Kansas State Wildcats
2000 record: 11-3 (6-2)
Coach: Bill Snyder (13th year, 99-43-1).
Starters returning: 6 offense, 3 defense, punter.
Outlook: The last time K-State lost this many starters, in 1998, the Wildcats went onto an 11-1 season and a Holiday Bowl win. Of course, the Cats won that many games thanks in part to a cupcake schedule. The Wildcats won't have that luxury this year, opening their regular season against USC and the Big 12 slate against Oklahoma.
K-State's first bit of business will be to find a replacement for two-year starter Jonathan Beasley. That may not be as hard as Snyder would like people to believe.
For all of Snyder's praise of Beasley, he still only completed of 37.4 percent of his passes in K-State's big games last year -- against Oklahoma, Nebraska and Texas A&M.
Redshirt freshman Ell Roberson and junior college transfer Marc Dunn have the skills to be better. Roberson is a Michael Bishop-like slasher, while Dunn has a rocket arm. Either one will be complemented by a tough backfield tandem -- tailback Josh Scobey and fullback Rock Cartwright.
Defensively, linebacker Ben Leber and safety Jon McGraw lead an inexperienced group that needs immediate help in the interior line and backfield. Defensive end Melvin Williams, a junior, has the potential to beef up the line. In the secondary, speedy Terence Newman and DeMarcus Faggins must step up to help replace Jerametrius Butler, who left early for the NFL.
Keep an eye on: Aaron Lockett. Lockett, the brother of Washington Redskins receiver Kevin Lockett, already has more than 2,000 yards receiving for the Wildcats. The 5-7, 165-pound Lockett, an almost polar opposite to his 6-foot, 190-pound brother, has the speed and slashing ability to make up for the loss of Quincy Morgan and break open games.
Key game: at Oklahoma Sept. 29. The Wildcats will be trying to beat Oklahoma for the third time in less than a year. Fortunately, they have a chance to get to Oklahoma while the Sooners' new quarterback is still young. Unfortunately, K-State's quarterback still will be inexperienced, making a Norman conquest difficult.
It's a good year if... K-State's quarterback and defense come into their own. The Wildcats are going for their fifth straight 11 win season, but that may be a tall order. Realistically, the Wildcats can expect at least 8 wins but with a few breaks, K-State could be in the Big 12 title game playing for a BCS bowl bid.
Todd Cooper is a staff writer for the Omaha World-Herald.
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