Welcome to our newest feature, which we’re calling “What-If Wednesday.” In this column, I’ll propose a handful of questions that, at this point, have not come to fruition. But IF they do, what will come out of it? What’s the end game?
Join us for this one, and let’s have some fun.
What If… the Kansas State Wildcats are getting too much hype?
Then the Wildcats won’t meet the Big 12 Preseason Poll expectations of reaching the Big 12 Championship Game. The Cats were picked to finish second in the league behind Utah, and there are plenty of national outlets projecting them to make the Playoff.
However, the more I think about Kansas State working in an uber-talented, but young, quarterback, with a first-time offensive coordinator and new pieces (Dylan Edwards), plus four multi-year starters on the offensive line departing, the Cats may be one year away from winning the Big 12 and making the College Football Playoff.
That’s not to say Kansas State can’t achieve the aforementioned goals, but 8-4 is starting to feel more likely to me than 10-2 or 9-3, based on some of the offseason changes that are being overlooked.
Related: Kyle Whittingham’s Conference Realignment Comments Were Not a Shot at the Big 12
What If… Jalon Daniels doesn’t stay healthy?
Then we can’t talk about Kansas as a legitimate Big 12 contender.
There’s no doubt if Jalon Daniels is healthy all season, he’s arguably the best offensive player in the conference. But the guy has a lengthy injury history and last season he was brittle. The other thing is that there is no Jason Bean as back up this season.
There were few back up quarterbacks in college football better than Jason Bean. He’s gone. The next man up would be between former walk-on Cole Ballard or freshman Isaiah Marshall. There’s no way KU can have the confidence in either guy that it had in Bean last season.
So while KU got a favorable Big 12 schedule and has the most talent and upside its had in 15 years, still so much of this season relies on Jalon Daniels’ health.
What If… Colorado flops in non-conference play?
Then things could get hairy in Boulder sooner rather than later.
Colorado opens the season against FCS powerhouse North Dakota State, followed by an improving Nebraska team and then a Colorado State team that took the Buffaloes to double overtime last season.
It’s very clear that local media is looking to find reasons to jump on Deion Sanders, and if the team gets off to a slow start, it could get ugly between Deion, the media, reports coming out of the program and more.
To be clear, I am not predicting this to be the case, but there’s no love lost between the two sides and a slow start would be the worst thing for the Colorado football program as it gets ready for Year 1 in the Big 12 Conference.
