Kansas State

Look what the 'Cats dragged in! Billy Snyder is back in charge in Manhattan after the Wildcats suffered through three forgettable seasons under Ron Prince. Although 15 starters return, this is a roster thin on talent by Snyder standards. Nonetheless, don't be surprised if Snyder works his magic and gets Kansas State into a bowl game. The Wildcats should be favored in five of their first seven games, two of which come against Division I-AA opponents. Here's the hard part: Because Kansas State is playing two I-AA teams (presuming it will beat Massachusetts and Tennessee Tech), the Wildcats will have to win seven games — not six — to become bowl eligible. If it goes 1-1 against the I-AA teams, then Kansas State will only have to win six (NCAA rule). But three of the final five games are at home and it's never wise to bet against a Snyder team playing in Manhattan.