What Are Biggest Challenges Cincinnati Bearcats Present To Kansas State Wildcats?
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The Kansas State Wildcats are facing the biggest challenge to date in the first year of the Collin Klein era as coach.
The Wildcats open the Big 12 season on the road against the Cincinnati Bearcats Saturday at Nippert Stadium. Both teams are off to undefeated starts.
After starting with wins against the Nicholls Cowboys, Washington State Cougars and Tulane Green Wave, the Wildcats are playing for the first time away from Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Although K-State is favored by 6.5 points, don't expect this to be an easy out for the Wildcats. The Bearcats were predicted to finish 11th in the Big 12 media preseason poll but that's only three spots behind the Wildcats.
Klein says there is no reason for his team to underestimate the Bearcats.
"Tremendous challenge this week," Klein said. "I have a lot of respect for Coach (Scott) Satterfield and the job he's done. The amount of offensive production and consistent offensive production that he's had for a very, very long time, averaging over 200 yards rushing and passing per game consistently season over season, program over program at every program that he's been at. It's going to be a huge challenge for us."
Satterfield is at his third head-coaching stop. He began at Appalachian State before joining the Louisville Cardinals. He took over at Cincinnati in 2023.
Quarterback JC French leads the Bearcats offense with 631 passing yards and five touchdowns. He has also ran for four touchdowns, displaying similar dual-threat tendencies as K-State quarterback Avery Johnson.
Expect French to be a high priority for the Wildcats' defense. Both teams are also eyeing 4-0 starts. Kansas State hasn't done that since 2012 when Klien was the starting quarterback. The Bearcats haven't done it since 2021.
`CATS LAND BIG 2028 COMMITMENT
The Wildcats and Klein landed their first commitment of the 2028 recruiting class. Linebacker Taylen Washington, who is 6-foot-3 and 208 pounds, of Derby High School announced his decision earlier this week on social media.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at shandelrich@gmail.com
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