Mizzou Week 2 Opponent Preview: Kansas State Wildcats

The Tigers have a Big 12 rematch on their hands in Week 2

Week 2 will see the Missouri Tigers take on their first road challenge when they travel to Manhattan, KS to take on Kansas State in a matchup that could be very telling for the Tigers in 2022. 

Kansas State chalked up an 8-5 record in 2021 and closed the season on a high note, dismantling LSU 42-20 in the Texas Bowl. The Wildcats had the third-best defense in the Big 12 last season, and the arrival of ex-Nebraska quarterback Adrian Martinez will make them a formidable opponent for Mizzou on Saturday.

Martinez is the new man under center for K-State, but the Wildcats didn't do much passing in their first game this season, a 34-0 win over South Dakota. Martinez threw for only 53 yards and no touchdowns in that contest. The Wildcats did post four rushing touchdowns and running back Deuce Vaughn churned out 126 yards.

K-State was ninth in the Big 12 offensively but scored over 30 points seven times last season. Even with a strong defensive performance, Mizzou will have to put up some points to take home their first road victory of the season. 

Winning the field position battle will be key, due to Kansas State’s mediocre red zone, defense and the Tigers will need to come away with touchdowns, not field goals when they get into striking distance. If the Tigers’ inexperienced quarterbacks can manage the ball, it will put Mizzou in a good position to take home the win on Saturday.

Kansas State Wildcats

2022 Record: 1-0

Head coach: Chris Klieman

Klieman is 21-16 in three years as the Kansas State head coach

Offensive set: Spread

Defensive set: 3-3-5

Returning starters on offense: 5

Defensively, Missouri will have their hands full with this Wildcats rushing attack. Vaughn and Martinez are a lethal combination on the ground behind a formidable offensive line. Tigers defensive ends Trajan Jeffcoat and Isaiah McGuire will be counted to get penetration and stop these runs before they get started. Mizzou’s secondary should hold up as well, anchored by cornerback Kris Abrams-Draine. The focus will be on stopping Vaughn and the Wildcats ground game. Projected offensive starters:

QB Adrian Martinez

RB Deuce Vaughan

FB Ben Sinnott

WR Malik Knowles

WR Phillip Brooks

TE Sammy Wheeler

LT Cooper Beebe

LG KT Leveston

C Hadley Panzer

RG Taylor Poitier

RT Christian Duffie

Returning starters on defense: 7

Cook will have the benefit of facing a just-OK Kansas State pass defense. The Wildcats were ranked 44th in the FBS for pass defense and lost their best defensive back, safety Russ yeast, who led the team in interceptions and pass deflections last year. Tigers fans will see a familiar face in the Wildcats’ secondary, as former Tiger cornerback Shawn Robinson transferred to Kansas State this spring.

The Tigers will have to capitalize in the red zone as Kansas State was one of the worst teams in the country at defending inside the 20-yard line. They were 123rd in red-zone defense last season and gave up touchdowns 68% of the time. Mizzou’s transfer running back Nathaniel Peat, who played at Stanford in 2021, could do some damage in this area of the field if the Tigers’ blocking holds up. Projected defensive starters:

DE Delix Anudike-Uzomah

DT Eli Huggins

DE Nate Matlack

LB Khalid Duke

LB Daniel Green

LB Will Honas

CB Ekow Boye Doe

CB Julius Brents

S TJ Smith

S Kobe Savage

FS Shawn Robinson

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