CNN/SI - 1999 College Football Conference Previews - CNN/SI's Kansas State team preview

Manhattan Project

Kansas State ('98: 11-2, 8-1 Big 12)

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Posted: Wednesday August 11, 1999 05:24 PM

The Plot

It's just like old times at K-State. The problem is, they aren't good old times. After nearly a decade of building upon the previous season, head coach Bill Snyder must lead his team through a rebuilding period. School rushing record-holder Eric Hickson is gone. Linebacker Mark Simoneau, a second-team All-America last year, is back to lead the defense, but just how well can any team handle losing 14 starters?

The Director

Bill Snyder -- 10th season; 77-39-1 overall

Starring

RB David Allen -- "Showtime Manhattan" put up huge numbers in his first two seasons as a return man and a specialty back.
LB Mark Simoneau -- As long as Simoneau is in the middle of the Kansas State defense, don't expect that points-surrendered average to slip much higher than last year's 13.6 a game.
SS Jarrod Cooper -- Big-hitting cover man leads a secondary that returns all five starters.

Co-starring

WR Aaron Lockett -- Sophomore goes from No. 2 man in the flats to the No. 1 man in the K-State aerial attack, with the departure of All-Big 12 wideout Darnell McDonald.
DE Darren Howard -- Want to know why the Wildcats were 10th in the nation against the rush last year? We'll give you a 6'4", 240-pound hint.

And introducing

DE Cliff Holloman -- Don't be surprised if the junior college All-America wins the open battle for the remaining DE slot.

Why it will work

Defense wins championships, right? The Wildcats have defensive talent to spare, including a tremendous returning secondary.

Why it won't

Too many new faces, too little cohesion. This team has more question marks than a joke book and collegiate football is not a sport of redemption -- one loss and the season can effectively be over.

Our critics review:

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