Greg McElroy is high on Kansas State but the Wildcats have a tougher schedule than Utah when it comes to the top contenders in the Big 12 in 2024.
There are lot of pieces back for Kansas State in its new look offense. Not to mention a defense that returns over half the starting lineup.
So there are some positives for Kansas State going into 2024.
“It’s gonna be a new look Kansas State, new offensive coordinator, but Avery Johnson, I think, is prepared at the quarterback spot to elevate this offense to a new level,” McElroy said on Always College Football.
“They have a terrific one-two punch at running back with Colorado transfer Dylan Edwards and DJ Giddens. I also know that they have to replace three players along the offensive line including Cooper Beebe, which is of significant concern, especially if you’re going to lean so heavily on the run game. But you look at the defense that returns seven starters, it should be one of the better units in the Big 12.”
However, McElroy noted the tough schedule for Kansas State this fall.
“They go to Iowa State in the final week of the year. That’ll be a very tricky game,” McElroy said. “UT Martin, at Tulane, be careful with that Tulane game but one that I still think Kansas State will have an advantage, Arizona comes to them, at BYU. Be careful with the BYU game on the road especially, but I think at this point Kansas State’s program is on a little bit more solid footing to BYU at least at the moment. Oklahoma State is at home, like they should be in a pretty good spot to at least challenge Oklahoma State.
“Oklahoma State got them last year. Maybe they get revenge this year on September 28. October 12, they’re at Colorado, October 19, they’re at West Virginia. West Virginia replaces an awful lot, you know they’ll be able to run the football but you have to think Kansas State will be prepared to slow down the run game that West Virginia will throw at them.”
McElroy pointed out the trench play will give Kansas State an advantage over Colorado in the end.
“Kansas is at home on October 26, they’re at Houston, Arizona State and Cincinnati come to them,” McElroy said. “Like I said they finish up on the road in Ames against the Cyclones of Iowa State and how many games on that list are really losable? Okay, Oklahoma State. I think that’s losable. Kansas, sure that’s losable, it’s a rivalry game on October 26. And they go to Iowa State. They might have three games that are legitimate losable.
“Either way, feel really good about both Kansas State and about Utah. But based on the schedule. I think Utah’s schedule is a lot more manageable than Kansas State’s. So I would lean in favor of Utah in their first year in the Big 12.”
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