Kansas St Wildcats 2022 College Football Preview

Kansas St Wildcats 2022 College Football Preview

Created July 23, 2021

2021 Recap

Record – 8-5

ATS – 8-5

The Wildcats exceeded our expectations and managed to cobble together eight wins during the 2021 campaign, and while they didn’t manage to bag a “signature” win, you can definitely sense that the program is on the right track since Chris Klieman took over as HC in 2019.

Could these guys be a DARK HORSE in a competitive Big 12 this year? Let’s take a look.


Kansas St Wildcats 2022 Outlook

OFFENSE

Kansas St has been mediocre on offense for a number of years (#8 Big 12 scoring offense LY, #9 total offense) but things could get a whole lot SPICIER in 2022. The Wildcats made a nice QB pickup in the transfer portal by snagging former CORN signal-caller Adrian Martinez who somehow has eligibility left after playing with the Huskers since 2004 **. Martinez is a frustratingly inconsistent specimen but he’s also a legit and dynamic dual-threat. RB Deuce Vaughn is one of the best players in the Big 12 (1,404, 6.0, 18 TD; 49! receptions LY) and they’ve got a legit 1-2 tandem at WR (Brooks, Knowles). The OL is less-experienced but they’re anchored by star LT Cooper Beebe. If Martinez can find a way to limit turnovers and stay out of the INFIRMARY there’s no reason why the Cats can’t have their best offensive showing since 2017 (32.3 PPG).

** needs fact check

DEFENSE

The Cats made great strides on defense LY (21 PPG from 32 PPG in 2020) and were particularly nasty vs the run (129 YPG, #31 FBS). They’ve allowed 68% (!) completions two years in a row so they’ve gotta clean that mess up. Every level of the defense looks good heading into 2022, particularly a experienced DL that features elite pass-rushing demon Felix Anudike-Uzomah (11 sacks LY). Leading tackler Daniel Green (16 TFL) is back at LB and the secondary brings back three starters including a potent CB duo. We expect a very good to excellent performance from the defense this year.

SPECIAL TEAMS

KR Mailk Knowles is a devastating threat (2 TD LY) but they’ll need to get better results from PK Chris Tennant (5-8 FG LY). Recall that the Wildcats always seem to have strong special teams groups.

Schedule Analysis

Overall – Kansas St should almost certainly get off to a 3-0 start before things get HOT and HEAVY in week four when they travel to face Oklahoma. They’ve only got 5 true road games and should be able to finish with a pair of DUBS (at West Virginia, Kansas).

Potential ATS Trouble Spot – September 17 – at Tulane

This game precedes the aforementioned yuuuge match-up with the Sooners and Tulane almost SHOCKED the WORLD last year vs Oklahoma (L 40-35).

Season Win Total

Over 6.5 -180

Under 6.5 +150

MEGALOCKS says:

Lean: Over

78 of our 89 models have the Cats winning seven games or more.

MEGAmazing Tidbits

Kansas St has been CRYPONITE to Oklahoma over the L10Y winning three times in Norman since 2012. Not an easy feat, yo.

HC Chris Klieman has been great ATS so far with the Wildcats (23-13, 64%).


MEGALOCKS Outlook:

Hmm. This has the look of a dangerous team with no significant weakness. All three phases of the game should be TOIT like TIGER and you know they’ll be well-coached. The road schedule looks rough (Oklahoma, Iowa St, Baylor) but we still think they’re a LIVE LONGSHOT to weasel their way into the title conversation. Let’s do itttttt!


Want more Kansas St football ?

WEBSITE

https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football

FORUM

http://goemaw.com/forum/index.php?board=3.0

https://kansasstate.forums.rivals.com/

NEWS

http://www.bringonthecats.com/

http://themercury.com/k_state_sports/football/

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/

https://www.espn.com/college-football/team/_/id/2306/kansas-state-wildcats