Three and out: Three bold predictions for remainder of Kansas State season

Kansas State still finishes high on defense

Even though there is a lot of consternation about the Kansas State defense, the metrics still have them about in the middle of the pack of the Big 12 on that side of the ball. If not for the explosive plays, they would be considerably higher.

That’s mainly why I believe they could still finish in the top part of the league still before it’s all said and done. If K-State were to finish as a top five defense in the conference by the end of the season, it would not be a surprise.

What is ailing the Wildcats can be shored up by many of their younger and inexperienced players just seeing more snaps. Despite the criticisms, they tightened up against both Missouri and UCF and did enough in each contest to still win.

Heck, when eliminating the final second score against the Knights, Kansas State didn’t even surrender any points after the 13:40 point on the clock during the third quarter. They have issues but they are correctable in time, and the Wildcats’ numbers are still respectable even with the noticeable errors.

200 again

The Kansas State offensive line is only getting better, not worse. Running back DJ Giddens is only getting better, not worse. There will be another game when it is needed and that group in Manhattan should be up to the task.

Giddens is that good to where he is probably a threat to do so nearly every time he puts on a uniform. There will be another game where head coach Chris Klieman decides that K-State will win it by putting it on his running back and the offensive line.

It would not be stunning to see him go for 200 yards again. Maybe it isn’t four touchdowns, though. Either way, he may just be what we thought Kansas State would get from Mike McCoy if it wasn’t for an unfortunate injury.

Guaranteed tight ones

Which games the remaining part of the season are guaranteed to be tight for K-State? Honestly, they all could be with the exception of maybe Houston and Baylor. Those two appear to headed downward and have to travel to Manhattan this year.

Iowa State does as well but they at least have a defense that can keep the contest close. There is an argument to be made about Oklahoma State being a decisive win as well, but I’m giving the Cowboys the benefit of the doubt to call it far from a guarantee since it is in Stillwater.

The two guarantees, in my opinion, are versus Texas in Austin and the Sunflower Showdown in Lawrence.

Sure, the Wildcats have been owned by the Longhorns, but Klieman-coached teams alway rise up for a big contest each year and sometimes even win it. Just reflect on his career at North Dakota State but also all the wins against Oklahoma while at Kansas State.

Texas could be the same. I’ll say it will be tight, but I won’t call a win for the Wildcats just because the Longhorns appear to be a little different this year.

In terms of the Jayhawks, Kansas might even be a little better this year than they were last season. Some of that is just having more players with experience of actually winning. It’s also because the defense has made a little jump, even if the offense isn’t as efficient or effective.

Kansas will be ready for K-State and it should be a tight one on the scoreboard.

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