I know you’re all bummed about another close loss, but don’t direct your ire at Ron Prince. It’s not his fault.
In some ways, what did in the Wildcats last night in Stillwater is the same thing we suspected might be this team’s downfall all along - run defense. As Prince said late night, there wasn’t much of any, and that’s been the case the last three games now. That, folks, is a trend, and that’s going to be the blueprint for attacking this team the remainder of the year.
With that said, who has the tools to pull off what KU and OSU did, and what Colorado attempted to do? Not Baylor and its spread offense. Even if Iowa State played the perfect game - at home, no turnovers, and was more physical than K-State, as the Cyclones were during the first half of their loss Saturday to Oklahoma - that still looks like a Wildcat victory.
Where it gets interesting is Nebraska. The Huskers are a shell of themselves, and this team has clearly quit on Bill Callahan. It’s funny - the old Nebraska, as in the power running game, would give K-State fits. But with the mess on the field in Lincoln these days, that’s looking like a win, too.
I don’t like K-State’s chances against Missouri and at Fresno State. But that would still give the Wildcats seven wins, which would match last season’s win total, which isn’t bad.
What else?
- Had to be impressed with Josh Freeman, even if he wasn’t impressed with himself, which is a good sign. I’ll have a story on him in tomorrow’s Eagle.
- It was strange to hear how much praise Prince and the Wildcats heaped on Oklahoma State. K-State was very complimentary, and for once, I didn’t think it was bluster. The Cowboys are a good team, no question, and I thought they were better than K-State last night - primarily because they were playing at home. I love their offense, but that defense is sketchy at best. It’ll be interesting to see how the rest of the season plays out.
- My curiosity was rewarded. I wondered how Adarius Bowman was a bigger NFL prospect than Jordy Nelson. While Nelson has been ultra-productive, Bowman is a man. No better way to put it. I mean, he’s so physical. Bowls people over, takes contact. In a pure passing offense, he’d have staggering numbers. He’s the prototypical possession receiver in the 21st century.
- Speaking of the NFL, scouts from the Oakland Raiders, New York Giants and one other team - it’s escaping me right now - were in attendance Saturday. They were talking about quarterbacks, and one mentioned ESPN’s Friday night telecast of Louisville-UConn. During that game, the announcers were wondering how anyone couldn’t think Brian Brohm wasn’t a high first-round pick, a comment the scouts at Boone Pickens Stadium were snickering about. Also, there was ridicule for Hawaii’s Colt Brennan and his release.
- What has happened to Rob Jackson? And, to a lesser extent, Ian Campbell? Weren’t people predicting All-Big 12 seasons for those two? I think I heard Campbell’s name called once last night.
- Good to see Marcus Watts making plays again - in something besides special teams. But that missed tackle in the end on Brandon Pettigrew will probably haunt him all day.
Have some thoughts? Holler at me in the comments below…