More than 100 Wildcats spent the summer in Manhattan preparing to take the program to another level this season. There is little room to grow, considering the successes of recent seasons. Bill Snyder's staff features four new assistants, after new Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops lured three coaches from K-State to Norman. And his roster boasts a few fresh faces as well. But Snyder's 10 years at the helm in Manhattan has produced a system that one season and several key graduation losses cannot unsettle. The first step is finding the replacements. A succession of super recruiting classes will provide a talent base from which to choose. The second step is getting them to perform to the high standards that annually define the conference's title fight.

The Wildcats suffered a potentially crippling blow when running back Frank Murphy broke a bone in his foot during conditioning drills on July 28. The injury could keep him out as long as eight weeks. That cedes the No. 1 running back spot to David Allen, who might likely have earned it outright were Murphy healthy. The nation's most dynamic return man last season, Allen returned punts for touchdowns in three consecutive games and tied an NCAA record with four TD returns. He broke his own Big 12 record with 730 yards in punt returns.

K-State also must replace two of its top three receivers, with wideout Aaron Lockett (44 catches) the lone returnee. Brandon Clark and JC standout George Williams will compete for the other wideout spot. To beef up the offensive line, Snyder has moved Damion McIntosh to left tackle from defensive tackle, where he started last year. Randall Cummins and Milford Stephenson return to start at center adn tackle, respectively.

Linebacker Mark Simoneau and end Darren Howard are the only returning starters from the front seven. It's expected that McIntosh will move from offense to defense, creating a vacancy at tackle. Nilijah Mcoy sat out last season with a blood clot in his leg, but is expected to step in for McIntosh. Howard and Monty Beisel are a hard-hitting pair of defensive ends who should contend for all-league honors. They will also benefit from Snyder's typically excellent junior college recruiting. JC all-America end Cliff Holloman should make his presence felt in his first season with the Wildcats. Aside from Simoneau, a second-team all-American back at one outside linebacker spot, K-State will be a bit inexperienced at the position. Travis Litton and Ben Leber are the odds-on choices to step in at one outside spot, and in the middle, respectively. Leber is just a sophomore.