Kansas
Mizzou 2022 Opponent Preview: Kansas State Wildcats
Week 2 will see the Missouri Tigers tackle their first highway problem once they journey to Manhattan, KS to tackle Kansas State in a matchup that might be very telling for the Tigers in 2022. Ok
Kansas State chalked up an 8-5 document in 2021 and closed the season on a excessive observe, dismantling LSU 42-20 within the Texas Bowl. The Wildcats had the third-best protection within the Large 12 final season and the arrival of ex-Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez will make them a formidable opponent for Mizzou in early September.
Martinez would be the new man below heart for Ok-State, however the Wildcats received’t be the one ones with a brand new huddle caller as Missouri will exchange quarterback Connor Bazelak going into 2022. It’s nonetheless unclear who the Tigers’ starter shall be. Brady Cook dinner and Tyler Macon each took snaps final season, and head coach Eliah Dinkwitz has said he desires to provide star recruit Sam Horn a good shot on the job as properly.
Ok-State was ninth within the Large 12 offensively however scored over 30 factors seven occasions final season. Even with a powerful defensive efficiency, Mizzou should put up some factors to take house their first highway victory of the season.
Profitable the sector place battle shall be key, attributable to Kansas State’s mediocre crimson zone, protection and the Tigers might want to come away with touchdowns, not subject objectives once they get into hanging distance. If the Tigers’ inexperienced quarterbacks can handle the ball, it would put Mizzou in a great place to take house the W on Sep. 10.
Kansas State Wildcats
2021 Document: 8-5 (4-5 Large 12)
Head coach: Chris Kleiman
Kleiman is 20-16 in three years because the Kansas State head coach
Offensive set: Unfold
Defensive set: 3-3-5
Returning starters on offense: 5
Defensively, Missouri could have their palms full as Wildcat quarterback Martinez could have a gifted receiver room to work with. Martinez can also be a confirmed runner, who can harm defenses along with his legs simply as a lot as he can along with his arm. Tigers defensive ends Trajan Jeffcoat and Isaiah McGuire shall be counted on to include the shifty dual-threat QB. Mizzou’s secondary ought to maintain up as properly, anchored by cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. The main focus shall be on checking Martinez and stopping breakdowns in lengthy scrambles. Projected offensive starters:
QB Adrian Martinez
RB Deuce Vaughan
FB Ben Sinnott
WR Malik Knowles
WR Phillip Brooks
TE Sammy Wheeler
LT Cooper Beebe
LG KT Leveston
C Hadley Panzer
RG Taylor Poitier
RT Christian Duffie
Returning starters on protection: 7
Whichever quarterback takes the sector in Week 2 ought to take pleasure in going through a just-OK Kansas State move protection. The Wildcats have been ranked 44th within the FBS for move protection and misplaced their finest defensive again, security Russ yeast, who led the group in interceptions and move deflections final yr. Tigers followers will see a well-recognized face within the Wildcats’ secondary, as former Tiger cornerback Shawn Robinson transferred to Kansas State this spring.
The Tigers should capitalize within the crimson zone as Kansas State was one of many worst groups within the nation at defending contained in the 20-yard line. They have been 123rd in red-zone protection final season and gave up touchdowns 68% of the time. Mizzou’s switch working again Nathaniel Peat, who performed at Stanford in 2021, may do some harm on this space of the sector if the Tigers’ blocking holds up. Projected defensive starters:
DE Delix Anudike-Uzomah
DT Eli Huggins
DE Nate Matlack
LB Khalid Duke
LB Daniel Inexperienced
LB Will Honas
CB Ekow Boye Doe
CB Julius Brents
S TJ Smith
S Kobe Savage
FS Shawn Robinson
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