Kansas State Football: Good news and bad news ahead of Oklahoma

After a rough opening weekend loss to Arkansas State, a tough challenge awaits as Kansas State football travels to take on the Oklahoma Sooners.

The Kansas State Wildcats assuredly would love to be playing basically anyone else but Oklahoma this weekend after a very unenthused, lackluster performance in their loss to Arkansas State two weeks ago. Yet here we are and the Wildcats find themselves ready to take on the high flying Sooners led by freshman signal caller Spencer Rattler.

The availability of players is in question as many reports indicated that COVID issues and contact tracing could result in a significant number of players missing from the roster for the weekend. Recent reports have been more promising and nothing is more promising than the Wildcats actually traveling for the game.

What do the Wildcats have going for them and what challenges must they overcome if they are to pull the upset and defeat Oklahoma?

What’s good for Kansas State football?

After losing to Arkansas State at home and then traveling to Oklahoma, it’s difficult to imagine there is anything good. The likely return of running back Jacardia Wright should go a long way in helping the rush offense that was just awful, especially between the tackles.

Safety Jaron McPherson went out early in the season opener and he should be back for the game. Against Oklahoma, the more experience you can get in the defensive backfield, the better.

Transfer tight end Briley Moore quickly transitioned himself as a target and playmaker for the Wildcats offense and hopefully that continues through this game. This team has lacked a playmaker at tight end for a number of years and to have one should help open the offense.

Lastly, the best thing going for the Cats is they won this game last year, and the team should have the confidence, however small, that they can do it again. It’s one thing to want to accomplish a goal, but once you realize you can, doing so becomes more likely. The Wildcats are underdogs, but they are not intimidated by the opponent because they’ve beaten them before.

What’s bad for Kansas State football?

Well, basically everything not mentioned above is the bad.

Will Joshua Youngblood and or Malik Knowles play? Youngblood missed the opener and there have been questions about Knowles’ availability this week. The Cats, already thin at wide receiver, will need both players making plays if they are to defeat Oklahoma.

The pass defense must show significant improvement. They were owned and unable to stop Arkansas State, so one cringes thinking what Oklahoma could do with their far superior passing attack.

To go with the pass defense, the front seven, specifically Wyatt Hubert, must be better. And in the same vain as the pass defense, the offensive line the Sooners put on the field will be superior to what the Wildcats saw in their opener. If Rattler is able to stand in the pocket all day and read the coverage, it will be a long and ugly day for the Wildcats.

Lastly, the coaching needs to be better. Was an ultra conservative game plan the issue or does Kansas State lack the athletes currently to properly and effectively run play calls? Regardless, the Wildcats certainly appeared unprepared and/or incapable of consistently making plays.

So, what happens?

I certainly anticipate the Wildcats looking better in all phases this weekend, but it likely will not matter. Missed field goals on special teams don’t help, neither do missed tackles and open receivers against the defense. Whatever K-State called their ‘offense’ needs to be forgotten about.

However, Oklahoma again has a high flying offense led by what appears to be a really good quarterback. If the Wildcats are going to win, they need to create pressure and turnovers early, put the offense on their heels, and force tempo. The offense must show better execution and the ability to convert third downs.

Again, Kansas State will be better, but likely fall to the Sooners, as the offense will run away in the second half.

Final score prediction: Oklahoma 42, Kansas State 24