Kansas St Wildcats
2010 Record: 7-6
2010 Bowl Result: Lost Pinstripe Bowl 36-34 to Syracuse
2010 Against the spread: 6-7
2010 over/under: 10-3
Returning Starters: 13 (6 offense, 7 defense)

Throughout August we are releasing pre-season previews for all the major college teams.  Our College Football Handicappers are doing plenty of research to make sure we release  winners every week during the upcoming season.

Last season Kansas St was 7-6 and ended the season with a controversial loss to Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee  Stadium. Kansas St scored with 1:13 to go in the fourth quarter on a 30 yard touchdown catch by Adrian Hilburn to pull within 2 points. He saluted the crowd and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct, which pushed the 2 point conversion back to the 17. The Wildcats missed it and lost 36-34. This year Coach Bill Snyder returns 13 starters and K-State could be a dark horse for the Big 12 conference title.

Here is a look at Kansas St on offense, defense, special teams, and alook at their schedule.

Offense

Last season Kansas st relied heavily on running back Daniel Thomas, now with the Dolphins in the NFL. They would only pass when necessary with quarterback Carson Coffman who is also gone. The Wildcats averaged 379 yards a game last season which was #62 in the nation. The rushing game averaged 199.7 yards a game which was 23rd in FBS football. They scored 33.9 points a game which was #22 in the country.

This season Kansas St will rely even more on the running game with the departure of Coffman. The Wildcats only threw for 179 yards a game alst year but they didn’t turn the ball over much last season. Juniors Collin Klein and JUCO transfer Justin Tuggle will split time at quarterback. Klein only threw 18 passes last season but was the team’s second leading rusher with 76 carries for 432 yards and 6 touchdowns. Last year at Blinn College, Tuggle  had over 2,700 combined passing and rushing yards and 29 scores. He is probably a better all-around quarterback than Klein but the two will split time. Senior Sammuel Lamur is very quick and has great size at 6’4″ and 221 lbs. There are rumors he might move to wide receiver just so the Wildcats can utilize his size and speed.

Sophomore Bryce Brown transferred from Tennessee after Lane Kiffin left for USC along with his brother Arthur, a linebacker. Bryce will replace Thomas, but it won’t be easy to replace Thomas’s 1,585 yards and 19 touchdowns. Just on talent and skill alone he might be one of the best backs in the nation, but there are questions about his attitude and work ethic. Sophomore John Hubert and redshirt freshman DeMarcus Robinson will also get significant carries. Junior Braden Wilson is the fullback and is one of the best blockers in the conference.

Kansas St loses their top three receivers from last year including Thomas. The leading receiver is junior Chris Harper. Harper had 25 catches, 330 yards, and 4 touchdowns last year. The rest of the wideouts are either freshmen or are returning from injury. Sophomore Torell Miller moves from safety to wide receiver. Tramaine Thompson and Broderick Smith were great in the first half of last season before both were injured midway through the season. Sheldom Smith and Curry Sexton will also see some action at receiver. Junior Travis Tannahill and sophomore Andre McDonald will split time at tight end.

The offensive line only returns 2 starters, left tackle Manase Foketi and right tackle Clyde Aufner. The line was great at run blocking but struggled in pass protection last year.

Defense

The defense struggled last year especially against the run. Kansas St gave up 450 yards a game, including 235.7 yards rushing per game. Both were ranked in triple digits in FBS football. The run defense was the second worst in the country.  The pass defense was #52 with only 214.3 passing yards a game. The Wildcats gave up 29.1 points a game last year.

The defense will improve led by safeties Tysyn Hartman and Ty Zimmerman. Linebacker Arthur Brown, brother of running back Bryce, transferred from Miami and will help shore up the run defense.  The Wildcats need to establish a pass rush and stop the run better or it will be another middling season in Manhattan.

Special Teams

Junior Anthony Cantele takes over as the kicker. He was one for two on field goal tries last year but mostly handled kickoffs.

Punter Ryan Doerr returns after a brilliant year last year where the Wildcats punting game was ranked #11 in the country. Doerr had a 41.3 yards per punt average and forced 35 fair catches. He also put 17 punts inside the 20 and only 2 into the end zone.

John Hubert will return kicks after he averaged 19 yards per return last season. Thompson and Hartman will split the punt return duties.

Schedule

Kansas St hosts Eastern Kentucky and Kent St before traveling to Miami to play the Hurricanes for their three non-conference games. In conference, K-State gets Baylor, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Iowa St at home. The Wildcats travel to Texas Tech, Kansas, Oklahoma St, and Texas. Kansas St should win 7 or 8 games with that schedule.

Betting Trends

Kansas St was 6-7 against the spread last year including 3-4 at home and 3-3 on the road. With such a high-powered offense and an awful defense, it is no surprise that the over was 10-3 last season including 4-3 at home and 6-0 on the road.

Game to play Kansas St

October 22, Kansas St travels to in-state rival Kansas. Last season in Manhattan, The Wildcats mauled them 59-7. Though you will probably have to lay double digit points, I think K-State beats their rivals again as Kansas will struggle to stop them on offense or score themselves.

Game to bet Against Kansas St

October 29, Kansas St hosts mighty Oklahoma. If the Wildcats don’t shore up their defense it could get ugly.

Check out our college football odds page for teh best odds on every game.