How Far can Bill Snyder Take Kansas State in 2013?

Jul 22, 2013; Dallas, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats head coach Bill Snyder speaks to the media during the Big 12 media days at the Omni Dallas Hotel. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Bill Snyder may be the most underrated coach in FBS history. Do people recognize his accomplishments? Sure they do. But are they celebrated the way they should be? In my opinion, no they aren’t. While Snyder may not have a national championship on his resume’, twice in his career he has been on the cusp of capturing that crystal ball.

In 1998, his Michael Bishop-led team came within an overtime loss in the Big 12 Championship Game from an appearance in the inaugural BCS Title Game in the Fiesta Bowl. And as recently as the 2012 season, Snyder had the Wildcats dreaming of BCS glory once again. Having his team vaulted to the #1 slot in the nation and in the championship driver’s seat, only to have those hoped steamrolled–literally–via a 52-24 trouncing by Baylor.

Still, close calls and what ifs aside, this is a man that has twice taken the Kansas State program from the border of irrelevancy to sniffing the national championship. He doesn’t do it with recruiting classes that have analysts jumping out of their chairs, nor does he make it happen with players that possess questionable character attributes.

Snyder simply does the job a coach is supposed to do–he builds his winners through sheer development. He has his system that works, and 2013 may be the biggest test to see just how effective that system really is.

The Big 12 this season may be the most wide-open, intriguing conference in all of college football. Texas, Oklahoma, Baylor and Oklahoma State are all expected to be contenders to grab that coveted BCS slot, and possible national championship game appearance. With most of the other conference’s generally regarded as one or two-team races, the Big 12 is almost a flip of the coin-type scenario. Every Saturday this upcoming fall can provide a different storyline.

And yes, that also includes Kansas State and Bill Snyder pulling a fast one on everyone once again.

Losing Heisman finalist Collin Klein and only returning two starters on defense are indeed crushing blows, there’s no way around that. But they’re not season demeaning losses by any means.

To start with replacing Klein, Snyder has the always unenviable task of choosing between two more than capable replacements as camp begins. Daniel Sams and Jake Waters each bring their own unique attributes to the table.
Nov 3, 2012; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Daniel Sams (4) drops back to pass during a 44-30 win over the Oklahoma State Cowboy at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Sams, a sophomore, has experience in Snyder’s offense and has been said to have run it very comfortably throughout workouts.

Waters, a JUCO transfer who absolutely lit up the ranks last season for over 3,500 yards and 39 touchdowns, can bring a newly-found passing dynamic to the K-State offense that wasn’t exactly prevalent while Klein was in charge. With returning star receivers in Tramaine Thompson and Tyler Lockett, Snyder tabbing Waters as the man could be dangerous for opponents in a conference not exactly known for it’s tight defenses.

Speaking of defenses, Bill Snyder’s toughest task in undoubtedly replacing those 10 lost starters on that side of the ball. But, this is where the development aspect comes back into play yet again.

The majority of the projected starters on Snyder’s defense this season are either juniors or seniors. While on-field experience is obviously limited, experience from Snyder’s coaching throughout their previous time on campus should shine through when they do hit that field as big-time college football starters. Bill Snyder’s coaching style is a “next man up” approach. I have zero doubt that guys like DE Alauna Finau, LB Blake Slaughter and S Travis Green won’t be ready to contribute their fair share to the Wildcats’ success this season.

While the questions are there, the expected parity in the Big 12 this year should certainly do its fair share in helping Snyder answer those–and in a positive way.

Many of you might be looking at the Big 12 this season and keeping a keen eye–as usual–on the likes of Oklahoma, Texas and Oklahoma State, you might want to pay attention to the old man in Manhattan, KS.

He might be old, but he’s the unquestioned master at molding the young into winners.

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Jack is a College Football Columnist for Saturday Blitz. Follow Jack on Twitter @JackJ14CFB