Avoiding Friday Sports Center

If your a loyal, regular viewer of ESPN's staple program, Sports Center, then you'll know that on Friday they air their Not Top Ten Plays of the week. Where they show the most embarrassing sports-related moments of the week. Kansas State almost landed itself a guaranteed top-5 spot in this Friday's list. And I'm not even talking about the Eco-Cat fiasco that broke out last week on the internet. I'm talking about something much worse.

Avoided SI too? 

Kansas State about became the latest BCS school to fall to a FCS opponent. A feat that has been occurring more often in the last 5 years (Appalachian State over Michigan, North Dakota State over Kansas, Sacramento State over Oregon State, and Jacksonville State over Ole Miss). Although this does show a minor shrink in the talent gap between FCS schools and BCS schools, talent was not the issue in Kansas State's troubles. The majority of K-State's problems were self-inflicted and mental mistakes.

Despite more than doubling Eastern Kentucky's total yardage, having 3 times the amount of first downs and having 9 times the yards per rush, K-State trailed the game with just few minutes left in the 4th quarter. This was because the Wildcats managed to rack up 5 turnovers to Eastern Kentucky's 2. The key turnover was a fumble by Bryce Brown that was returned to the 1 yard line. The defense then gave up its only score; which Bill Snyder doesn't exactly consider to be a touchdown against the defense, like many fans.

On a more positive note, K-State's biggest question mark coming into this season was its defense, who performed more like the pre-retirement, Snyder defenses than the post-retirement ones. The defense fought a short field many times, offensive and special team turnovers, but did not give in to the adversity they faced. The front 7 put pressure on the quarterback multiple times including 4 sacks including 2 from   Senior DE, Jordan Voelker. The secondary withstood a setback after Tysyn Hartman came out of the game permanently early in the game. Hartman's absence didn't seem to affect the defense or the secondary at all for that matter. Nigel Malone filled the void with his 2 interceptions, one to seal the game. Newcomer, Arthur Brown, led the defense in tackles and looks like a leader both on and off the field.
I'm not ready to push the panic button quite yet, K-State had to replace many key positions. They had to replace a 2nd round draft pick in Daniel Thomas along with having to get used to only seeing one man behind center, which has become a rarity in Bill Snyder's recent years. Overall, the defense is much improved from last years (not saying much) and the offense has the talent in place. As long as the leadership and drive to get better is in the locker room, Bill Snyder will get them going in the right direction. With two weeks to prepare for the next game against Kent State, this game will be more to write about. If the offensive unit can't find a way to coincide and erase silly turnovers, then these concerns being shouted out will become louder.

Arthur Brown attempting a tackle

Until then, I will focus on the positive (solid defense and an offense that just underperformed) of last weeks game with a shade of concern (weak offensive line, killer turnovers/penalties, and inconsistent quarterback play). I expect the season to be competitive and hard fought, just by the first game, I can tell there is a fire on the defensive end that wasn't within 30 miles of last years defense. Defense is what wins in any sport, so if we can get the ball into the hands of our playmakers more consistently and not have 5 turnovers (not asking too much), K-State will be right back on the fans' good gracious before Big 12 season even starts.