Kansas State football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Offense

The team suffered two significant losses on offense. The Wildcats will have to replace Deante Burton with Cal transfer Carlos Strickland. Running back Charles Jones is a tough loss as well, although the team returns three of four leading rushers: quarterback Jesse Ertz, Justin Silmon and Alex Barnes. Barnes could easily become the team’s primary back this season after a promising redshirt freshman season in 2016. Barnes was third on the team in rushing touchdowns despite limited carries.

Ertz will try to duplicate Collin Klein, who had a breakout season in his second year as a starter in 2012 when the team went 11-2. With Barnes anticipated to have more carries, it is also likely Ertz will have more passing opportunities (admittedly, less rushing opportunities).

Finally, the offensive line is the team’s greatest strength on offense, returning four of five starters and plugging in Tyler Mitchell at right guard for Terrale Johnson. Senior center Reid Najvar is smart with calling plays at the line and right tackle Dalton Risner earned a first team All-Big 12 selection.

Fullback Winston Dimel was also named to the first team All-Big 12. He paved the way plenty of times for Ertz, Barnes and others to break out for long carries.

Ertz: Breakout season?

Quarterback Jesse Ertz passed for 1,755 yards last season and rushed for 1,012. However, two developments make this offense different from last season’s team. For one thing, Byron Pringle proved he is more than capable of being a No. 1 receiver. He is a legitimate threat to score anytime he touches the ball.

Alex Barnes received just 56 carries in 2016 but showed more than enough to anticipate more carries this season. Both of these developments might lead to Ertz standing in the pocket more frequently. While he rushed for 12 touchdowns, he threw just nine. He has the potential to throw more.