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| | Wednesday, August 30 K-State hopes to double-time it to BCS | |||||
| By Todd Cooper Special to ESPN.com Kansas State Wildcats 1999 record: 11-1 (7-1 Big 12) Coach: Bill Snyder Returning starters: 15 (8 offense, 7 defense) Outlook Even though they're just a few hours down the road, the Wildcats would like nothing better than to make Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., their bookend vacation destination this year. The Wildcats open the season with Iowa in the Eddie Robinson Classic at Arrowhead Stadium and if they take care of business at home - especially when Nebraska and Oklahoma come to Manhattan -- they could end their season at the Big 12 championship game in Kansas City. "They're going to have the opportunity to play in Arrowhead Stadium," Snyder said. "An opportunity to play in an NFL stadium is rewarding to them." The question is whether they'll double their rewards. In order to make an encore appearance at Arrowhead, the Wildcats will have to find some consistency at quarterback. Jonathan Beasley was shaky much of the season, completing just 90 of 203 passes for 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He regained confidence during the Wildcats' Holiday Bowl victory over Washington, earning MVP honors. But he might be pushed by redshirt freshman Ell Roberson, a Michael Bishop-type quarterback who had fans drooling in the spring. The quarterback will again be throwing to a fleet of fliers, including Quincy Morgan and Aaron Lockett. Rubbery return man David Allen -- who is poised to break the record held by Johnny Rodgers of Nebraska and Jack Mitchell of Oklahoma for most career punt returns for touchdowns -- is out to prove that he can bounce off defenders from his backfield slot, too. The defense returns seven starters, but must replace several key players. Safety Lamar Chapman was a key player in one of the nation's best secondaries last season, but the Wildcats are set at cornerback with Dyshod Carter and Jerametrius Butler back. The line is experienced and the linebacking corps is deep, so the Wildcats have a very good chance of being undefeated when Nebraska comes calling on Nov. 11. Keep an eye on ... Allen. Baylor Coach Kevin Steele said he has return skills similar to Deion Sanders. If he uses those moves as a running back this season, K-State offense gets better in a hurry. It's a good season if ... The Wildcats take care of business at home and make sure there is no way the BCS can avoid them for a third consecutive time. Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald |
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