Arkansas quarterback Tyler Wilson might be the best quarterback in the Southeastern Conference.
The 6-foot-3 junior is coming off a regular season in which he threw for a SEC-best 3,422 yards and tossed 22 touchdowns compared to six interceptions. Good numbers for any quarterback. Extraordinary numbers for a quarterback in the defensive-minded SEC, where only three quarterbacks topped the 2,000-yard mark.
But only ho-hum numbers for a Big 12 quarterback.
OK, maybe ho-hum isn’t the right term. Perhaps above average is more accurate. No matter how you say it, though, no member of K-State’s defense is going to do a spit take when he looks at Wilson’s numbers.
Maybe if the Wildcats just got done playing a Big 10 or Big East schedule they would. But unlike many teams across the nation, they didn’t have to start thinking of ways to adjust their defense and prepare for an air raid the way others would have when they learned they were going to see the leading passer from the SEC in the Cotton Bowl.
After facing Oklahoma State’s Brandon Weeden (4,328 yards), Oklahoma’s Landry Jones (4,302 yards), Texas Tech’s Seth Doege (4,004 yards) and Heisman trophy winner Robert Griffin III (3,998 yards) the Wildcats are used to throwing an extra defensive back on the field and defending the pass.
All facing Wilson means is that they will have to do it again.
If you go strictly by the passing numbers mentioned above, Wilson would be the fifth-leading passer in the Big 12, just ahead of Texas A&M’s Ryan Tannehill.
Comparing numbers in different conferences is hardly an exact science, though. The SEC, on average, has better defenses than the Big 12. Let Wilson play against the Big 12 on a weekly basis and his numbers might improve.
Heck, he threw for 510 yards and three touchdowns on 51 attempts against Texas A&M earlier this year. So maybe he’s foaming at the mouth to go face another Big 12 foe.
His best showing against a SEC opponent was a 365-yard effort against Mississippi State.
On average, Wilson attempts 33.9 passes and throws for 285.2 yards per game.
Unless the Razorbacks’ coaching staff completely overhauls its game plan, he will once again throw the ball early and often against Kansas State.
The Wildcats will be ready. They saw that type of offense on a weekly basis in the Big 12.
Editor’s Note: On Jan. 6, the Kansas State football team will face Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl. With that in mind, I began counting down to the big game in Cowboys Stadium on Dec. 6 by attempting to write 31 blog posts in 31 days. I use the word “attempting” because I can only think of so many blog ideas at the moment. I’m confident that I can go 31 for 31, but your help is appreciated. Feel free to send a blog idea (or two) my way at krobinett@wichitaeagle.com.