Week 1 of college football typically features plenty of lopsided matchups between FBS and FCS schools. The FBS vs FCS matchups have historically become blowouts, but recently that has not been the case. With the upsets that shook the country in the early parts of last season, it is hard to look past any opponent in 2022.
All eyes are going to be on the Wildcats for this one as Kansas State battles the South Dakota Coyotes. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CST in Manhattan, KS. There are high hopes for the Wildcats this year.
Will the Wildcats Get Over the Hump?
Head coach Chris Klieman returns for his fourth season with the Wildcats. He has posted an overall record of 20-16 over three years with an 8-5 record in two of the past three seasons.
Kansas State has a couple of reasons to be riding high going into their season. They are coming off of a big 42-20 bowl win against a formidable LSU team and fall camp has been productive on both sides of the ball.
The Wildcats are going to be led on offense by quarterback Adrian Martinez. The signal caller will look to replace Skylar Thompson who departed for the NFL. Martinez, who transferred from Nebraska, threw 14 touchdown passes and added 13 touchdowns on the ground last season, which will provide the Wildcats with a spark when it comes time to improvise. Malik Knowles and Phillip Brooks Jr. should provide some ability to separate downfield at wide receiver and make Martinez’s job a little easier. Deuce Vaughn returns at running back on the heels of an 18-touchdown campaign in 2021, that showed why he is considered one of the most dynamic athletes in the entire country. Overall, the Wildcats return seven offensive starters and look to build on last season’s success.
Defensively, there will also be seven returning starters who will be looking to provide the experience needed to make a championship run. Since switching to their 3-3-5 defense last season, the ‘Cats have managed to drastically improve total defense and points allowed. Top tackler Daniel Green will be back this season and will be joined by veteran Felix Anudike-Uzomah, who tallied 11 sacks last year. Safety is one area of the defense which may struggle early in the season, but transfer Drake Cheatum from Prairie View A&M should help bolster the position. Kansas State’s defense should outplay the South Dakota offense, although opening weekend has been known for chaos.
Upset Alert in Manhattan?
It is no longer the day for FCS opponents to be overlooked. Last season, 12 FCS opponents defeated FBS opponents including multiple early-season letdowns. The Coyotes will look to be next in line to make history with an upset. After a 7-5 season in 2021, they are hoping to become a legit contender at the national level in the FCS subdivision. Sitting just outside of the FCS Top 25, an early win would surely propel them into the conversation.
Quarterback Carson Camp returns for the Coyotes after starting every game last season and throwing for a stellar 17 touchdowns. South Dakota does not bring back a lot of experience on defense, but defensive lineman Brendon Webb will be one to watch for the Coyotes.
Kansas State vs. South Dakota Prediction
Coach Chris Klieman is 23-13 against the spread so far during his tenure at Kansas State and the Wildcats have serious aspirations to be in the mix for a Big 12 title this season. If South Dakota can start fast on offense and create issues for an inexperienced Kansas State secondary, the first half could end up being interesting.
Betting lines aren’t available at many places yet, but a spread around 25 would be expected. If the Wildcats play smart football and the playmakers live up to their preseason hype, their Power 5 talent will be too much for the Coyotes and this game could definitely look more like a 30-point spread at the final whistle.
