Kansas State Football: 5 things to watch vs Mississippi State

MANHATTAN, KS - SEPTEMBER 01: Rrunning back Alex Barnes #34 of the Kansas State Wildcats leads the team out onto the field prior to a game against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

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MANHATTAN, KS – SEPTEMBER 01: Head coach Bill Snyder of the Kansas State Wildcats talks with an official during the first half against the South Dakota Coyotes on September 1, 2018 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

Kansas State Football nearly became a statistic last week against South Dakota. The level of competition does a complete 360-degree turn this Saturday.

It should have been easier. After nearly a week after the South Dakota debacle, that is the one thought that comes to mind for Kansas State Football. It should have been easier.

Plenty of writers, including yours truly considered last weeks game a warm-up game. It was more of a gut-check game than anything for the Wildcats.

In the end, a win is a win. The Wildcats are 1-0 at home against an SEC powerhouse. The Bulldogs are ranked 18th in the country and serve as a rare non-conference game at home against a ranked team.

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The Wildcats aren’t predicted to do much on Saturday. A game like their first will do that. How can a team that barely got by an FCS team even attempt to keep up with an SEC team like Mississippi State?

Kansas State can make everyone forget about that embarrassing showing in week 1 with a win against a ranked team. A ranked SEC team at that.

Last week was a perfect storm. Having to settle for field goals instead of touchdowns, committing four turnovers, getting twice as many penalty yards as the other team. It was uncharacteristic of a Bill Snyder coached program.

If one thing is certain. Those issues were addressed, over and over.

Two things are possible here. Either it was merely a fluke and coach Snyder will have his guys lined out, or it’s a much deeper issue and Kansas State fans are in for a long season.

There are a lot of things for fans to keep an eye on this week. As little faith as some may have, the Wildcats should not be taken lightly.

If the Bulldogs take any plays off on Saturday the Wildcats are still talented enough and coached well enough to make them pay.

Here are 5 things to keep an eye on.

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