Pick and preview: SEMO at Kansas State

KSO will look at a handful of categories each week when previewing the Kansas State game on Saturday. We discuss factors to keep in mind for the Wildcats, what K-State needs to learn, the players to watch and a final prediction.

FOUR FACTORS FOR KANSAS STATE

1. Be overwhelming: The Wildcats should be able to overwhelm SEMO with sheer size and physicality. Kansas State has their entire offensive line back, sans Christian Duffie because of injury. Lean on the big boys to pound away at the Redhawks. That is where the contrast is most stark between the two sides.

2. Play fast: A comment by K-State defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman stood out to me when I asked about the growing pains that could happen on the defensive side of the ball because of all of the new faces. They expect it, but those mistakes can be minimized to an extent by playing hard and playing fast. Errors can be mitigated or lessened in nature if they are flying to the ball.

3. Don’t give them hope: Allowing an out-matched team to hang around or be confident is the easiest way to fall victim to an upset. Plus, Kansas State wants to play a lot of guys for actual possessions late in the game to watch them on the big stage. To do that, the Wildcats must jump on SEMO early and eliminate any chance of the Redhawks feeling good about themselves.

4. Rotate: It is the first game of the season. While everyone is in shape at this point, there is a difference between game shape and being in shape. Guys feel it in the first game, usually. It will be especially that way when it is over 100 degrees on the field. K-State should be able to lean on their depth versus SEMO and not suffer for it.

WHAT THE WILDCATS NEED TO LEARN

1. Injuries: Who plays and who doesn’t for Kansas State on Saturday and what might it mean moving forward? Has Daniel Green and Uso Seumalo made enough of a recovery to feel good about them being ready for the Missouri game in about two weeks? Klanderman called both game-time decisions.

2. New answers: Are new K-State starters like RJ Garcia, Desmond Purnell and Will Lee as good as advertised and able to shoulder the load this season? Our first sneak peek is this weekend.

SATURDAY STARS

Keagan Johnson: Kansas State is going to want to integrate and show off their new toy as soon as possible. The fun part is that he may be the most talented wideout they have had in Manhattan since Tyler Lockett. Keagan Johnson could make a huge splash, both because of his talent, the desire of K-State for him to be involved in the game plan and the Redhawks not necessarily scheming for him just yet. Even Ben Sinnott may command more attention earlier in the season.

Khalid Duke: Speaking of commanding attention, because he has been at linebacker and not necessarily being turned loose at quarterbacks the last couple of years, they may not have a full plan to contain Khalid Duke on the edge, either. If they did, SEMO may not have the horses to do so, anyways. At least two sacks for the Kansas State star is on the table.

Ty Bowman: If I remember correctly, he was a staple on the punt block team a year ago and, along with Seth Porter, came close to getting a few. I wouldn’t be stunned if the Wildcats make a statement in that area and Ty Bowman is a part of it.

PREDICTION

Kansas State should be able to flex their muscles over SEMO in multiple spots on the field but particularly on the offensive side of the ball. If Howard and the offense are the juggernaut we think they are, then they should threaten the 50-point goal they have set for themselves.

SEMO can play a little bit of offense though, especially with Ryan Flournoy at receiver and Geno Hess in the backfield. Their offensive skill position players, paired with a returning starter at quarterback, could cause some growing pains on the K-State defense for sure. I’d expect it early in the season.

Kansas State cruises, even if both teams light up the scoreboard a little.

K-State starts the season 1-0 with a 52-20 victory.

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