We’re just under three weeks away from the college football season starting on September 12th.  K-State opens against Arkansas State.  Chris Klieman led the 2019 Cats to an 8-4 record which has the fan base excited about the possibilities in 2020.  In this “From The Couch,” let’s see what people around the country are saying about the 2020 Wildcats.

“They’re changing coordinators and getting most of their starters back (on defense). They could make a jump this year.”…Athlon Sports, August 18th, 2020

JM:  Athlon asked Big 12 coaches to anonymously comment on their Big 12 opponents going into the 2020 season.  This coach thinks K-State is going to take a jump up this season.

“7. Kansas State

Chris Klieman delivered one of the best debuts by a new coach last fall, guiding K-State to an 8-5 finish and a winning record (5-4) in Big 12 games. Klieman will have his work cut out this offseason, as the Wildcats return just nine starters and face five Big 12 contests – including swing games against West Virginia, TCU and Baylor – on the road. Finishing in the top half of the Big 12 requires a rebuild in the trenches. All five starters along the offensive line are gone, and the defense only brings back one (Wyatt Hubert) off a group that ranked eighth in the conference versus the run. Quarterback Skylar Thompson is primed for a big senior year, and Klieman’s defense can build around a solid group of linebackers and secondary this fall.”…Steve Lassan, Athlon Sports, June 15th, 2020

JM:  Athlon Sports predicts a 7th place finish for K-State in the Big 12, while also becoming bowl eligible.  The bowl season will be interesting this year.  Not sure how that’s going to work.

“If they’re good right away, and the parts are filled, being in the Big 12 top two is possible.”…Pete Fiutak, College Football News, April 30th, 2020

JM:  By “filling the parts,” Fiutak is referring to the offensive and defensive lines. This quote was eye opening, saying second place is doable.

“T-1. Oklahoma Sooners 9-1 (8-1)
T-1. Oklahoma State Cowboys 9-1 (8-1)
T-1. Texas Longhorns 9-1 (8-1)
4. Baylor Bears 6-4 (5-4)
5. TCU Horned Frogs 5-5 (5-4)
6. Iowa State Cyclones 5-5 (4-5)
T-7. Kansas State Wildcats 3-7 (2-7)
T-7. Texas Tech Red Raiders 3-7 (2-7)
T-7. West Virginia Mountaineers 3-7 (2-7)
10. Kansas Jayhawks 2-8 (1-8) “…Kerry Miller, Bleacher Report, August 18th, 2020

JM:  And then there’s this.  Yikes!  I’ve never heard of Kerry Miller, but he has the Wildcats going 3-7 overall and 2-7 in the conference?  If this happens, K-State fans are going to riot Antifa-style outside of Bill Snyder Family Stadium!

“Phil Steele’s Take: “They draw 5 conf road games but do have a solid defense and [experienced] QB. They also have my #2 Special Tms in the B12. Despite me picking KSt here, I do think they get back to a bowl.”…Kevin Flaherty, 247Sports, July 28, 2020

JM: Phil Steele has K-State finishing in a tie for 7th place, but becoming bowl eligible.

“OU garnered 80 of the 90 first-place selections while Oklahoma State was picked second with six first-place votes and Texas was third with four first-place nods. Iowa State and Baylor rounded out the top five. TCU was selected sixth followed by Kansas State, West Virginia, Texas Tech and Kansas.”…Big12Sports.com, July 17th, 2020

JM:  The media picked K-State to finish 7th in the league in 2020.  This seems to be where the Cats are slotted by most.

Hopefully we’ll get some more predictions in the next couple of weeks.  I’ll post them here as they come in.  What do you think about the Cats’ chances in 2020?