Bring on the Cats by VC!

Kansas State's fortunes, even though the Wildcats play 12 games this year, will come down to three games. The trifecta of UCLA on Sept. 4, Nebraska a month later and at Kansas the following week could very well determine if the Wildcats are still playing in December.

I'm already on record as saying the Cats go 7-5 this season which will earn K-State its first bowl game since Ron Prince (of all people) directed the Cats to a 37-10 loss to Rutgers in the 2006 Texas Bowl. I'm also on record as saying the Wildcats may take their Little Apple throng to the Big Apple as part of the New York Yankees Bowl against a Big East representative.

K-State can finish 7-5 and still lose two of those three games as noted above. I think K-State gets the job done on Labor Day weekend against the Bruins at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Too much Daniel Thomas and more importantly, too much Kansas heat and humidity for a UCLA team that will wear down thanks to a 2:30 p.m. kickoff that will be aired regionally on ABC. I know what it feels like these days at 5 p.m., which is about when the third quarter will be around the midway point. Gee, will Thomas have 40 carries by this point?

Its not a typical schedule where normally you play your four non-con games in September which lead to the conference slate in October and November. Not this year, baby!

After UCLA, Missouri State's Bears pay a visit to Manhattan. Even though it's a home game, the Sept. 18 game with Iowa State is at Arrowhead Stadium, the second of a two-year experiment where "Farmageddon" is played on neutral soil. Look for this series to continue in Kansas City, mainly the cash cow it provides for two schools that need the cash.

A Sept. 25 tilt with Central Florida should push K-State's record to 4-0 entering back-to-back Thursday night clashes with Nebraska and KU on ESPN. This is when talk of a great season will be defined or put to rest. A two-game sweep means a 6-0 start and Wildcat fans may be dreaming of bigger things. A split isn't bad and eight wins are still within reach. Lose those two and 7-5 may be as good as it gets.

I just hope the Cats don't lose both games to NU and KU. If so, an Oct. 23 game looms at Baylor. That's a place that's never been kind to Snyder's Cats, even when they were winning. Okie State and UT play in Manhattan next - two teams the Cats have usually handled in Manhattan. Then three road games to end the year - Missouri, Colorado and North Texas. The last time K-State played a non-con game the Saturday after Thanksgiving? Not pretty, big-time loss at Fresno State.

Now for the players. K-State's fortunes begin and end with No. 8, Daniel Thomas, a workhorse if there ever was one, and four returning offensive linemen. Three of the big men are seniors. Snyder will have to find someone to replace durable Nick Stringer at left tackle, and he thinks he may have that man in junior college transfer Zach Hanson, a 6-8, 313-pounder from Sacramento, Calif. Wow! 6-8, 313 pounds! How many "Beef on Buns with Fries" would that dude eat at Gates BBQ in Kansas City, thank you very much?

Thomas noted his attention this spring was ball security and footwork. They're not doubting this Thomas, not after he led the Big XII in rushing and averaged more than five yards per carry last year.

"I think he learned more about the nuances of the position, and learning how to slow down a little bit and finding the creases a little bit better," Snyder said.

Uh-oh. Imagine him a little better? Wow, strike up the Wabash Cannonball, baby! Hey Willie Wildcat, you better be working out because you may be doing more pushups each time Thomas bulls his way in to paydirt!

Last year, K-State's receiving corps was mainly Brandon Banks. He's gone, but the targets in 2010 include the likes of senior Aubrey Quarles and sophomore newcomers Brodrick Smith (6-2) and Chris Harper (6-1).

Smith, a transfer from Minnesota, caught 12 passes for 167 yards and 4 TDs in the spring game. He could be someone to watch out for as is Harper, who began his career at Oregon but came back to his native state (Wichita Northwest) when Snyder came back.

"The coaches said if I wanted to try to play professionally, wide receiver was my best option," said Harper, a former quarterback.

"He's got real quickness and speed for his size," Cat safety Tysyn Hartman noted. "He's going to be a hard player to stop."

Carson Coffman is expected to be under center. Let's just hope he gained a lot of confidence in the spring game where he threw for over 400 yards. I'm not sold with this pick and Collin Klein or Sammuel Lamur may be getting some snaps sooner than you think.

The defense will be fine as it trimmed two touchdowns off scores a year ago, giving up 23 points per game vs. the 35 a year before. And Brandon Harold is healthy at end after playing in just one game in 2009 after an All-American campaign in 2008 where he led all freshmen in the country with 10.5 tackles for loss.

Kadero Terrell, a former top juco recruit, is a key at linebacker. He missed last season due to injury.

Some say Snyder is too old, shouldn't have come back. I disagree. Heck, he may be the smartest man out there. Name me a coach who has the luxury of coaching in a stadium named after him. Nuf said.

Every Man A Wildcat!

My shout this week goes out to all the teachers and coaches who are about to return to the classroom all over this country. Without you, there would be no Friday Night Lights. To that, we say THANK YOU!