BIG 12 21
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
UCLA game offers upset opportunity
By Justin Nutter Kansas State Collegian
Kansas State running back Daniel Thomas falls onto his teammate, Matt Wykes as he is tackled by Louisiana-Lafayette tackle Jonathan Decoster in the fourth quarter of last weekend's game. K-State goes up against UCLA this Saturday in California.
MANHATTAN — K-State's offense continues to try to establish an identity without the services of Josh Freeman.
Carson Coffman might be one of the nicest college athletes out there, but I'm not sure Wildcat Nation will tolerate much more of the lifeless offensive attack it saw in the season's first two weeks.
Bill Snyder seems pretty confident that Coffman has what it takes to be a Big 12 quarterback, but things aren't going to get any easier for the Peculiar, Mo., native as the season progresses.
K-State hasn't been shut out since Nov. 16, 1996, when the Wildcats were blanked 12-0 against Colorado. The Buffaloes' head coach at the time: Current UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel.
Coffman and Co. will have to bring their A-game to make sure "Slick Rick" doesn't hand the Wildcats another goose egg this weekend in Pasadena, Calif.
As if the stats aren't enough proof that the defense has indeed improved, the fundamentals have been the icing on the cake. I saw more form tackles last week against Louisiana-Lafayette than I did all last season.
On a lighter note, Daniel Thomas has been as good as advertised (if not better) so far, but will he be able to continue this pace against Big 12 teams every week? An existent passing game would sure help matters.
Speaking of K-State's defense, every member of the front four should be licking his chops. The Wildcats are about to face an inexperienced and injury-plagued offensive line that will be protecting a backup quarterback.
A quick breakdown of UCLA's options at signal caller: A true freshman who has two pass attempts in his collegiate career, or a redshirt senior who threw 20 interceptions and just seven touchdowns a year ago.
I won't say this too often, but it would probably be ill-advised for Neuheisel to go with experience over youth under center. After all, that experience led them to a 4-8 record last season.
- Regardless of who gets the nod to lead the offense, expect him to be running for his life all night. Jeffrey Fitzgerald might want to bring a tent and a sleeping bag to the game. He'll probably be camped out in the backfield quite a bit.
Even with the way things have looked thus far, Snyder and the Wildcats really seem to have a chance to return to Manhattan as Rose Bowl champions this weekend. (Well, figuratively speaking anyway.)
Even if K-State can't pull off a victory this weekend, things could be a lot worse for the Wildcats. Think about it. They could
be playing for Dan Hawkins at Colorado.
If you would have told me a month ago that K-State would lose to Louisiana-Lafayette then knock off UCLA a week later, I'd probably have told you to lay off the sauce. Now, I'm not so sure it's out of the question.
In other news, Darren Sproles made good
on his franchise tag with the San Diego Chargers Monday night, torching the Oakland Raiders for 246 all-purpose yards and a go-ahead touchdown with 18 seconds left in the game. Remember when the nation thought Sproles was too small to make it in the NFL?
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THE WAVE SEPTEMBER 18,2009