FanHouse KansasStateFootball

Somewhere in the privacy of his own home, 70-year-old Kansas State coach Bill Snyder is enjoying this and laughing at those who quietly thought the energy was gone to resurrect the Wildcats.

But as we've suspected for years, the private Snyder is different from the public guy. So it should be no surprise Snyder seems oblivious to the instant success he and the Wildcats are experiencing after he decided break a three-year retirement to return to Kansas State just under a year ago.

The Wildcats are sitting atop the Big 12 North with two regular-season games remaining after being picked to finish on the bottom half of the division in the preseason media poll.

Kansas State head coach Ron Prince is counting on the combination of Leon Patton and James Johnson to revive the Wildcats' running game. A year ago Kansas State finished 86th nationally in rushing offense, averaging just 115 yards per game.

"It's neck and neck," Prince said. "It's not one guy working to beat out the other, but they are pushing each other in performance. When you watch tape, it's real hard knowing the difference between how No. 8 [Johnson] is doing and No. 9 [Patton] is doing."

Patton is the smaller and more agile back in the mold of former Wildcat Darren Sproles. He started three games and rushed for 609 yards and six touchdowns during an impressive freshman campaign in 2006. Johnson, a 5-11, 200-pound senior, seems a bit more durable. He started the last five games and accumulated 403 yards rushing and two touchdowns a year ago. Coach Prince seems to appreciate the increased competition this spring. He's also in no hurry to name a starter and plans on using them both.

"I really don't know which one is better," Prince said. "They are both doing some terrific things in terms of ball security and route running."

The Wildcat coach added, "I don't see it changing much. I like to play two running backs. And, I'd like to have a third guy come in as a change up. Who that third guy is, I don't know." If either back can get the Wildcat running game going, it will help take the pressure off sophomore quarterback Josh Freeman who had six touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2006.

Warm up the "so nice they named him twice" references. If things go well Kansas State's starting left tackle this fall just might be named, Alesana Alesana. The 6-6, 295-pound junior-college transfer arrived in December from City College of San Francisco and is already taking snaps with the first-team offense.

"That name thing is a little odd," [quarterback Josh] Freeman said, "but he's got really good feet. He can play."

Alesana comes from Western Samoa, which is known for its double-naming tendencies. Unfortunately the practice is less common here, meaning that no matter how well he plays, he will always be overshadowed by his name. So far, however, Alesana seems to be taking it in stride:

"Oh yes, I get a lot of questions about my name," Alesana Alesana says. "It's normal where I come from. But it's not normal around here. I am proud of my name. I love my name."

The Kansas State coaches won't care what he's called as long as he improves the team's offensive line play. The Wildcats overmatched offensive line gave up 28 sacks in 2006.

After finishing 70th in total defense in 2006, head coach Ron Prince announced last week that Kansas State will add the 3-4 alignment to its defensive repertoire. Prince says the move will allow the Wildcats more flexibility.

"This whole idea of being versatile, is essential to the schemes right now that you're facing. So many of the offenses are being run by the coach from the sideline-either hand-signaling or gesturing into the quarterback the specific play to run against the defense that they see on the field at that time. Much of this is a response to try to be more multiple defensively and I think you're going to see that be a continuing trend."

The new defensive alignment is just one of the recent changes in Manhattan. This off-season saw six coaches leave the Kansas State coaching staff. Finding new homes were defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, running backs coach Tim Horton, wide receivers coach Pat Washington, tight ends coach James Jones, and longtime strength and conditioning coach Rod Cole. Prince filled the defensive coordinator position by promoting from within the KSU ranks by moving special teams coach Tim Tibesar to this spot. He also hired Greg Burns from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the defensive backs coach.

With a new defensive staff and new defensive system, the Wildcat players will certainly be tested. Tibesar, however, insists that the move was made with the best interest of the players in mind.

"We're going to be multiple," Tibesar said. "We'll use a three-man line and a four-man line, just like we did last year. Some of those things will be very similar. The biggest thing is that we want to try to use our personnel to the best of our capabilities."

Coming off a solid true freshman season at Kansas State, quarterback Josh Freeman has upsized to a hefty 255-pounds. He played the 2006 season at roughly 6-6, 238 pounds. With that height, I don't doubt that Freeman has the frame to carry his current weight, but where will the coaching staff draw the line? Right now head coach Ron Prince is too busy comparing him to potential No. 1 pick JaMarcus Russell.

