Kansas State Football: Alex Barnes MVP for K-State in 2018
By John McCarty
Kansas State football has a defense that has struggled mightily and issues at quarterback, but those have been minimized by the beast known as Alex Barnes.
Entering the game against Baylor on October 6th, Kansas State was desperate for an infusion of energy, production, talent, whatever it could be. After a disappointing performance at home against Texas the week before, the Wildcats were desperate for help.
Enter Alex Barnes. In the past two weeks, the junior running back from Pittsburg, Kansas has done everything possible to turn the season around.
After amassing just 357 rushing yards entering the Baylor game, Barnes has put the Wildcats offense on his back and through the past two games done everything he can to carry the load, both literally and figurative. Barnes has carried the ball 56 times over the past two games for 431 yards (7.69 yards per carry) along with 39 receiving yards. Oh, he’s also recorded seven rushing touchdowns in those past two games.
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Going forward, the Kansas State offense will need Barnes to continue the rushing efforts if they hope to reach a bowl game. Oklahoma State has perhaps been the biggest conference disappointment through the early part of the conference schedule.
Up next are tough and physical teams such as Oklahoma, TCU, Iowa State along with surprising Texas Tech wrapped around what is likely a certain victory against the Kansas Jayhawks (How many days until baseketball again?)
Conference statistical rankings
The Cyclones are currently the top rated conference rush defense with TCU rated as the conferences third best run stopping team. Both of those teams also lead the conference in defensive passing yards a game, so those two teams alone will be a challenge. Concerns about the offense go a long way when facing tough, physical defenses.
Oklahoma’s defense hasn’t been the usual Sooner defense. Currently, the Sooners have the ninth ranked yardage defense but are sixth in points.
Texas Tech will be interesting as they are doing their usual things on offense, third in the conference in offensive points, but are also playing some defense, ranking sixth on in the conference on defense. Barnes will need to have a good day against both these teams, especially if the Wildcats defense reverts back to the tackling struggles they have had in the earlier part of the season return.
It’s far too early and likely to early to tell if the Wildcats are able to achieve the goal of reaching postseason play (Their goals should be much higher but that’s a story for a different day). However, one thing is for sure, with the issues getting the passing game going and a Jekyll and Hyde defense, Barnes will have to be the man to carry the load.