KSO Panel: Predicting Kansas State's record, the Big 12 finish and MVPs of the season

We asked the KSO panel to predict the final record for Kansas State, the Big 12 champions and the offensive and defensive MVP for the Wildcats.

KANSAS STATE RECORD

DY: I’ll keep it consistent. I have shared on other outlets and podcasts that I predict Kansas State to go 10-2.

That actually includes wins over Oklahoma, Oklahoma State and Texas. They catch the Sooners at the right time, early in the year where they are still transitioning coaching staffs and a very new roster. The Cowboys are down Jim Knowles at defensive coordinator and have to travel to Manhattan.

The matchup with the Longhorns is a revenge contest, this time at home, and I am not certain that Steve Sarkisian has actually repaired the culture in Austin.

However, I do have the Wildcats falling to TCU and Baylor. Playing the Horned Frogs on the road comes at a tricky part of the schedule, even if after a bye week, and that is an improved bunch. Dave Aranda and the Bears should have the kinks worked out by the end of the year and pose a major threat.

FLANDO: 9-3. 

I really like what K-State has to offer this season, and I think they can get a 10th win in their bowl game. However, I can’t anoint Adrian Martinez as a godsend that will undoubtedly lead them to a Big 12 championship. 

That could change if he proves that he has erased the late-game mishaps that plagued him at Nebraska. He is good enough to compete for a title appearance with the pieces that Chris Klieman has assembled on both sides of the ball. My prediction is indicative of that.

But there simply hasn’t been enough winning in Martinez’s collegiate background for me to commit to the quarterback taking the Wildcats to the promised land in his one and only season in Manhattan. 

DREW: 9-3.

Kansas State should make it through the non-conference portion of the schedule unscathed. The first loss of the season likely comes at the hands of Oklahoma to start Big 12 play. It will be a very close game, but K-State can’t quite pull it out in Norman. I’d feel better if it was in Manhattan.

I do have the Wildcats defeating Texas Tech, and jumping on the road to knock off Iowa State before falling to TCU. The Horned Frogs are another team where I’m not really sure what to expect, but it can be a tricky one for Kansas State.

Prevailing against Oklahoma State and Texas gives the Wildcats another two-game winning streak follows the loss to TCU. But they finish by dropping the contest Waco to Baylor before trouncing to West Virginia and Kansas.

BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP PREDICTIONS

DY: As indicated by my 10-2 prediction, I do see K-State making it to Arlington. However, I have remained steadfast that they fall to Baylor for the second time of the season in the Big 12 Championship Game, and the Bears repeat at the top of the conference.

FLANDO: It is totally up for grabs. I could see any of Baylor, Kansas State, Oklahoma, Oklahoma State or Texas taking the top spot in the league. 

K-State is catching their stride with a lot of the roster, and they might have the most explosive player in the country in Deuce Vaughn. I’m tempted to pick the Wildcats to win it, but I am not ready to fully buy into Adrian Martinez taking care of the ball enough to win 10 games.

Brent Venables should instill a better defensive mindset to a program that hasn’t paid much attention to that side of the ball in years. As much as I think the Sooners can make it to Arlington, I don’t think they will bring home the trophy in his first season.

Elite defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving Stillwater and Spencer Sanders not being nearly as dynamic as his preseason All-Big 12 team selection would indicate, forces me to overlook the Cowboys making back-to-back Big 12 title appearances.

As much talent as Steve Sarkisian has in Austin, he really isn’t a coach I’m worth betting on until he produces legitimate results.

Ultimately, I’m going with the most undeniable coach, Dave Aranda.

He has an extremely sharp mind and the Bears might have the best offensive line in the conference. I know there are some question marks around the other parts of the roster since they lost so much from last season, but I think Aranda will steer them in the right direction. 

A great offensive line with a solid defense can win a lot of football games by itself. Add in a tremendous coach and I see Baylor being Big 12 champs.

DREW: The Big 12 is as wide open as it has ever been, and though I am not confident, I chose Baylor to repeat as conference champions.

Dave Aranda might be the best coach in the league, and I really like what we saw from Blake Shapen at quarterback to end the season. The Bears will also be very strong along both lines.

Where they might struggle a bit to start the season is replacing a lot of talent in the back seven of their defense, but Aranda is one of the best defensive minds in college football. The offense does just enough to push them into Arlington and they ride the coattails of their defense for another league title.

OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE MVP

DY: If Kansas State is 10-2 and playing in Arlington at the end of the season, it is because Adrian Martinez remained as dynamic under center as he has throughout his career but practiced ball security in Manhattan.

I love Deuce Vaughn, and he is the best player for the Wildcats, but Martinez is the most valuable if K-State makes it to the Big 12 Championship Game.

Defensively, Julius Brents may end up having the best season of anyone on that side of the ball, but the MVP is likely Daniel Green. They are thinner at linebacker than I anticipated and he is on the verge of having a monster season behind one of the best defensive lines in the league.

FLANDO: Deuce Vaughn is a potential Heisman Trophy candidate this season. If it weren’t for that, I would pick Adrian Martinez. The quarterback is always the most important position in football, but Vaughn is truly one of the most electric players in college football.

It feels like I would be disrespecting him if I didn’t choose him for the answer. 

Felix Anudike-Uzomah proved last season he is one of the best edge rushers in the game. He will be drafted to the NFL accordingly. He single-handedly won K-State games a year ago, and I won’t be shocked if he pulls off some similar theatrics this season.

He’s a big and and strong defensive end that isn’t afraid to blow up a double team. Drawing that kind of attention is so valuable for freeing up other Wildcats to make plays on the quarterbacks and other ball-carriers. He’s a dominating force that cannot be overlooked.

DREW: My offensive MVP is Adrian Martinez. It feels like a bit of a cop-out answer picking the quarterback who is the most important player on the football field for every team, but it truly feels like how Martinez goes will determine Kansas State’s fate.

He is such an explosive player and will provide a lot of big plays this season, but can he be consistent and not have the turnover issues he had at Nebraska? I think the offensive line in Manhattan will help him a lot.

The defensive MVP is a bit more complicated, but I’m going with Daniel Green. I thought a lot about Felix Anudike-Uzomah and Eli Huggins.

Green is the pick though. After his breakout 2021 season, he should be even better this season. He is more comfortable in the defensive scheme, as a leader and he is poised to have a first team All-Big 12 campaign.