Mailbag: Expectations for the Kansas State offense in week one

1. How many quarterbacks does Kansas State play in week one?

DY: It is probably the best time for all three of Kansas State quarterbacks Will Howard, Jake Rubley and Avery Johnson to play. I’m not sure there’s another game that will be as lopsided as the first, though an argument could be made for Houston or Iowa State.

K-State could score 70 if Howard plays enough possessions.

2. Can the Wildcats average 500 yards per game on offense?

DY: Absolutely, but that’s just because of pace. If you’re not asking about yards per drive or points per drive and are just asking about raw numbers of yards and points, you’re really just asking how quick a team will play or how many possessions they will have as an offense.

Yards per game or points per game is not a good gauge of how good of an offense is, or at least not the best one. It is just a gauge of how many plays or possessions they will have in a certain game. The teams that average the most yards are the ones that operate the fastest, not the best.

With that being said, Collin Klein has instituted a no-huddle offense at Kansas State, so it is within reach to answer the question. But the Wildcats will be more focused on the per-drive numbers because that is a true barometer.

Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein walks on the field before a game on Sept. 3, 2022. (Peter Aiken / Getty Images)

3. What outcome in game one would have you pessimistic and which one would have you optimistic?

DY: I’m not sure I would use numbers to quantify my pessimism or optimism. I’m not really sure a specific outcome is the right answer, either. I would just say I’d have some worry if my concern or pause about the K-State defense is confirmed against a team like SEMO.

4. Where would you rank the K-State offensive line in the Big 12 and nationally?

DY: While I understand that the question is leaning into whether we’re just banking on experience and assuming that makes them good, playing together and being a cohesive unit is actually what makes a good offensive line unit.

So, those two things are closely aligned. The fact that Kansas State returns all of that experience and past starts is a great thing. Having that chemistry and trust with one another is what can make a group excel and that more special.

Offensive line is different than every other position on the field in that way. You can even have three or four elite offensive linemen that are All-Big 12 level, but they can be terrible as a unit because they don’t work well together. That is what is the most important thing about offensive line play.

Because of that, yes, I believe the K-State offensive line will be elite and amongst the best in the entire country.

5. Does Kansas State go for it on fourth down more with the uncertainty at kicker?

DY: No. Kansas State will go for it on fourth down more because that is their philosophy as a program. Go ahead and look back at last year’s numbers, and the statistics will show that the Wildcats were already aggressive in those situations even when Ty Zentner was 100 percent.

We also do not know if they are uncertain at kicker. Whether it is Lleyton Simmering or Chris Tennant doing the kicking duties, they will receive a chance to prove themselves before a conclusion is made on that front.

Most kickers struggle early on in their careers, even the special ones.

6. Who leads the Wildcats in interceptions?

DY: Picking someone with a nose for the ball is always wise. I’ll side with K-State safety Kobe Savage because of that. He has the full understanding of the defense and can play faster and see the field a bit better than all of the other defensive backs who will be full-time starters in Manhattan for the first time.

7. Who leads K-State in sacks?

DY: I’ll play it safe and choose who is easily the best pass rusher on the Kansas State roster in Khalid Duke.

8. Who leads the defense in tackles for loss?

DY: Who can create the most havoc and live in the backfield the most for the Wildcats? That could be anyone in the front six and someone that constantly can beat their man and penetrate at a regular clip. Remember, Daniel Green was a king at this in 2021.

He’ll begin the year a bit banged up again, but he’s a good answer. With that being said, I’ll pick a fellow K-State linebacker in Austin Moore. He’s going to be even better this season, not slow down and perhaps be the best player on the entire defense.

The post Mailbag: Expectations for the Kansas State offense in week one appeared first on On3.