K - State Counting On Transfers For Revival

MeanGreen61 · March 3, 2008

Interesting story about NT's season opener opponent. Will this team really be together for their opener with the Mean Green ?

There is a difference, though, between fondness for junior college players and what he is trying to pull off in his third season as the Wildcats head coach. Of sound mind and body, Prince deliberately went out and signed 19 junior college players, out of 32 total, in the Class of 2008.

His three recruiting classes have included an incredible 37 jucos.

And there are more student Princes to come.

"This," the coach said. "is a strategy for us."

A strategy that, at first glance, is reeking of more than a hint of desperation. Prince is coming off a 5-7 season, and the Big 12 North is improving around him by the day. His defense gave up 198 points in the final four games, the most in school history in a four-game span. And just recently, the AD who hired him, Tim Weiser, announced he is leaving to become a Big 12 deputy commissioner.

FULL STORY

http://www.sportsline.com/collegefootball/story/10674645

hickoryhouse · March 3, 2008

It would be a huge OOC win for us to beat a BIG 12 school, and with all of the good things that have happened for us this offseason so far..... knock on wood.... and the obvious upheaval at K State, i tghink that a season opening ooc win could be in the cards

Huff · March 3, 2008

This is nothing new for Kansas State. Bill Snyder built some of his very best teams by bringing in junior college kids. They have done it before and can make it work again. They probably won't be clicking on all cylinders for their first game but should be ready by the time they hit their most important games later in the season.

March 3, 2008

I agree that we aren't at the talent level of K-State but I still hold out hope based primarily for two reasons. First, I'm not that sold on Ron Prince's ability as a head coach. He was a good assistant but may not have fully learned how to be a head coach yet. He's just one game under .500 as a HFC but Kansas State has slipped considerably in the past couple of years. Second, and maybe more important, K-State's biggest losses were in the defensive backfield, which wasn't all that great last year and may not be that organized at the first game of the season.

Signing 19 JUCOs in one recruiting class has to be an all-time record. Was the available talent that bad?

TIgreen01 · March 4, 2008

I agree that we aren't at the talent level of K-State but I still hold out hope based primarily for two reasons. First, I'm not that sold on Ron Prince's ability as a head coach. He was a good assistant but may not have fully learned how to be a head coach yet. He's just one game under .500 as a HFC but Kansas State has slipped considerably in the past couple of years. Second, and maybe more important, K-State's biggest losses were in the defensive backfield, which wasn't all that great last year and may not be that organized at the first game of the season.
Signing 19 JUCOs in one recruiting class has to be an all-time record. Was the available talent that bad?

What is their d-line and LB corp like? Teams proved to us last year that secondary really doesn't matter if the QB doesn't have time to throw (Ark. and Troy games come to mind).

jdennis82 · March 4, 2008

i think we can keep it close. having to make the decision between manhattan or baton rouge this year. it may come down to our chances to pull off the win vs. kstate

March 5, 2008

What is their d-line and LB corp like? Teams proved to us last year that secondary really doesn't matter if the QB doesn't have time to throw (Ark. and Troy games come to mind).

K-State runs a 3-4 and linebackers seems to be their strength. They lost both DEs but their nose tackle does return.

TIgreen01 · March 5, 2008

K-State runs a 3-4 and linebackers seems to be their strength. They lost both DEs but their nose tackle does return.

Well, then....working in 2 new DE's is good news for us! I think an upset win is a long-shot, but maybe we can at least be competitive in this game (which would be a HUGE improvement over last year).

H-towngreen · March 5, 2008

I think that we can hang around with them. It is tough when you're breaking in that many new players. The key to the game is controlling Kirby Freeman. Hopefully our 2 stud D-Ends can help to put a strangle hold on him.

BIG DAWG · March 5, 2008

I have a reliable person who says there is really good chance that Gilmore again will not have his grades. I will not cite the the source, but I will at LEAST give the name of the player.

I hope that he can get things in order, but it does not look good. That leaves us in a whole lot different situation than if we had him and the new guy on the edge all year.

I am hoping I am wrong, but this guy is usually right on. Take it how you will

Eagle1855 · March 5, 2008

I think that we can hang around with them. It is tough when you're breaking in that many new players. The key to the game is controlling Kirby Freeman. Hopefully our 2 stud D-Ends can help to put a strangle hold on him.

I think you might mean Josh Freeman, their monster QB... but either way, I'd like to see him on the ground every other play.

Of course, I thought we could hang around with them the last time we played them, and look what happened there... Im not saying, Im just sayin.

H-towngreen · March 5, 2008

I have a reliable person who says there is really good chance that Gilmore again will not have his grades. I will not cite the the source, but I will at LEAST give the name of the player.
I hope that he can get things in order, but it does not look good. That leaves us in a whole lot different situation than if we had him and the new guy on the edge all year.
I am hoping I am wrong, but this guy is usually right on. Take it how you will

I had heard the same thing. It would be a HUGE loss as he is All-Belt Caliber. But we have to remember that he still has the rest of this semester and summer school. So he has time if he hasn't dug his hole to deep. I have faith that he will make it.