Kansas State Football: Run game will dictate who wins Liberty Bowl

By John McCarty | Dec 31, 2019

MANHATTAN, KS - NOVEMBER 30: Running back Jacardia Wright #28 of the Kansas State Wildcats rushes for a touchdown against the Iowa State Cyclones during the first half at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium on November 30, 2019 in Manhattan, Kansas. (Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images) /

If Kansas State football can slow down the Navy option offense at the Liberty Bowl, the Wildcats likely emerge victorious. Can they do just that?

Outside of the regular big time opponents, no school is feared more in a bowl game quite like Navy. Perhaps it’s not feared, it’s just simply programs don’t want to face Navy, as their option offense is not something teams regularly see and prepping for it can be difficult. Will the Kansas State Wildcats be up to the task on New Year’s Eve when the two teams meet in the Liberty Bowl?

One of the reasons why Navy is difficult in bowl games is some programs opt not to prepare for the option offense and instead use their bowl practices to continue the development of young players during the lead up practices. This is a way to be better prepared for teams they will face during the next season instead of worrying about a unique offense.

Another reason the option offense can be difficult, going along with the aforementioned lack of interest in preparing for it, is that teams may not have the personnel or coaches to properly prepare for the option. Can teams prepare for the Navy offense properly?

More from Kansas State Wildcats

What is unique about the option offense is the style and manner in which the run game is blocked. Option offense takes advantage of the often undersized linemen by having them cut block the defense, taking them off their feet. For a textbook example, highlights of the Georgia Tech destruction of Kansas a few years back, the grounds crew is still finding Jayhawks lying in the ground.

If the Wildcats are able to keep their feet and gap discipline, is that enough to stop the Navy run game?

Perhaps one of the best things going for the Cats is their size along the defensive line. Has Navy faced a defensive front the size of Kansas State? The Wildcats are a physical team along both sides of the line and while the K-State defense has yet to face an option style attack, their own offense is a physical front that has aided in the development of the rush defense.

Simply put, if the Wildcats are able to tackle against the Navy rush attack, they will not only win the game, but likely will win the game in convincing fashion. With a big physical defensive front and athletic linebackers, the Navy offense will have a difficult time against the Wildcats defensive front.

The run game and over the top passing attack by Kansas State will be a difficult task for the Midshipman to stop and should allow the Cats to put points on the board. If Kansas State football decides to play, have properly prepared, and are there to win, the Cats will come away with the victory.

In the end, the Kansas State Wildcats will win this game 31 – 21. Navy will be able to run the ball, but not with enough success to dictate time and tempo. That will lead to the Cats pulling away in the second half.

A tough, hard nosed K-State team will walk away with the Liberty Bowl victory and their first bowl victory in the Chris Klieman era.

Home/Kansas State Wildcats