2009 Kansas State Wildcats Football Preview
Article by: James Kemplay
Published: July 27, 2009
Overview:
Kansas State this year decided to revert back to its old ways by bring legendary coach Bill Snyder, and Cat fans hope he can bring back the winning ways K-State had become accustomed to. Snyder's return to Manhattan should give this down program a huge motivational lift. Not only is Snyder back but he has put together a staff that is typical to that at K-State.
Offense:
The Kansas State offense lost its talented QB Josh Freeman to the NFL and must find a replacement. Returning QB Carson Coffman who completed 61 percent of his passes last year in mop-up duty should have the inside track, but newcomer Junior college transfer Daniel Thomas is a dual-threat signal caller that fits Snyder's offensive scheme's. Not only is the QB spot up in the air, the Wildcats will need to find a dependable running back. Lamark Brown who led the team in rushing in '08 is back and gives the Cats a intriguing play-maker out of the backfield. Out side of the question marks there is some stability every where else. Raising Star receiver Brandon Banks who hauled in 1,050 yards last year will team with tight end Jeron Mastrud to give who ever the Quarterback is two very dependable pass catchers.
Defense:
On Defense K-State will be switching to the 3-4 and with returning end Brandon Harold and stud Virgina transfer Jeffery Fitzgerald the Wildcats should be solid up front. The main question is can Snyder find linebackers that fit the system. The defense should be led by senior linebacker John Houlik and Junior Corner back Josh Moore who led the team in tackles in '08
What can make this season a success?
Daniel Thomas needs to beat out Coffman for the quarterback spot as he has the skill sets to excel in Snyder's offensive. If Thomas can prove to be a solid starting quarterback and with the schedule in their corner, K-State could be a bowl team in '09.
What can make this season a disaster?
K-State takes even a bigger step back and Snyder's old coaching ways don't blend well in the new spread, high flying Big 12. With the schedule the Wildcats should be a bowl team and anything less would be a failure to many fans in Manhattan.
Prediction: 7-5 - Everything could hang on 2 importation games, at UCLA (9/19) and Colorado in Manhattan (10/24)
Schedule:
9/5 - UMass
9/12 - at Louisiana Lafayette
9/19 - at UCLA
9/26 - Tennessee Tech
10/3 - Iowa @Arrowhead
10/10 - at Texas Tech
10/17 - Texas A&M
10/24 - Colorado
10/31 - at Oklahoma
11/7 - Kansas
11/14 - Missouri
11/21 - at Nebraska
Key Departures: DE Ian Campbell, QB Josh Freeman, WR Deon Murphy, G Gerard Spexarth, LB Reggie Walker
Key Returning Players: CB Joshua Moore, DE Brandon Harold, WR Brandon Banks, TE Jeron Mastrud, RB Lamark Brown