[gailtate]

It's almost impossible to judge how good K-State will be in 2021 based on 2020. Last year the Wildcats lost their first game to Arkansas State but had more than 20 players out due to Covid issues. K-State then beat Oklahoma in Norman, but the Wildcats' starting QB got hurt in the next game and they had to turn to a freshman QB. They managed to beat Texas Tech, TCU and Kansas, but then the metaphorical wheels fell off the bus and they ended the season with a five-game losing streak.

The Wildcats were picked to finish 7th (out of 10) in the Big 12 in the media preseason poll in 2021. However, the original starting QB from last year, Skylar Thompson, is returning, so I expect a real test for our defense.

So their starter at the beginning of last season returns as QB, as does the backup frosh who beat TTech and TCU. They play what is essentially a "home" game time-zone wise next month. Stanford lost the core of squad that finished 2020 with four straight wins. Untested QB. Good (not great) RBs, good (not great) receiving corps. and question marks all over the roster. Historically, not the best first-game-on-the-road-in-a-different-time-zone track record. Cats will have noise on their side. Not that it counts for much. But still. Cardinal must score early and often, all season long--beginning in Texas at 9AM. Edge to K-State. A slight one but an edge nonetheless.

[gailtate]

It's almost impossible to judge how good K-State will be in 2021 based on 2020. Last year the Wildcats lost their first game to Arkansas State but had more than 20 players out due to Covid issues. K-State then beat Oklahoma in Norman, but the Wildcats' starting QB got hurt in the next game and they had to turn to a freshman QB. They managed to beat Texas Tech, TCU and Kansas, but then the metaphorical wheels fell off the bus and they ended the season with a five-game losing streak.

The Wildcats were picked to finish 7th (out of 10) in the Big 12 in the media preseason poll in 2021. However, the original starting QB from last year, Skylar Thompson, is returning, so I expect a real test for our defense.

So their starter at the beginning of last season returns as QB, as does the backup frosh who beat TTech and TCU. They play what is essentially a "home" game time-zone wise next month. Stanford lost the core of squad that finished 2020 with four straight wins. Untested QB. Good (not great) RBs, good (not great) receiving corps. and question marks all over the roster. Historically, not the best first-game-on-the-road-in-a-different-time-zone track record. Cats will have noise on their side. Not that it counts for much. But still. Cardinal must score early and often, all season long--beginning in Texas at 9AM. Edge to K-State. A slight one but an edge nonetheless.