Did Kansas State Football Get Slighted In Latest CFB Rankings?
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Kansas State football is in an interesting position, where the program is seemingly going to be a conference competitor or another borderline bowl team.
Then again, that's been the story of the Wildcats the past few years. Single plays have decided the outcomes of some of the games, ranging from game-losing interceptions to opposing stars fumbling to seal a Wildcats victory.
ESPN echoed this sentiment in its latest CFB predictions. The popular news outlet, which typically favors Kansas State, placed it in Tier 7 nationally. The Wildcats were pinned as a team "on the come-up," sharing the rank with teams like Virginia and Auburn. They fell way below a few of their Big 12 rivals, including Texas Tech, BYU, and Utah.
"The Wildcats started 2-4 last year, but those four losses came by a total of 13 points," the article wrote. "Flip one play in each game and K State could've entered its Nov. 1 showdown with Texas Tech at 8-0. Luck has to shift eventually."
To be fair, not many in the conference placed that well. But then again, Kansas State is anticipated to be more than that, and ESPN has been one of the program's biggest advocates.
To the surprise of no one, quarterback Avery Johnson was pegged as the main X-factor. More specifically, his completion accuracy. Johnson has fallen below 60 percent passing every season, logging a 58.8 percent career passing percentage.
"In the playoff era, only one Big 12 QB (min. 300 dropbacks) has posted consecutive seasons completing less than 60% of their pass attempts: Kansas State's Avery Johnson," the article wrote.
Johnson is projected to finally have the career season everyone has been waiting for for years. Having Collin Klein back in the building as the play-caller gives outsiders and fans the optimism that he'll get Johnson to the next level. His freshman season with Klein on the sideline was what drew people to him. Johnson's dual-threat play style is ideal for the modern signal-caller, but his passing needs work. He also showed a tendency to hesitate on the run last season, failing to unleash his rushing skills when needed.
With Klein back, the game plan should be tailored to Johnson's strengths and unlock his downfield passing attack. Johnson specializes in the short-passing game, but the hope is that he starts pushing the ball a little more on the perimeter.
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Jayden Armant is a contributor to KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at jaydenshome14@gmail.com.
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