Mailbag: Kansas State pre-game edition week three

1. What is the pecking order at wide receiver for Kansas State?

DY: The interesting thing is that the three receiver spots are different. I think that’s lost on some folks when just wanting to throw out the three best Kansas State receivers. It isn’t all that easy, and K-State obviously believes the best slot is Phillip Brooks.

The other two spots is a battle between Keagan Johnson, RJ Garcia and Jadon Jackson. All three will play a lot. But I’d imagine Johnson and Garcia are out there the most. What could help is Johnson also being able to play a bit in the slot.

But I’m not sure how many spots that Garcia and Jackson know or can play.

2. Who starts at right tackle?

DY: Until I see something different, my instinct is to say that K-State will roll with Carver Willis until he gives them a reason not to do so. I haven’t heard anything to suggest differently, and Kansas State offensive coordinator Collin Klein was not confident that Christian Duffie would play.

However, just like against Troy, the leash would be short. And Cooper Beebe would be the next best solution. And for clarity, there are other issues up front that also need to be rectified. It isn’t just exclusive to one spot.

3. Who has more receiving yards between Ben Sinnott and RJ Garcia?

DY: Though at +225 odds I agree on the value of anytime Ben Sinnott touchdown when it comes to gambling advice, I’d probably lean towards RJ Garcia being the answer here just because Missouri could just aim to mimic Troy’s defensive game plan in eliminating Sinnott and Garcia is a more vertical threat.

4. Does K-State or Missouri have more rushing yards?

DY: K-State. They have the better offensive line, the better backs and will often be in the lead.

5. Can Will Howard still break the school record for touchdown passes if he continues to mount up short rushing scores?

DY: You said it yourself, rushing scores can be an impediment to that if they continue. But I don’t think that is a sustainable philosophy or strategy for Kansas State just because they must keep Will Howard healthy.

Keagan Johnson/USA Today

6. What does the snap count look like this week for Keagan Johnson?

DY: I asked both Klein and head coach Chris Klieman about cutting Keagan Johnson loose this week and the reactions made me think they are comfortable and very confident that he’s taking the next step. I’d be surprised if he has any restrictions this week.

According to the K-State offensive coordinator, he really turned the corner last week in the practices leading up to the and has continued to ascend throughout this week as well.

7. Does the lack of an underclassman being able to step up and replace Duffie worry you about next year’s entire Kansas State offensive line?

DY: No because they are already playing an underclassman in Hadley Panzer, for one. Also, Kansas State has an underclassman ready to play some tackle as well. John Pastore is just battling the injury bug too and missed almost all of training camp as well.

Also, a lot can happen in a year. People also thought Cooper Beebe sucked after one game (the first of his career). He allowed two sacks and almost a third (against a Group of Five opponent) in his first game and the board was on fire. We have seen two games this season. Guys get better in a week. They will also get better in a year.

8. How many different Wildcats play right tackle?

DY: Three.

9. What phase of the game worries you most versus Missouri?

DY: The K-State offense. Missouri keeps teams off the scoreboard.

10. What is one matchup you’re excited to watch?

DY: Can the Kansas State offensive line take a step forward and hold up against a pretty terrific Missouri defense? If so, the Wildcats probably won’t have a hard time scoring, or at least not as difficult. In that case, it wouldn’t be as tight of an end result.

Missouri’s defensive line has to be elite in order for them to be competitive.

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