3-2-1: Kansas State readiness for one-score games

It is time for the Kansas State edition of the 3-2-1 feature.

THREE THINGS WE LEARNED ABOUT KANSAS STATE

1. 17: The AP Poll isn’t out just yet, but Kansas State was slotted in at No. 17 in the coaches poll. It did not lead the Big 12, as Utah was higher at No. 13.
2. Banged up: K-State head coach Chris Klieman slipped in that linebacker Alec Marenco had missed a bit of time because of an injury. Him being banged up has created an opening for Austin Romaine that he has taken advantage of in training camp.
3. JoJo: A few avid watchers of high school football in Florida think Miami, Florida State and Florida have wrongly over-looked JoJo Scott . That’s how strong of a reputation there is for the Kansas State cornerback commit. We said at the time the Wildcats felt like they got one of the best out there and that he was very, very high on the recruiting board.

TWO QUESTIONS

1. One-score games: There is a lot of inexperience on the offensive side of the ball. Very little are proven. How does that impact K-State in the one-score games where they even struggled last year with a bit more proven commodities. And there will be a chunk because that’s life in the Big 12. Offensive coordinator Conor Riley has said that’s one main thing that bugged him last year and has contributed to him wanting to address it.
2. Exiting players: What are we doing? Former K-State safety Kobe Savage was caught discussing the Wildcats on a burner account months ago and wasn’t the most glowing. Quarterback Will Howard insinuated that he had to be a hero or superhuman in Manhattan when noting he doesn’t have to at Ohio State. And Will Lee flat out told media in College Station that Collin Klein had no talent at Kansas State when he led a top offense the last two years. Woof. If you’re going to leave, leave, but do it with a bit more grace.

ONE PREDICTION

1. Sunflower Showdowns: I’m going to give it to everyone straight. Though they have still lost to K-State 15 (!!!) straight times, Lance Leipold and Kansas have still closed the gap quite a bit. And it would be hard not to considering how low the bar was previously. They just had to not be the worst college football team in Power Four, essentially. But they’ve done more than the minimum. They’re even ranked to begin the season. On the flip side, Jerome Tang and the Wildcats have shrunk the gap on the basketball side. That makes it for three intense Sunflower Showdowns the next several months, and it starts at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on October 26.

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