CNNSI.com - 2000 College Football Preview - CNNSI.com's Kansas State preview

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Kansas State Wildcats

Personnel losses can't keep KSU from contending

College Football: The New Century

'99: 11-1, 7-1 Big 12

Coach

Bill Snyder (12th season, 88-40-1)

Key offensive players

David Allen, TB, Sr.
Elusive outside running threat (74 carries, 364 yards, six TDs) is also nation's most dangerous kick return threat.

Quincy Morgan, WR, Sr.
Big, tough receiver who averaged almost 49 yards per touchdown reception in 1999.

Jonathan Beasley, QB, Sr.
Hopes for better health after injury-riddled junior season limited his play in the second half of the year.

Johnno Lazetich, FB, Sr.
Look for more work this season after notching almost as many concussions (two) as carries (10) last season.

Key defensive players

Jarrod Cooper, SS, Sr.
Strong hitter who must improve his pass defensive skills.

Ivan Maisel's Player of the Century: Lynn Dickey, QB, 1968-70
"One of the few old-school Wildcats that could have started on the winning teams of the last decade."

Brightest Moment: Quarterback Michael Bishop passed for 317 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another to lead the Wildcats to a 35-18 victory over Syracuse in the 1998 Fiesta Bowl.

Lowest Moment: The Wildcats squandered a 15-point fourth-quarter lead and saw Texas A&M steal the '98 Big 12 title in overtime, sending K-State from the national title game to the Alamo Bowl.

Monty Beisel, DE, Sr.
His turn to emerge after KSU defense loses playmaking contributors like Darren Howard and Mark Simoneau.

Ben Leber, OLB, Jr.
Wildcats' lone returning linebacker starter moves outside to replace Simoneau.

Key newcomer

Ell Roberson, QB, Fr.
If his spring performance is any indication, redshirt could be starting by the time conference play begins.

Throwback player

DE Monty Beisel is a devastating speed rusher whose quickness helps him blast past bigger offensive linemen.

21st century player

The versatile Roberson could develop into the second-coming of Bishop if he continues his remarkable progress.

Fast fact

Allen needs 172 yards and one touchdown to become the NCAA's record holder for career punt-return yardage and scores.

Outlook

It's not a surprise anymore to see the Wildcats challenge Nebraska for North Division supremacy and earn a top 10 preseason ranking. More than anything else, it shows how far Snyder has rebuilt the KSU program. Now, the Wildcats are considered as conference title threats even though they lost leading rusher Joe Hall to grades, have a looming quarterback controversy and lose most of their playmaking threats on defense. If those questions are settled, the Wildcats can challenge Nebraska for the North Division title. It won't hurt having the Cornhuskers in Manhattan on Nov. 11 for the showdown game, either.

-- Tim Griffin