Wildcats out to set the record straight in 2005
Aug 06, 2005 | Football
2005 Kansas State Football Preview
MANHATTAN, Kan. - Coming off a disappointing 4-7 campaign that saw Kansas State spend the holidays in Manhattan for the first time in 12 years, the Wildcats will be out to prove that 2004 was the exception and not the rule.
In order to accomplish that goal and re-establish its dominance in the Big 12’s North Division, K-State will need to produce the type of bounce-back season not required of the Wildcats since the infancy of Bill Snyder’s amazing run in Manhattan.
But if there is anyone in the nation with a blueprint for getting things turned around, it’s Snyder, now in his 17th season at Kansas State.
According to Snyder, the Wildcats have to be a “tougher, more disciplined and unified football team” in order to begin clawing their way back to a spot among the elite of college football a spot Kansas State knew well during its 11-year run of consecutive bowl appearances.
The process of becoming just such a team did not wait until the start of spring practice. Shortly after the end of last season, Kansas State embarked on a rigorous out-of-season conditioning program designed specifically to begin the Wildcats on the path to accomplishing Snyder’s goals.
And it continued during spring drills, with demanding, crisp workouts and film studies that evolved into spirited skull sessions.
As for the result, Snyder says that the Wildcats are not there yet. But the architect of the greatest turnaround in the history of college football is pleased with the direction his team is heading.
“I thought we made improvements during the course of the spring,” Snyder said. “Our work habits improved, our attitude improved and leadership began to surface. We also became much more competitive at a variety of positions, but we still have a ways to go.”
The Wildcats return a total of 30 lettermen, including 16 with legitimate starting experience for their 110th season on the gridiron, and from a personnel perspective should possess an interesting blend of experience and youth on both sides of the ball.
Offensively, Kansas State possesses enough experience and fire-power at the skill positions to be as potent as any in the Big 12. The defense, meanwhile, has the potential to be one of the league’s most improved units, with enhanced depth and experience across the board.
As a result, competition should be spirited at every spot on the field throughout preseason camp, with some starting spots not decided until the eve of the season opener.
