Kansas State opponent preview: UT-Martin

Our opponent series for the 2024 Kansas State season begins with the opener against UT-Martin. (All stats via bcftoys.com, collegefootballdata.com, and stats.ncaa.org)

LAST FIVE MEETINGS: First meeting between K-State and UT-Martin
2023 RECORD: 8-3 overall, 5-1 OVC/Big South. Tied for conference title for the third straight season.

UT-Martin tied for the lead in the newly-merged Ohio Valley and Big South Conference, though they lost to Gardner-Webb who matched their 5-1 conference record. Neither league has traditionally been one of the stronger FCS leagues, with the Big South-OVC finishing as the ninth best FCS league last year.

Only one of the Skyhawks’ eight wins came against teams in the top 50 of last year’s FCS SP+ ranking and that was against 4-7 Missouri State who plays in the Missouri Valley (by far the toughest league in the FCS). They should be out-matched by Kansas State.

COACH: Coach Jason Simpson enters his 18th season at UT-Martin with a 115-87 record, including two Big Sky conference titles, a pair of shared conference titles and two FCS playoff appearances. Obviously K-State head coach Chris Klieman coached in the FCS at the same time.

2023 REVIEW: The Skyhawks finished No. 21 and No. 25 in the two major FCS polls and No. 36 in the FCS SP+ with the 34th ranked offense and 45th ranked defense. UT Martin’s strength was on the offensive side of the ball where they ranked No. 7 in total offense, No. 8 in rushing offense and No. 20 in scoring offense. Defensively, they were strongest against the run (No. 6) and in the red zone (No. 9).

2024 PROJECTION: UT-Martin is picked to contend for the Big South-OVC with eight returning starters on offense, including their quarterback, top three receivers and a pair of all-conference offensive linemen. They lost All-American running back Sam Franklin to Oklahoma and their top three defensive linemen are gone.

KEY OFFENSIVE PLAYERS

QB Kinkead Dent: One of the top 20 returning quarterbacks in FCS football, Dent through for 2,295 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and had another 351 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
WR DeVonte Tanksley: The second team All-Big South-OVC selection led UT-Martin with 54 catches and 698 yards.
WR Zoe Roberts: Roberts led the Skyhawks with six touchdown receptions and caught 28 balls for 325 yards. Both he and Tanksley will be a nice first test for the Kansas State secondary.
RB Patrick Smith: The Vanderbilt transfer rushed for 327 yards and two scores last season for the Commodores and will be counted on to replace Sam Franklin’s 1,389 yards and 11 touchdowns.

KEY DEFENSIVE PLAYERS

CB Oshae Baker: Considered one of the top five returning cornerbacks in the FCS, Baker earned a first team All-Big South-OVC selection last year with 49 tackles, 10 passes broken up, one interception and seven tackles for loss.
CB JaMichael McGoy: McGoy earned second team all-league honors with a team-leading 12 passes broken up and a pair of interceptions to go with 28 tackles. He and Baker should give us a good gauge on the K-State receivers.
LB Jaylon Sharpe: The second team all-conference choice was second on the team with 63 tackles, and that included a team-leading 36 solo tackles and seven tackles for loss.
SS Carson Evans: Evans led the team with 65 tackles, along with four tackles for loss and four passes broken up.

KANSAS STATE WINS IF…

The Wildcats come out focused and ready against a solid FCS program.

K-STATE LOSES IF…

The Wildcats’ new offensive parts struggle and UT-Martin’s passing game is able to get going.

Prediction: Kansas State 49, UT-Martin 10