Kansas State Wildcats 2007 Preview Capsule

Coach: Ron Prince (7-6) Second Year
Last Year: 7-6, 4-4, Big 12,  Third in the North
Returning Starters : Offense 7, Line 3 | Defense 6, Line 3

Three Things You Should Know
1) He doesn't get a lot of respect from KU fans or this blog, due to his smack talk prior to last year's Sunflower Showdown, but Ian Campbell (6-5, 232, #98) is respected as perhaps the best defensive end in the Big 12. Anthony Collins shut him down in Lawrence last year, but Campbell gets a break and will go up against Cesar Rodriguez on October 6. This will be one of the key matchups of the day. Of course, we'll see how that goes as it appears KSU is going to play a 3-4, using Campbell as an outside linebacker.
2) The front seven on defense projects to be pretty strong, but the secondary appears to be somewhat questionable. Senior free safety Marcus Watts (6-1, 191, #2) is the leader of the unit and a solid player. The corners are a little undersized at 5-9 and 5-10.
3) Sophomore QB Josh Freeman (6-6, 238, #1) racked up 15 interceptions last year versus six TD passes. The turnovers put the Cats out of a few games, but Freeman showed enough last year to believe that he will develop into one of the best quarterbacks in the Big 12.

Trends
We thought the Jayhawks had it bad opening conference play on the road three straight years ... KSU will open Big 12 play on the road for the eighth straight year. I'd recommend getting some purple protestors to march on the Big 12 office in Dallas.

How KU Wins
KSU travels to Texas and KU gets a bye week. If the 'Hawks come in 4-0, it would be their best start since 1995 and they should be full of confidence. Plus, getting to a bowl and winning the division are the goals you hear about, but the team is also eager to prove that they can win on the road. This is a huge opportunity as KSU could be 2-2 and KU will be focused on this one. Still, the KSU student section willed the Cats to victory in 2005 versus the quarterbackless Jayhawks. KU was better team that year and the Cats found a way to win. This year the teams are a little more even and KSU should be ready to go after taking on Auburn and Texas. The rivalry is back on and this should be a great game and atmosphere.

2007 Kansas State Schedule
Sat, Sep 1 at (18) Auburn
Sat, Sep 8 San Jose State
Sat, Sep 15 Missouri State
Sat, Sep 29 at (4) Texas
Sat, Oct 6 Kansas
Sat, Oct 13 Colorado
Sat, Oct 20 at Oklahoma State
Sat, Oct 27 Baylor
Sat, Nov 3 at Iowa State
Sat, Nov 10 at (20) Nebraska
Sat, Nov 17 Missouri
Sat, Nov 24 at Fresno State