Why Kansas State Wildcats Feel Better Prepared For Season Opener Than Last Year

Last year, training camp was a little more stressful for the Kansas State Wildcats football team. 

They played a game against the Iowa State Cyclones in Week 0. And it was on the road. As in Ireland. 

The preparation forced the Wildcats to begin camp a week earlier. They also had to deal with the long trip there and back. 

After the loss, the Wildcats could notice the toll it took. 

"It was just a lot for us last year to have to go there and come back," K-State quarterback Avery Johnson said. "You have to deal with jet lag. I got jet-lagged on a Tuesday. Then you're kind of sleepwalking into your real Week 1 game."

Things are much different this season. They started camp at the normal time and open the season in Week 1 at home against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. It had made a world of difference for the Wildcats, especially with this being the first year of the coach Collin Klein era. 

The normalcy of the schedule has allowed the Wildcats to ease into the transition. It also helps the fact they are playing an opponent they are supposed to defeat. That has perhaps enabled them to not only prepare for Nicholls but the Washington State Cougars, who are next week's opponent. 

If the Wildcats can start the season with two wins, it would give them much-needed momentum entering the rest of the schedule. Last year things never got back on track after the loss to Iowa State. Despite defeating the North Dakota Fighting Hawks, they lost three of the next four games. That essentially eliminated them from contention of a Big 12 championship. 

The slow start led to a 6-6 season that led to coach Chris Klieman stepping down. At least it opened the door for Klein to have a chance of leading his Alma Mater. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

Why Collin Klein is trying to get everybody involved at tight end and running back

Position switch could be beneficial for K-State's Darien Whitaker

Will Kansas State's depth chart change much during the season? 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]