2007 Kansas State Wildcats Football Predictions & Season Preview


June 5, 2008 | Posted By Larry Cook

Head coach Ron Prince produced a winning season for Kansas State in his first year as head coach. That in itself is a huge accomplishment. A bowl game seemed like a far cry heading into the season, but huge wins over Texas and Oklahoma State during the regular season got the Wildcats to their goal. Quarterback Josh Freeman is only a sophomore but now knows that this is his team. He will have a totally different mindset for the 2007 season which should help Kansas State reach another bowl bid.

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Freeman led the Wildcats to their first bowl game in 3 years while setting a freshman school record with 1,780 passing yards and kept on improving. In the last 4 games of the regular season, Freeman was 78 for 121 (64.5 percent) for 925 yards and six touchdowns. For the Wildcats to get where they believe they can, they will have to develop a steady running game. Senior James Johnson emerged from sproing as a starter by displaying improved speed and assertiveness. Leon Patton is back after a team high 609 yards and a freshman school record in his ’06 campaign. This 1-2 combination could be the answer the Wildcats are looking for.

Senior Jordy Nelson averaged 14 yards per catch at wideout last year despite being hampered by a knee injury. Now healthy, Nelson should be able to improve on his 669 yards and an impressive 8 touchdowns in 2007. Up to five receivers will get a shot at playing time early in the season. The offensive line returns 3 starters with much experience led by junior Jordan Bedore at center. Three juniors, a senior and a sophomore will be asked to carry this team with their leadership up front.

Ian Campbell and Eric Childs were forced to play defensive ends as 230-pounders in a 4-3 scheme last season on defense. Now Childs and Campbell move to outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme this year which will suit this team much better. Campbell has 11.5 sacks to tie a school record and 17.5 tackles for loss which led the Big 12. He is a playmaker like the Wildcats have never seen before on this side of the ball.

The defensive line has Rob Jackson who can make plays at end and senior Moses Manu has shown much improvement. Junior Reggie Walker has played solidly at linebacker but now will have to be a star in the middle and become more physical. Senior inside linebacker Justin Roland was the spring’s biggest surprise. Kansas State looks good in the secondary, returning three starters in cornerbacks Joshua Moore and Justin McKinney, along with Marcus Watts at strong safety. Gary Chandler, a junior college All-American, comes over to Wildcat country to make this one of the best secondaries in the Big 12.

Ron Prince’s first season with the Wildcats was a success after Kansas State came off of two losing seasons. Josh Freeman has to progress as a starter, especially with six true road games on the Wildcats’ schedule. Games at Auburn and at Texas can’t be expected to end in their favor, but a .500 season with another shot at a bowl bid is not out of the question. Contending for the Big 12 North title won’t be out of their grasp either.

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