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2009 Kansas State NCAA Football Predictions

Written by Jimmy Boyd

k-state 72409 Bill Snyder will be back on the sidelines of the Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas for his second stint with the Wildcats. His first 17 years on the job were magical as he posted a 136-68-1 record. Can Snyder get the Cats over the hump following back-to-back 5-7 finishes? Get my take in this 2009 college football betting preview. K-State is listed at +17,500 to win the 2009 BCS championship at BetUS.

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Offense – Snyder and co-offensive coordinators Dana Dimel and Del Miller inherit an offense with a big hole at the most important position – quarterback. That hole was left when Josh Freeman decided to enter the NFL Draft. Carson Coffman, the only QB on the roster with any FBS experience, will likely be the guy, but Snyder has always been a friend of mobile dual-threat QB’s and that could open the door for a guy like juco All-American Daniel Thomas who is a true dual-threat QB. A big part of the K-State game plan will be to get the ball in the hands of senior wide receiver Brandon Banks. The ultra-quick, 5′7”, 150-pound juggernaut caught 67 passes for 1,049 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Tight end Jeron Mastrud, the team’s second leading pass catcher in 2008, is another solid option. The offensive line, led by senior tackle Nick Stringer and senior guard Brock Unruh, is an improving unit and should fare better in Snyder’s more run-oriented scheme. The running back spot is still up in the air, but Keithen Valentine and Jarell Childs look like the early favorites to get the most totes.

Defense – The Wildcats struggled severely on this side of the football in 2008, ranking 110th in the nation in scoring defense (35.8 points per game allowed) and 117th in total defense (479.1 yards per game allowed). Seven starters return and Snyder has brought in Chris Cosh and Vic Koenning to be the co-coordinators of the defense. We aren’t going to see a dramatic turnaround in year one, but I do anticipate improvement. Snyder does inherit some talent on this side of the football. Sophomore defensive end Brandon Harold came through with 10.5 tackles for loss in 2008. The addition of Virginia transfer Jeffrey Fitzgerald at one of the tackle spots should improve the interior. The linebackers are fast and the secondary returns four starters, including cornerback Josh Moore, who picked off three passes last season. The Cats should be somewhat improved up front and that will help the two back layers of the defense as well.

Prediction: 5th Big 12 North – Bill Snyder knows it is going to take some time before the Cats are competing for Big 12 North titles again and that is what he has been expressing to the excited K-State fan base. The defense must make major strides and the quarterback position must perform well for Snyder’s comeback party to result in a bowl bid. It’s not very likely, but also not out of the question. K-State is listed at +650 to win the Big 12 North.

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