No. 16 Kansas State Wildcats
2022 record: 10-4What we'll learn about Kansas State in September: Does this offense still have the playmakers? Deuce Vaughn and his 1,936 yards from scrimmage are gone. So is Malik Knowles (725 receiving yards, 15.1 per catch). No. 3 receiver Kade Warner had some big moments; he's gone, too. K-State brings a lot to the table after last year's Big 12 title run -- quarterback Will Howard, the Big 12's most proven offensive line, a ridiculously reliable linebacker duo in Austin Moore and Daniel Green -- but while the defense has some transition to work through on the line and (especially) in the secondary, the Wildcats will be fine as long as they're making as many big plays as they're allowing. They should have what they need at running back, where sophomore DJ Giddens (5.8 yards per carry) and Florida State transfer Treshaun Ward (6.6) have flashed exciting explosiveness. But slot man Phillip Brooks is the only wide receiver who caught more than seven balls last year. K-State has to find some new weapons for Howard if the Wildcats are going to survive a trip to Missouri and tricky home games against Troy and UCF unbeaten. -- Bill Connelly
