The schedule suggests the Kansas State Wildcats could fare well in the first season under coach Collin Klein
The Kansas State Wildcats were predicted to finish eighth in the Big 12 conference by the league media.
But if you look at the schedule, the Wildcats could finish higher than expected. They have a very favorable slate that could help first-year coach Collin Klein have a lot of success.
Just look at it: Most of the tough games are at home. And the Wildcats do not face the defending champion Texas Tech Red Raiders, BYU Cougars or Utah Utes, who are among the best teams in the league.
There is no reason why K-State should finish below eight wins. With Klein in charge and quarterback Avery Johnson looking for redemption after an inconsistent junior season, the Wildcats could be one of the biggest sleepers in college football. They were unranked in both preseason Top 25 polls but they won the Big 12 the last time that happened.
Could history repeat itself? It sure seems that way.
KLEIN ENJOYING THIS OPPORTUNITY IN MANHATTAN
Kansas State Wildcats coach Collin Klein is in a rare position.
He actually gets to coach where he played in college. He is set to make his college debut Sept 5. against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It is the same venue where he had a legendary career as the starting quarterback in the early 2010s.
After nearly nine months on the job, Klein is still in awe of this opportunity.
"This place is home," Klein said. "This is family, and we bleed purple from top to bottom. I mean, just being able to grow and do what we did the last two years to have an opportunity like this. To be able to come back home and carry on the legacy of our program that goes back a long time. I still have to pinch myself sometimes because it is so special."
The Wildcats are projected to finish eighth in the Big 12, but a favorable schedule could mean otherwise.
MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
