College Football Rankings 2019: Projected Top 25, Week 5 – Wisconsin rising
By Zach Bigalke
9/28 at Oklahoma State. Kansas State Wildcats. 25. Pick Analysis. 823. Scouting Report. idle in Week 4. player
After finally cracking into the land of others receiving votes last week, Kansas State didn’t even have to play this week to climb up into the AP Top 25 after the dust settles on Week 4 action. Though the Wildcats were on a bye week, the twists and turns of the weekend opened up a spot for Chris Klieman’s team to climb up into the polls.
In jumping out to a 3-0 start, Klieman has shown that there is the possibility of life after Bill Snyder in Manhattan. The Wildcats rely on maintaining time of possession — only Wisconsin and Navy hold the ball for more time on average during a game this year — and benefit from a shutdown passing defense that forces their opponents to play a one-dimensional game on offense.
The Week 3 takedown of Mississippi State built up Kansas State’s confidence heading into Big Ten play. The Wildcats return from their bye week with a trip to Stillwater to face Oklahoma State, and a four-week run against TCU, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas could prove pivotal later in the season.