K-State Q&A: Midseason football analysis, OU, DaJuan Gordon and hoops predictions
It’s time for another K-State Q&A.
Let’s dive right into your questions this week. Thanks, as always, for providing them.
The Kansas State football team has reached the midpoint of Chris Klieman’s first season as coach, so this does seem like a good time to analyze where the Wildcats sit six games into this new era.
Offense: Worse than expected. This is a hard area to judge, because I didn’t expect much from the Wildcats on offense coming into the season as they tried to replace Alex Barnes, Dalton Risner and their best two receivers. So you could argue they are what we thought they would be. But they looked great in all three of their nonconference games, so there’s some potential. The power-running game they showed against Nicholls and Bowling Green hasn’t been sustainable against Big 12 competition. Skylar Thompson has played well, and deserves mid-season MVP honors here, but the offensive line has struggled and K-State’s offense lacks playmakers.
Defense: Better than expected. There have been some ugly plays and missed tackles this season, but you can’t gripe about the results. The Wildcats are allowing 18.7 points and 347.7 yards per game. Those are good numbers. Oklahoma will offer the most difficult test of the season. Wyatt Hubert has been the unit’s best player.
Special Teams: As expected. Take away some punt-return issues from the first three games and there isn’t much to complain about. Devin Anctil has been phenomenal at punter. Blake Lynch has been solid at kicker. Malik Knowles returned a kickoff for a touchdown against Mississippi State. Jonathan Alexander had a huge blocked punt against TCU. The Wildcats are still good on special teams.
Coaching: As expected. Klieman had the Wildcats ready to go at the start of the season and pulled off an impressive road victory at Mississippi State. But he’s been out-coached against Big 12 competition. Overall, a 4-2 start is solid and probably the best fans could have hoped for. The second half of the season will define Year 1 for Klieman.
Recruiting: Better than expected. Klieman brought in some freshmen that are helping immediately this season, and he has a nice looking recruiting class taking shape for 2020.
This is a heck of a question.
On one hand, there really is no wrong answer. Deep down, the Wildcats are simply hoping to split their next two games and stay on track for bowl eligibility. So getting to choose between a win over the Big 12’s best team or a rival sounds pretty good.
On the other hand, if K-State loses to Oklahoma most fans are going to insist the Wildcats turn around and crush the Jayhawks. And if K-State beats Oklahoma, most fans are going to be furious if the Wildcats can’t back it up with a win over the Jayhawks.
The more words I type, the more I am beginning to think the Sunflower Showdown is the more important game. Maybe there is a wrong answer.
Still, I would prioritize a win against Oklahoma. Victories over top 5 teams don’t grow on trees, and the Wildcats haven’t been competitive with the Sooners in a long while. They haven’t beaten them in Manhattan since 1996.
Beating Oklahoma would make a heck of a statement. Beating Kansas would not.
They are both important games, but one would be remembered more than the other.
Can we call it a tie?
Ron Prince beat Texas late in his first season with the Wildcats back in 2006 when the Longhorns were ranked fourth. K-State fans stormed the field to celebrate and the team improved to 7-4.
A similar party would take place if K-State can upset Oklahoma on Saturday. Klieman would have his first signature victory over a conference opponent and the Wildcats would be 5-2.
It’s all of the above.
K-State could definitely be better up front. The Wildcats haven’t eclipsed 150 rushing yards since Week 2 and blocking is a big reason why. This offensive line features five seniors in the starting lineup, but there’s a difference between experience and talent. K-State’s front five has been outplayed during Big 12 games.
But their job would be made much easier if the tight ends and fullbacks helping them block did more. They could also do more if the skill players around them delivered more big gains.
Skylar Thompson was quick to leave the pocket against Oklahoma State, but he showed better poise against Baylor and TCU. The Wildcats didn’t put up many yards against the Horned Frogs, but they did have some big plays. Perhaps that is a sign of improvement.
There isn’t a sure-fire NFL Draft pick on this roster, but the Wildcats have a few players capable of extending the streak.
I imagine teams will take a close look at Scott Frantz, Nick Kaltmayer, Denzel Goolsby, Reggie Walker and Devin Anctil.
The key to holding the door open as K-State players leave the locker room and enter the field is enthusiasm.
Nick Leckey was pumped to do it last week, and it showed. He did a great job. I want more of that.
Obvious future candidates include Michael Bishop, Arthur Brown, Darren Sproles and Tyler Lockett. But if they’re just going to open the door and stand there then what’s the point?
I would rather see a lesser known former player do the job if it means he’s going to love being there.
How about an adult arcade?
I like playing old video games like X-Men, The Simpons, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat. I also like getting out of the house and drinking a beer. An adult arcade would let me do both.
You’re really missing out if you don’t have both.
No one wants to be the person without a Netflix account when their friends are all talking about the final season of BoJack Horseman.
You look just as foolish if you don’t subscribe to the Eagle/Star or check out the KC Catbackers.
With K-State basketball and football starting to overlap, I just hope I can find time to watch the new season, period.
Two things stood out for me.
1. K-State’s four newcomers all look like they should contribute this season. David Sloan is a gifted passer, Montavious Murphy and Antonio Gordon have promise inside and DaJuan Gordon is really good.
2. Late-game situations could be an adventure. Bruce Weber and his assistants were absolutely livid at some of the choices K-State players made at the end of a few scrimmage sessions. The one that bothered them the most was a three-point attempt from sophomore guard Shaun Williams. With his team trailing by two, he hoisted a three with a hand in face and 12 seconds remaining on the clock. Weber wanted him to direct the offense and lead a set play in that situation. Instead, he put up a bad shot and his team lost.
A big one.
I’m not expecting him to lead the team in scoring with Cartier Diarra and Xavier Sneed both returning, but he might not be far behind.
DaJuan Gordon is the most talented freshman Bruce Weber has coached in Manhattan. He’s also a hard worker. He can score and he can play defense. I’m expecting him to contribute at or above the same level Diarra did last season.
I am expecting Levi Stockard, Montavious Murphy and Antonio Gordon to see equal minutes this season.
The Wildcats will need all three of them inside.
Stockard might end up playing a little more than the freshmen, because he brings more experience to the court and can play alongside Murphy and Gordon at the five when Makol Mawien is on the bench.
But I like K-State’s starting five best when Murphy/Gordon are on the floor.
There are honestly lots of lineup possibilities right now. It will be fascinating to see which ones they use starting Friday in their exhibition opener.