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Bill Snyder is uneasy about making predictions, but a national title isn't out of the question. Snyder admitted, "I expect a great deal out of this team." The Wildcats return the explosive tandem of quarterback Ell Roberson and running back Darren Sproles, who helped the Wildcats average 44.8 points per game last season. Despite the loss of All-America defensive back Terence Newman and the early departure of linebacker Terry Pierce, the defense, which ranked second in the nation in yards allowed in 2002, is stacked with stars-to-be. "Guys aren't going to be able to say 50 years from now to their grandkids, 'Hey we went 11-2 this year,' and be proud about it," defensive end Andrew Shull said. "We want something to stand on. We've never won 12 games. That's our goal as a team." OFFENSIVE KEYS: A majority of the skill players return to an explosive offense that finished second nationally in scoring and fifth in rushing (264.5). Roberson and Sproles are two of the top three returning scorers in the Big 12 and offer an electrifying one-two punch. "Is there any better?" Sproles asked of the Wildcat offense. "I don't think so."Roberson, the only K-State quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards, has mastered the offense and should top the school's all-time mark for total offense (5,779), while Sproles, a junior, needs 863 rushing yards to become the school's all-time leading rusher (2,537). Roberson could finish as the winningest quarterback in K-State history, and Sproles enters with a string of nine straight 100-yard games intact. Senior James Terry has the prototype build (6-foot-5 and 185 pounds) and big-play ability to make him a constant threat. But a largely unproven offensive line, aside from All-Big 12 selection Nick Leckey, must gain chemistry prior to the Big 12 season. DEFENSIVE KEYS: K-State must replace Newman and Pierce to maintain the same cranium-crunching tenacity that helped the Wildcats lead the nation in scoring defense (11.8). But K-State returns linebackers Josh Buhl and Bryan Hickman, its leading tacklers and emotional leaders, and the unit is stacked with stars-to-be."We'll coach them up," Hickman said. "We're not going to settle for anything less than them doing a good job because this year we want to come out No. 1." Senior strong safety Rashad Washington is a hard-hitting, turnover-minded player who has Newman's leadership ability. The defense needs cornerback Randy Jordan (nine career starts) to step up now that he has an expanded role. There is a quartet of talented prospects competing to fill Newman's shoes at the other corner. Shull is the only returning starter on a line that lost 69 career starts, but there's incoming talent in the middle. Jermaine Berry could be a monster at nosetackle. SPECIAL TEAMS: Joe Rheem has limited range, and the Wildcats had the league's third-poorest conversion rate on extra point attempts. Jared Brite did not punt last season, and after averaging 40.7 yards on 18 punts in 2001, he must become a serviceable performer.Sproles and Evans are the top punt returners. Sproles will head up the kickoff return duties after taking four kickoffs back for 84 yards. FINAL ANALYSIS: K-State's depth provides a host of talent across the board that needs to jell during the soft nonconference schedule before embarking on the toughest Big 12 test this season -- a trip to Texas. K-State will enter the conference opener with redemption in mind after the Longhorns barely escaped Manhattan 17-14 last season. For Roberson, a native of Baytown, Texas, it will mark an important first step toward an undefeated season. The Wildcats' eight-game home slate includes just two postseason bowl teams, Marshall and Colorado. A matchup at Nebraska, where K-State hasn't won since 1968, could provide the only potential bump down the stretch.Snyder is warning his team not to take anything for granted, but Roberson-led K-State has plenty of potential for a memorable year. • Click here for complete index of 2003 team previews
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