout the year. He'll struggle throwing the ball, but run the zone read quite well.

Huskers vs Wildcats (Wed Night)

In this tussle between the Cats and 'Skers at Memorial Stadium... err, I mean wherever the Huskers play their basketball games (Devany Center, or whatever) they are fighting for positioning in the Big XII.

These two teams are tied for the 6th spot right now.

The Cats don't play in Lincoln all that well and NU is coming off their biggest win (possibly evar) against #2 UT (who hadn't lost all season in Big XII play).

How I see it...

NU 58
KSU 54

Never been more glad to be wrong

84-68

Talk about a sweet arse game last night by the Cats. Jacob Pullen played like everyone thought he would the ENTIRE season.

Defense won this game for the Cats - they played great!

Had someone told me that Curtis Kelly and Jamar Samuels would combine for 9 points and the Cats would win, I would have been SHOCKED.

Remaining Schedule:
*vs OU
*@ NU
*vs MU
*@ UT
*vs ISU

*Have to win THREE of these (OU and ISU are gimmees); then beating NU is next easiest, then Mizzou and UT game is the hardest (but really, K-State OWNS Texas in football and basketball).

Win three of em plus a game in the Big XII Tourney and they will be in the BIG DANCE.

Big Monday... KU @ KSU

This WAS supposed to have been a HUGE game in the grand scheme of things. How things have changed.

KU is the new #1 team in the nation and KSU... well, lost to Colorado for the second time this year (how sad).

This game WILL be U G L Y! I give K-State a 0.0007% chance of winning. KU is too big for the Cats and will probably shoot 60% from the field (whilst the Cats shoot at the 28% mark).

Prediction (besides pain)...

KU 83
KSU 51

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