The B.O.T.C. are getting together once a week to answer the hard questions. Today we take on preseason expectations, good surprises, and what area needs the most improvement.
Hi everyone, we’re trying something new on Fridays, starting today! Every week someone on the staff will pick a topic, and everyone will provide an answer. As a site wide round table, we highly encourage everyone to leave their answers in comment section as well. Hope you like it. – Drew
Topic
Taking into consideration the first 3 games, have your expectations for the season changed?
What is one aspect of the team that has impressed you thus far?
What’s one aspect of the team that has to improve for the ‘Cats to reach their full potential?
Jon Morse
1) Going in, I expected us to start 3-0; I also expected us to have concerns about the passing game, and I was concerned about a few games on the schedule. Now, we are 3-0, we have concerns about the passing game, and I am concerned about a few games on the schedule. So, I guess my expectations haven’t changed, huh?
2) The front six have just been astonishingly good, both the first and second strings. We’ve seen no lapse in production when the starters take a breather, and they’ve been able to last late into the game at full speed. It’s been a thing of beauty to behold.
3) The passing game. As I noted in Friday night’s recap, Avery Johnson seems fine when he’s rolling out or trying to escape pressure, but when it’s a standard drop-back passing play, things have been a little sketchy. This indicates to me that things like timing patterns aren’t locked down, and that’s something that’s only going to improve with repetition.
Drew Schneider
It’s interesting, if you asked me this question after the Tulane game, I would have said yes. I didn’t see a Big 12 winning defense on the field. After the Arizona game, I’m much more comfortable with my preseason prediction of the ‘Cats fighting it out at the top of the conference for a chance to go to the playoffs (that feels really weird to type).
I thought linebackers would be an issue this season, but through 3 games, Romaine has been an absolute monster. He’s leading the team in tackles, tackles for loss (tied with Tobi), and a half sack behind the team lead in sacks. Not far behind is fellow linebacker Austin Moore. He hasn’t been as prolific in the tackling department, but he’s creating chaos behind the line of scrimmage with 2.5 tackles for loss (.5 behind Romaine), and a sack. Throw in Rex Van Wyhe playing well in consistent minutes and the second line of the K-State defense looks solid.
The wide receivers have to be better. Jayce Brown has been OK, and has looked explosive at times, but other than that…consider me unimpressed. Keagan Johnson continues to dominate the offseason, but for whatever reason doesn’t get the looks in the game. Trey Spivey has exceeded expectations, but my expectations weren’t very high. I don’t even want to talk about Dante Cephas at the moment, because I don’ have anything good to say. Someone out of this group has to step up and make an impact outside of Jayce Brown, and Brown needs to be more consistent overall. If he’s the lead guy, he can’t have 1 reception for 17 yards in a tight game against Tulane. You find a way to get your guy the ball in a game like that, which makes me question if Brown is THE guy or just A guy. The game at BYU should bring the receiver room a little more in focus.
Adam Stewart
In the offseason, I thought we had as good of a chance as anyone to make the playoff. Just have to be in the top two of the league then win the B12CG. Someone has to win it, why not K-State? At 3-0, I still think that way, but I’m less confident of the chances. K-State isn’t so good, and the Big 12 isn’t so bad, that we can expect a trip to Arlington without grinding out a couple of hard, ugly wins, and I don’t know if the whole team is ready for that yet.
I’ve been pleased with the defense’s ability to keep the offense in front of them. Through 3 games, the D has only given up one touchdown from long field goal range, and none from outside of field goal range. It can be frustrating to watch a bend-but-don’t-break defense as a fan, but more snaps mean more chances for a drive-ending mistake.
I want to see the passing game show they can execute a good two-minute drill under pressure. If we want to make the playoff, then the offense needs to be able to execute with the game on the line.
Wildcat00
I think my expectations for the season were that Kansas State would contend for a Big 12 title, and so far, I have seen nothing so negative that I would need to lower that expectation. But if I’m being honest, the rest of the Big 12 seems less impressive than a few weeks ago, and that—more than the team’s performance through the first three games—is reaffirming my view that the Cats have a real shot.
As for improvement, I’m actually a little stunned at Avery Johnson not being as good a passer right out of the gate as I thought he was. I don’t think it’s a mechanics issue or even an issue of play calling or routes run by the receivers (thought it may be that his timing is off?). I think he’s unsure of himself when in the pocket and is overanalyzing the situation. When he’s on the run, he’s working off instinct and adrenaline and doesn’t have time to think, so he’s somehow terrific. That said, there was improvement from last week to this week, and even from the first quarter to the fourth. So, I have a good feeling about his progress over the course of the season.
Eric Rubottom
1) Given widespread expectations of vying for a conference championship, I’d say no – expectations haven’t changed. We’re still on track, and while the Tulane game brought the reason of those expectations into question, the Arizona game made it seem more solidly reasonable again.
It’s hard not to jump on the bandwagon, but there’s room for all of us – this front six is pretty damned good. They’ve been borderline spectacular stuffing the ground game, and if they’re not already in the opposing QB’s living room off the first snap, they’ve all got such good motors they’ll wear the opposing OL down. Once that happens, it’s over.
Imma take a little different route on what needs to improve – and that’s kicking for points. Chris Tennant may very well be a great guy, and this is not disparaging him at all, but…every time he puts a foot on the ball is a sphincter-clenching moment. He reminds me of my golf game – can absolutely lace it at times, but for no reason at all, the next one might be a hosel-rocket out of bounds. We’re gonna need to put the ball on his foot to win a game at some point, and there isn’t a one of us that’s going to feel comfortable with that.