33 days until kickoff.

The two things that this team has going for them is that they are returning the #1 punt return team in the nation and QB Josh Freeman. 

Ladies and Gents, I give you......

The Kansas State Wildcats

2007 Season: 5-7, 3-5 Conf

2008 Season: 5-7, 1-7 Conf

Highlights: The 3-0 shootout in their spring game didn't WOW! anyone, but you should expect bigger things from this Wildcat team.  QB Freeman has more experience and I expect the defense to be much improved given the infusion of juco talent that Ron Prince signed.  Eleven of 19 signees were on the defensive side of the ball.  Add that to solid punting and punt return teams and outscoring opponents 122 - 69 in the 1st qtr last year, all you need to win championships is field position, a favorable schedule and ball control. 

Lowlights:  With the returning offensive line, the rushing game should improve from it's sickly 83rd in the nation last year.  Discipline.  The Wildcats were penalized 209 yards more than their opponents last year.  No signs of that improving any time soon.  Field position.  It amazed me last year how their special teams were so schizophrenic.  On the one hand they had awesome punt return and punt coverage (1st and 8th respectively) but on the other hand their kick return team was ranked 90th. 

Keys to Success:  Field position in both punting and kicking game.  Defense wins championships.  Grind it out on offense. 


The Games
Aug 30 North Texas - W (The darling of the Big 12 schedulers comes through again.)
Sept 6 Montana State - W ( This would have been an L if they had kept Fresno State in this spot)
Sept 17 at Louisville - W
Sept 27 at UL Lafayette - W 
Oct 4 at Texas Tech -L
Oct 11 at Texas A&M - W
Oct 18th at Colorado - L
Oct 25 Oklahoma - L
Nov 1 at Kansas - L
Nov 8 at Missouri - L
Nov 15 Nebraska - L
Nov 22 Iowa State  - L

Ron will need a lot more than a hug when this season is over.  Can you say new job?