The Other Side of the Wall: Kansas State
The Lenape people lived in what is now Delaware, but their tribal land stretch up into southern New York. The lower peninsula splits the Hudson, East and Harlem rivers, as we know them now, and the tribe gathered wood for bows there.
Thus, the Lenapes called this area “Manhattan,” which very literally means “the place where we get wood for bows.”
In 1855, a steamboat ran aground in Kansas, carrying settlers, investors and agents from a land company based in Cincinnati. Some of them were from New York.
Rather than continue the journey downriver, they took up the invitation to join the settlement, but they insisted on naming it Manhattan.
15 years later, Kansas State University was established, and 23 or 24 years after that, students fielded a football team for the first time.
| Team | Kansas State |
|---|---|
| Time, Network | 11 am, FS1 |
| 2022 Record | 10-4 (7-2), Big XII Champion |
| Troy’s Record | 0-1 |
| Last Matchup | L, 5-41 (2003) |
| Preseason Conf. Rank | 2nd Big XII |
| FPI Rank | 25 |
| FPI Win% (Troy) | 10.8% |
| Spread | KSU -16.5 |
The Wildcats are ranked No. 15 in the AP Poll, and Troy is in the 30s receiving votes. At first glance, this looks like a solid matchup.
Then you see the spread and the win percentage.
What do the other stats say?
Well first, you may have to throw out the previous game. The Cats put up 228 yards rushing, 360 yards passing, 6 touchdowns and a shutout against an FCS opponent.
Let’s look at last year’s conference championship team.
| Stat | 2022 Rank | 2022 Opponent Comparison | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 208.3 | 15 | Marshall (17) |
| Passing Yards | 210.5 | 92 | Southern Miss (96) |
| Scoring Offense | 32.3 | 36 | N/A* |
| Rushing Defense | 150.8 | 67 | Western Kentucky (60) |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 224.4 | 63 | Louisiana (55) |
| Scoring Defense | 21.9 | 28 | South Alabama (25) |
| Turnover Margin | 0.86 | 8 | Marshall (11) |
Kansas State ran the ball incredibly well, and according to these stats, last year’s team didn’t do much else. However, undersized monster Deuce Vaughn is gone to the NFL, forcing a more balanced attack that we saw on Saturday.
The secondary will be challenged, as Kansas State used runs and short passes to set up deep passes. This secondary is as good as Troy’s ever had, but this passing attack may be its toughest challenge ever.
That includes Ole Miss last year.
Also, those short passes will be a major weapon Saturday. Troy’s linebacking corps is the defense’s weakest spot (read: lost the most production) and Coach Sumrall even mentioned how wrapping up or finishing tackles was a point of emphasis after the SFA game.
That being said, the trenches is where the football game will be won. KSU’s O-Line. is its greatest asset, and Troy’s defensive line is its strongest unit.
If Troy gets pressure on the quarterback, it will force mistakes, which is how the Trojans win on defense. Unfortunately, mistakes are not something the Cats do often.
On the other hand, the Cats do get pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Given the giant target on Kimani’s back, I expect 6 guys in the box nearly every play.
That said, they’re also aware of what Gunnar & Co can do. Troy didn’t air it out too much last week, but this is a game where it has to happen, if for no other reason than to keep the secondary honest.
On both sides of the ball, you’re looking at a balanced attack with a ton of weapons. On both sidelines, you’re looking at stout defenses that get their power from up front.
So what will the difference be? Let’s ask someone from the opposing side.
I joined the guys over at Cocaine Willie for their podcast, and they graciously agreed to answer my hard-hitting round of questions.
1. What does the warning label for this team say?
Warning: Serial killer on the loose: Bill the Butcher at large. (one of many Will Howard nicknames)
Love a good nickname, especially when it uses the real name. Is he a big The Boys fan by chance?
2. What Taylor Swift song title best describes the (team’s) expectations this year? Why?
Wildest Dreams. There’s an opportunity for Kansas State to not only repeat as Big 12 champs this year, but also make a run at the College Football Playoff if things go the way we think they could go.
Sounds familiar. Reigning champs, dreaming about a CFP berth.
3. Which Avenger is most like Coach Klieman?
Hawkeye – He’s steady, sees the details, and executes on his game plans with precision. Also, he’s from Iowa.
Love. a coach that’s obsessed with details. Brown and Sumrall are both like that.
