Big 12 Football - 2021 Kansas State Wildcats Preview
Our Kansas State Wildcats preview 2021 observes that last year, coming off a successful 2019 season that saw the Cats go 8-5 and earn a bowl bid, this team disintegrated. The 2020 season started well, as Kansas State was 4-1 in their first five. But then five straight losses followed, and the Wildcats ended up 4-6 overall and 4-5 in the Big 12. KSU finished seventh in the conference and out of bowl contention. Neither side of the ball was working well with the offense performing a bit better than the D. Points per game tells it all, as the Wildcats averaged 26.6 PPG while they allowed opponents 32.2 PPG.
Kansas State Offense
Quarterback Skylar Thompson returns for his sixth season. Last year, this team was on a roll when in the third game he suffered a season-ending injury to his shoulder. Thompson is a solid pocket passer who can also sneak it into the end zone. He comes to this season with over 5,000 passing and 1,000 rushing yards. Running back Deuce Vaughn, a sophomore, ran for 675 yards on 123 carries. He averaged 5.2 YPA while scoring seven times.
Along with being Kansas State’s top rusher, Vaughn was their most productive pass catcher. In 2020, he grabbed 25 passes for 434 yards while averaging 17.4 YPC and scoring two times. Junior wideout Malik Knowles comes back after making 13 catches for 204 yards and three touchdowns. The rest of the receiving group is thin. Most of the starting line is back, which should help an offense that suffers from a lack of depth.
Kansas State Wildcats Preview 2021 - Defense
Top front man Wyatt Hubert and his 8.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL, and five QBH is gone. It’s hoped that Charlotte transfer Timmy Horne can be a difference-maker at DT. Five D-line starters do come back. The linebacking unit will be helped by Utah State transfer Eric Munoz. This group has experience, but not one starter returns.
On this side of the ball, the deep backs are the best unit. Junior Ekow Boye-Doe started last season at corner, while Jahron McPherson was the team’s strong safety. Both are back. Last season, Boye-Doe topped the Wildcats with seven PBU and McPherson led the club with 54 tackles. He also recorded three PBU and two INTs.
Specialists
Our Kansas State Wildcats preview 2021 likes the return team a lot. Over the course of his career, Phillip Brooks has notched three punt returns for scores. He’ll also bring back kickoffs with Knowles. Punter Ty Zenter is solid. However, placekicker Blake Lynch needs to be replaced. Zenter could cover field goals. Last season, he handled both kickoffs and punts.
Kansas State Wildcats Preview 2021 - Projection
Head coach Chris Klieman starts his third season with the Cats. In his first 18 games, the team went 12-6. In his final five, they’re 0-5. Our Kansas State Wildcats preview 2021 asks which Klieman will show up this season? There’s hope, as Kansas State sees a wealth of talent return and key transfers come in. However, their schedule is not kind. This season will be a real test for Klieman and company.
Big 12 Football - Kansas State Wildcats 2021 - Predictions:
Seventh Place - Big 12
Guaranteed Rate Bowl vs. Nebraska