"I hear people talk about this JaMarcus Russell from LSU and how big he is," Prince said. "If JaMarcus Russell and Josh Freeman stood next to each other right now, they'd probably look very similar."

Sure. And if I stand next Brad Pitt and you squint your eyes real hard, we too, probably look very similar. Unfortunately, that doesn't make it so.

Despite possible girth-related issues, Freeman should have a lock on the quarterback spot for the Wildcats. He will be looking to improve on a freshman campaign that saw him complete just over 50% of his passes with a touchdown to interception ratio of 6 to 15. Freeman is also expected to take on more of a leadership role.

"Josh has been a good leader. He's really been focused," Prince said. "He's going to be a sophomore next year, but he's excited to do and play like a senior."

In case you've missed the FanHouse's awesomely awesome and fantastic Spring Practice Questions, I've cobbled together the "Complete Series" for Big 12 teams.

Seriously, read these, folks. They're about football. And right now the sporting world isn't about football. And you're dying for more football. That's why you're here. To endure this choppy writing of mine. And read these Big 12 Spring Practice Questions. The complete series. Below.

Previously at the FanHouse:
Spring Practice Questions: Texas Tech Red Raiders
Spring Practice Questions: Iowa State Cyclones
Spring Practice Questions: Missouri Tigers
Spring Practice Questions: Kansas State Wildcats
Spring Practice Questions: Oklahoma Sooners
Spring Practice Questions: Texas A&M Aggies
Spring Practice Questions: Texas Longhorns
Spring Practice Questions: Colorado Buffaloes
Spring Practice Questions: Nebraska Cornhuskers

Last Year: 7-6 (4-4), Unranked

Fans Are: Overly optimistic. After several declining years that hastened the departure of legendary coach Bill Snyder, Kansas State had a tough rebuilding road ahead for new coach Ron Prince. Thanks to a softer than normal Big 12 and an epic win over a Colt McCoy-less Texas, the Wildcats soared to a seven win season in Prince's first go-round.

There is still a long rebuilding road ahead as Prince attempts to recast the program in his image. The program lacks much star talent beyond the quarterback, tailback and star defensive end, has little depth, plays in a major conference and has suffered tremendous coaching and roster turnover. That means the Prince regime must fight uphill against some bad feelings in the background and the inescapability of returning a once moribund program to lofty heights in just his second season.

Expectations: Compete for the Big 12 North Division crown, make a bowl game, avoid humiliating losses.

Questions:

1. Will the run defense improve?

It's doubtful there will be significant improvement this year. The Wildcats surrendered 149 ground yards a game last year, good for 78th in the NCAA. In an increasingly pass-happy Big 12, that output was particularly pathetic. The team's best defensive lineman Ian Campbell happens to be a pass-rushing terror but is suspect against the run. And now the Wildcats may switch to a 3-4 depending on the whims of new defensive coordinator Tim Tibesar.

Tibesar's background is light, mostly specializing as a linebackers coach. Can his ingenuity trump personal inexperience and the overall inexperience of a fairly young defensive line? My money's on no, at least for this year.

2. Can hotshot quarterback Josh Freeman avoid a sophomore slump?

Probably. Most of the offense returns, although both of his tackles and downfield receiver Yamon Figurs have all graduated. A veteran line and the return of receiver Jordy Nelson should be a security blanket for Freeman to continue to develop as a quarterback and ignite the Kansas State offense.

3. What else should we be on the lookout for this spring?

How the new set of assistant coaches mesh with the team and coach Ron Prince's vision for the program.

The defensive players must potentially learn a new scheme, the 3-4. That puts a squeeze on certain defensive linemen and there may be a transfer or two just because. New receivers and defensive backs coaches are also certain to shake things up as they get used to the available personnel and sort out the players from the guys who can't cut it.

It appears that Auburn finally has its season opening opponent for 2007. The Manhattan (KS) Mercury is reporting tonight that Kansas State has reached an agreement with Auburn to travel to Jordan-Hare Stadium for the Tigers 2007 season opener.

There have been rumors flying around all day on the internet. The Mercury is the first to confirm the story. The opener will be played on September 1st and televised by ESPN. There was no mention of a return trip by Auburn. This has been a sticking point for the Auburn administration in trying to schedule a BCS conference caliber opponent. You would have to assume that they'll be no return trip to Manhattan, Kansas.

This will not be the first time the two schools have met in the season opener. Auburn opened with Kansas State to start the 1979 season. The game was won by the Tigers 26-18 at Jordan-Hare Stadium.