4. What game from last year stands out most to fans? Why?
- Bob Trollsby – TCU in the Big 12 championship game – This game won us the conference championship, but was done so in overtime where the win was secured because of a goal-line stand and a field goal by our kicker who was absolute nails and smirked as he trotted out before making the kick.
- The Good Chef – Oklahoma State – This was a matchup against a top-10 Oklahoma State team at the time and K-State beat them 48-0.
- Fireball Matt – Oklahoma – This was also a matchup against a top-10 Oklahoma team where K-State went into Norman for the final time as conference mates and beat them under the lights. Adrian Martinez flashed in a way that solidified fans’ belief that the Cats could make a run at the Big 12 title. I fully support any SEC loss, whether future or past.
5. What game are fans looking forward to most? Why?
- Bob Trollsby – Texas – I married a Texas fan and I hate that team and would love to go into Austin for one final time and beat them on their way to the SEC. Don’t let the door hit you on the way out! Again… any SEC loss.
- The Good Chef – UCF – This is their first year in the conference and seem to be the team with the most potential of the four newcomers to have a big impact on the league in Year 1. They should travel well and should be a fun atmosphere in Manhattan as this game opens up conference play. They look talented and their twitter army likes to chirp. Don’t we know it.
- Fireball Matt – Missouri – This is a game with more than 100 years of history and a matchup where, last year, K-State came out the clear victor in a game where Mizzou could not get anything going offensively. It should be a good litmus test once again for how strong this Wildcats team can be this season. Any. SEC. Loss.
6. What are three names on defense Troy fans should pay attention to? Why?
- Daniel Green – It feels like he’s a 12-year senior at this point. He’s one of “Snyder’s Soldiers” as his teammates call the last holdouts from the Snyder era. All-Big 12 caliber LB with 89 tackles in 2021 and 58 tackles in 2022. Fans are looking for him to bounce back to 2021 form this season.
- Uso Seumalo – 6’3” 340 lb DT in his second year in the program. Absolute mountain of a human and fans are looking to see how he can continue to build on the flashes we saw last season, including coming up in a big way in the goal line stand against TCU in the Big 12 championship game.
- Will “The Blanket” Lee – His nickname says it all. He is a highly-touted JuCo CB coming in as a JuCo national champion and K-State beat out Alabama who came in late in the recruiting process to snag his commitment. Total ball hawk.
7. If we wake up Sunday and the underdog wins, what happened the day before?
Will Howard reverted back to his freshman and sophomore self. The O-Line would need to be inconsistent like they were against Tulane a season ago, and the secondary likely still hadn’t figured out perimeter passes and getting off the blocks.
As with Troy, pressure on the quarterback is key. Tight ends will make the difference for both teams.
8. What chicken joint is most associated with the team, college, fanbase or city?
This is nearly impossible to answer because Manhattan is like a desert when it comes to chicken joints. Wichita and Kansas City have plenty, but MHK is a wasteland in this regard. We have plenty of great local food and restaurants, but as far as a dedicated chicken-joint is concerned, Raising Cane’s and Wingstop are probably the best the town has to offer. 43 minutes down the road is a really good, historic local spot called the Brookville Hotel in Abilene, KS, but that’s probably the closest thing we have. PSA: Someone please start a good fried chicken place in Manhattan.
Someone get Crowe’s on the phone! I have a franchising opportunity!
9. What’s one question you have for us about Troy, if you have one (we’ll answer in the article)?
The rushing attack for Troy looks incredibly dangerous. How do you think they will fare this weekend against a K-State squad who gave up 6 total rushing yards against SEMO and one of the top-5 best FCS Running Backs in Geno Hess?
The offense is “run first,” so we’ll see Kimani pick up a decent amount of yardage. The question is whether Troy sticks to the run game in short situations or tries short passes. Last few years, it would be passing. I think this year is different. I don’t expect another 200-yarder, but 150 yards would be stellar.
So Kansas State has the edge. They’re bigger, they’ve made fewer mistakes, and they’re favored in most position matchups.
They’re not unbeatable though. Troy just has to step up—don’t make any mistakes, keep drives alive, and score as often as you get the opportunity.
Do all that, and you get the win. Whoever stumbles first, loses.
That’s the challenge. How do you make a team that doesn’t stumble, stumble?
Kansas State wins, 31-27.
Special thanks to Bob Trollsby, Fireball Matt and the Good Chef over at Cocaine Willie. Give them a follow on Twitter.