Nov 25, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats running back DJ Giddens (31) is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Carson Willich (14) and defensive back Beau Freyler (17) during the fourth quarter at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Editor’s note: 12th in a 12-part series previewing each of Iowa State’s 2024 regular-season opponents.
AMES — Big 12 media members tabbed Kansas State as the second-best team in the league earlier this month, but not far behind conference newcomer, Utah.
Curiously, though, not a single Wildcats player earned a spot on the media’s preseason all-league team.
Head coach Chris Klieman’s response? A rote one.
“Everybody sees it, but it’s not something that we talk about an awful lot,” the Waterloo native and former Northern Iowa assistant told reporters at Big 12 media days earlier this month in Las Vegas.
Klieman has good reason to ignore any perceived slights heading into the season. The Wildcats are replete with starpower this season — some proven, some unproven — and will likely roll into Jack Trice Stadium on Nov. 30 looking to solidify a spot in the Big 12 title game.
Dynamic sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson high-steps into the starter’s role full-time after Will Howard left for Ohio State. His ability to run, coupled with the return of star tailback D.J. Giddens (1,226 rushing yards, 10 touchdowns) last season, will make the Wildcats dangerous on the ground every week. Kansas State also plucked Dylan Edwards of Colorado from the transfer portal, and he can make explosive plays in both the run and the pass games.
New stars need to emerge at tight end and wide receiver — and picking up Dante Cephas from the transfer portal should help in that regard.
Both the offensive and defensive lines must replace some important pieces, but the linebacking corps is excellent, as is the back end of the Wildcats’ defense.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State: 3 things to watch
**What can ISU tailback Abu Sama do for an encore? The former Southeast Polk star showcased his straight-line speed in the snow against Kansas State last season, carrying the ball 16 times for an astonishing 276 yards and three touchdowns in a 42-35 win in Manhattan. The conditions had something to do with that, of course, and Sama — along with the offensive line — will need to be far more consistent on the ground this season.
**How to contain Avery Johnson? The 6-2, 198-pound sophomore from Wichita has all the tools to be a star. He rushed for seven touchdowns as a freshman last season, but struggled with his accuracy in the passing game, connecting on just 56 % of his throws. Johnson did, however, throw five touchdown passes without getting intercepted once.
**Will big plays be the difference? Recent history says yes. ISU was tied for 103rd in allowing gains of 50 yards or greater last season (nine) and Kansas State was tied for 118th (11). The Cyclones have won four of the past six meetings after suffering through a 10-game skid in the series largely because of big plays on both sides of the ball.
2024 prognosis
The Wildcats, like Utah — ISU’s week 11 foe on the road — expect to contend for a spot in the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff. The Cyclones’ ample returning production on both sides of the ball and recent success in the series will, at minimum, give them a chance to play spoiler. Expect a one-score game.
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Publish date : 2024-07-24 09:50:38
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