Three and out: Three bold Kansas State predictions for week one

Kansas State special teams touchdown

The expected Kansas State kick and punt returners today are Seth Porter and Phillip Brooks. It was a question on whether or not Porter would be healthy enough to go, but the latest rumblings suggest that he will be back there to form a pair of sixth-year seniors.

However, that’s not my bold prediction. K-State scores a special teams touchdown, but it will come via a blocked punt. Keep an eye on standouts like Ty Bowman, Tobi Osunsanmi, Jake Clifton, Colby McCalister and a few others.

DJ’s day

I know that I picked Keagan Johnson to have the big day on offense in our pick and preview, but my thoughts are morphing a bit. I still think Johnson can have a lot of production in his Kansas State debut, but look out for DJ Giddens.

Treshaun Ward is still getting his feet wet in Manhattan, and his best days are probably in the weeks ahead. However, Giddens knows exactly what he’s doing for the most part and he knows exactly what he is, too.

His answer about learning how to conduct himself Monday through Friday from Deuce Vaughn was awesome to hear. He continues to understand more and more about how to star in big-time college football.

SEMO doesn’t have the dudes on the defensive side of the ball to slow down his playing style of downhill football. It would not shock me if the Junction City product runs for at least 150 yards and a score today. He is a mismatch for the Redhawks.

50-ball

Is it bold? I don’t know, but I’m using it. We heard the 50 point topic a lot from K-State in the offseason. While offensive coordinator Collin Klein insisted that it was just about having a particular mentality or upset, that’s good enough for me to believe they hit that number in game one.

Will Howard and offensive line coach Conor Riley weren’t shy about bringing it up at all.

Whether it’s a mentality or a goal that they have the front of the mind, I think it matters to them. Because I think Kansas State will operate and snap the ball at even a quicker pace this year, today is the first but not the last time the Wildcats hit the mark.

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