K-State Wildcats Q&A: Scoring tight ends, Big 12 title scenarios, basketball and more
Imagine if you could skip ahead in this college football season like it was part of a simulation on the popular video game from EA Sports.
Would you hit the fast-forward button?
Some Kansas State fans might be tempted to skip to the final game of the regular season, when the Wildcats will play one of the most meaningful Farmageddon rivalry games of all time against the Iowa State Cyclones.
That game could decide if K-State or Iowa State advance to the Big 12 championship game.
The Wildcats (7-1, 4-1 Big 12) are currently in third place in the conference standings. The Cyclones (7-0, 4-0) are undefeated.
Anything can happen in college football. Both teams could lose multiple times before they meet next month at Jack Trice Stadium. But if both teams keep winning, that game could come with high enough stakes to bring ESPN’s College Gameday to Ames.
No disrespect to any of the next three teams on K-State’s football schedule, but it will be considered a major upset if Houston, Arizona State or Cincinnati is able to beat the Wildcats over the next four weeks. One more reason to jump ahead: K-State has an idle week coming up.
This must be how Ohio State and Michigan feel in some seasons.
It shouldn’t be hard for K-State to win its next three games. Chris Klieman’s biggest challenge might be guarding against a let down while people like me are already talking about a game that is several weeks away.
Then again, maybe we don’t want to jump straight to the Iowa State game. There is a chance K-State and Iowa State will play the following week at the Big 12 championship game. And they open the 2025 season against each other in Ireland. That would be a lot of Farmageddon in a short amount of time.
Now, let’s dive into your questions. Thanks, as always, for providing them.
Does Kansas State have to “run the table” to reach the Big 12 championship game? - Andrew B. via e-mail.
No, the Wildcats can play for a Big 12 championship without finishing the regular season with an 11-1 record.
But that is certainly the simplest way forward for Chris Klieman’s team.
Fans love it when their teams are in control of their destiny. And K-State likely needs to win out to feel good about its chances of reaching Arlington, Texas.
At 11-1, the Wildcats would own head-to-head tiebreakers against Colorado and Iowa State. They would also stand a good chance of beating BYU in a multi-team tie, because K-State has played a harder Big 12 schedule.
There are other paths forward, though. If Iowa State stumbles against Texas Tech, Kansas, Cincinnati or Utah, then the Wildcats can afford a mulligan. The same is true if BYU suffers an upset against KU, Utah, Arizona State or Houston.
K-State fans may find themselves cheering for KU in certain situations at the end of the season.
Of course, K-State would need Colorado to also stub its toe to afford a loss.
In conclusion, K-State can lose one of its final four games and still win a Big 12 championship. But winning out is by far the easiest path to Arlington.
Chris Klieman said earlier this week that Kansas State probably ranks near the top of college football in tight end touchdowns. My question for you: Where do the Wildcats rank in that statistic? - @XicanoDeKCenMKE via X.
The K-State sports information office looked into that statistic this week. According to their research, the Wildcats lead the nation with 10 touchdown catches from tight ends.
Utah ranks second with nine.
Four other teams have thrown seven passes to tight ends.
Funny thing is, the Wildcats should really have 11 touchdowns for their tight ends. Avery Johnson found Will Anciaux wide open in the end zone last week and threw a good pass to him. But the redshirt freshman dropped the ball.
Offensive coordinator Conor Riley is having a lot of fun with his tight ends. At one point against Kansas, the Wildcats had Will Swanson, Garrett Oakley and Anciaux all lined up wide to the right on a play.
Brian Lepak has done a marvelous job of identifying, recruiting and developing tight ends in recent years.
Things will only get better next season when five-star recruit Linkon Cure joins the mix.
Where does the defense rank when it comes to giving up conversions on third down? - @BusMedicMike via X.
K-State ranks fifth in the Big 12 when it comes to allowing conversions on third down.
Opponents are converting at a rate of 37.8% against the Wildcats
It’s understandable to be upset with the way K-State handled third downs against Kansas. The Wildcats let the Jayhawks move the chains too many times, especially in the first half. KU scored all four of its touchdowns on third downs.
That is far from ideal.
But it’s worth pointing out that Kansas leads the Big 12 in third-down offense with a 51% conversion rate.
When the game was on the line, K-State also delivered. The Jayhawks didn’t score a single point in the fourth quarter ... or convert on many third downs.
With another linebacker out for the season, who is stepping up or are the starters just playing more? - @bfullingt1 via X.
Rex Van Whye has stepped up to make six tackles over the past two games as a reserve linebacker.
He is, far and away, the top beneficiary in terms of playing time now that Beau Palmer and Asa Newsom are both out for the season with injuries.
Terry Kirksey and Alec Marenco could also see more action over the next few weeks, but it hasn’t happened much yet.
K-State has lost depth at linebacker this season, but it relies on its starters for most of its production at that position. Austin Moore, Austin Romaine and Desmond Purnell are playing more than they used to in the middle of Joe Klanderman’s defense.
What is the best Halloween candy? - @mrksuguy5 via X.
1. Reese’s Pieces.
2. Milky Way.
3. Twix.
Honorable mention: Dots, Twizzlers, Mr. Goodbar.
You better believe I have already forced my kids to pay a “Dad Tax” on those items.
I also have a list of the worst candy you can get on Halloween, below:
1. Kit Kat.
2. Tootsie Roll.
3. Smarties.
Dishonorable mention: Fruit Chews, cheap suckers.
Did anything surprise you at the Kansas State’s exhibition basketball win over Fort Hays State? - Jeff M. via e-mail.
I wasn’t expecting CJ Jones to start at point guard.
Dug McDaniel seemed like the obvious chart to start at that position, given how much he played there at Michigan. Jerome Tang called him the best point guard in the transfer portal last spring.
But Tang made it clear that Jones is the best point guard on the K-State roster right now during his postgame news conference.
“He isn’t starting in (McDaniel’s) place,” Tang said. “CJ started because he’s been our best point guard. He has an incredible assist-to-turnover ratio in practice and you saw it again today. He gets guys shots. He can defend the ball and keep it out of the paint. He can rebound and his length provides a lot for you. He is a willing passer. He just gives it up. The ball comes out of his hands easy. They can play together. He can play by himself. CJ has earned where he’s at.”
Jones is a 6-foot-5 transfer from Illinois-Chicago. Fans should get to know him.
We know Texas believes they are home to some of the best BBQ, but does the Houston area have some worthy places a fan should visit? - @ChadFullington
I like Houston more for its breweries than its barbecue joints, but the city definitely has some good places to eat.
Pinkerton’s Barbecue is my favorite. I have loved all of my visits there. It’s a little different from many Texas BBQ restaurants because it stays open for dinner, which is awesome.
Go there, order your favorite smoked meat and thank me later.