6
Wednesday, August 18, 1976
University Daily Kansan
Staff photo by JAY KOELZER
Mike Butler, a pre-season All-America pick
Predictions
From page five
Missouri has what is probably the most potent passing attack in the Big Eight. Its quarterback, Steve Piaskiewicz, has been one of the greatest passions and was the Big Eight's leading passer.
The Tigers did lose their three top receivers to graduation, but the coaching staff said it was pleased with the performance in spring practice of slotback Joe Stewart, a returning letterman, and the other Missouri receivers. All five starters on the offensive line of Missouri are returning.
Defense might be what keeps Missouri from the gold at the end of the rainbow—a post-season bowl bid. Hurt knees and inexperience on the line and a questionable secondary make some observers think MU is vulnerable.
SEVENTH. Iowa State—4-7 last year; 36
lettermen returning; nine starters lost.
Earle Bruce talked very little about his football team at the recent Big Eight Kickoff Lanchoe. The reason he did so was that he's not so sure about the Cyclones himself. He doesn't know whether mankind can survive in the future and can come back from crippling injuries. He doesn't know whether his quarterback will be Buddy Hardeman or Wayne Stanley.
He is worried about his offensive line. He knows in Mike Williams, a running back, and Lather Blue, wide receiver, he has the game-breaking offensive players he needs. But if the line doesn't block for them, ISU is in trouble.
The defensive line is another question mark. The Cyclones were last in total defense last season. Their line was much of the problem. Iowa State appears to be solid at linebacker and sufficient in their secondary, but lacks depth there.
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--be even stronger this year, lack of experience in the offensive line and the loss of quarterback Jake Hatcher will make it more difficult to improve on last year's 3-4 record.
EIGHTH: Kansas State—34 last season;
15etter remaining; 8lightstarts lost.
It may seem unfair to predict that Kansas State will repeat as the Big Eight's cellar wizard, but there is hope that the Wildcats will be able to improve on their lastplace finish last year.
Hatcher, who was strong in spring practice, suffered a severe kidney injury in the K-State varsity-alumni game that ended his football career.
Although K-State has an impressive defense, was strong last season and likely to
In coach Ellis Rainberger's own words, "We can't win unless we put points on the board, no matter how good our defense is." Rainberger might have the finest pair of backlayers in the Big Eight in Gary Spani and Carl Pennington, who combined for almost 300 tackles last year. Still, they get tired on the field all afternoon.
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