Summer Snapshot: Kansas State must find playmakers on offense in 2016

For years upon years, the Kansas State Wildcats have been the quietly great team in the Big 12. They aren't flashy, they don't jump off the page at you from a talent standpoint, but they simply win games because they're one of the most disciplined, hard working, and blue-collar teams in college football. Truly, Bill Snyder's imprint and steady hand created one of the most consistent products in the entire country.

But, things took a turn south in 2015. Starting quarterback Jesse Ertz missed essentially the entire season after tearing his ACL, throwing the K-State offense into a season-long state of mediocrity for the first time in years. Defensively, safety Dante Barnett, the glue that held the unit together in 2014 as one of the best DBs in the conference, missed the majority of the season as well.

With few offensive weapons for backup quarterback Joe Hubener, and with the leader of the defense on the sidelines, Kansas State simply slipped back to the pack as a subpar, rudderless ship that finished the regular season at 6-6 before getting trampled over by Arkansas in bowl season.

Now, with Ertz back under center and Barnett back on what should be an improved defense, the Wildcats hope to get back on track this fall.

Is Ertz really the answer at QB?

For years, Kansas State football has been great through one consistent thread: Smart, consistent quarterback play. Collin Klein was a Heisman trophy candidate back in 2012 as a fantastic decision maker and tough rusher for the Wildcats, who were likely a Baylor-loss away from playing for a national championship. Jake Waters was incredibly efficient as a passer and runner for K-State in both 2013 and 2014, two seasons where the team won eight and nine games respectively.

When the Wildcats play good football, they have a versatile and heady decision maker under center. They didn't have that in 2015, leading to the first losing record since 2008.

So, the big question is whether Jesse Ertz is the answer. He's been voted a team captain, and he was on track to start last year before the ACL tear. If Ertz can be consistent, K-State will win ball games, plain and simple. But if he doesn't, can Joe Hubener or Alex Delton be the guy? It's the biggest question I see right now.

Who makes the plays?

After losing program all-time wide receiver and playmaker Tyler Lockett to the NFL, it was very clear that Kansas State had no go-to weapons on offense last fall. Sure, Deante Burton was fine with 510 yards and four touchdowns, but those are in no way leading-receiver type numbers, which he was a year ago. In the backfield, Charles Jones was mostly the same: fine. He had 696 yards rushing, averaged 4.9 per carry, and scored five TDs.

But the leading rusher and receiver from 2015 - who both return - just honestly are not go-to playmakers. So, Kansas State has to find some. Is that JUCO transfer receiver Byron Pringle, who got the buzz all spring, or is it someone else?

Add to the fact that the Wildcats are breaking in an inexperienced O-line, and things could get ugly on offense if playmakers don't emerge.

A bounce back year on defense?

If there's one thing Kansas State can feel good about, it's a group of potential all-conference defenders led by DB Dante Barnett that could actually be a much improved unit from 2015, which got shredded through the air and collapsed late against the run.

The Wildcats have four preseason All Big 12 defenders, including senior defensive end Jordan Willis, junior defensive tackle Will Geary, junior linebacker Elijah Lee, and senior defensive back Dante Barnett. Having elite players at every level of the defense could mean that K-State is back in business both against the run and pass.

That's the big hope for K-State this fall: Play much better defense and make it the unit the offense can lean and rely on.

OFFENSE

Junior quarterback Jesse Ertz - Even though he didn't throw a single pass last fall, Ertz will likely be the biggest determining factor in whether or not the Wildcats can return to being a winning team in the Big 12. If he can groove out a role as a great decision maker, they'll be back in business.

Senior receiver Deante Burton - Again, Burton was a solid player in 2015, and he's the leading receiver going into this fall. However, he'd likely be better served as a number two receiver, a role he could thrive in should Pringle or another pass catcher step up.

Sophomore center Dalton Risner - The only proven returner on the offensive line will likely be a big piece in determining whether or not the Wildcats patented inside run game returns back to its old glory this fall. He'll need to be the leader of this young, green unit, especially since all-time program O-lineman Cody Whitehair is now in the NFL.

DEFENSE

Senior safety Dante Barnett - Barnett was the heart of the Kansas State defense in 2014, and he would've been their unquestioned leader in 2015 had he not missed most of the season. They looked lost without him at times last year, and his return will help get the ship righted.

Senior defensive end Jordan Willis - Willis was flat out one of the best pass rushers in the Big 12 a year ago. In fact, he finished the year with 9.5 sacks, the second most in the conference behind only Emmanuel Ogbah. Elite pass rushers are a premium in this league, and he'll be invaluable to K-State's efforts on defense.

Junior linebacker Elijah Lee - The leading tackler for KSU in 2015 returns as the top piece in what should be a very good linebacking crew for the Wildcats in 2016. Lee was also second-team all-Big 12 last year and could be great in 2016.

Going into this fall, Kansas State is one of the biggest mysteries in college football. They have no returning playmakers on offense that scare you, and they're breaking in a new-look offensive line. On defense, they look to be solid to good with Dante Barnett back as the glue guy for the unit.

The ultimate success or failure of this team will depend on whether or not they can find footing offensively and get back into their mold as a crafty, efficient unit that takes advantages of your defenses big mistakes.

Interestingly, Tech gets K-State early on in the year, where they usually struggle as they figure themselves out. Usually, the Red Raiders play them late when they've found their groove and are rolling along as a well oiled machine.

So, despite being in Manhattan, I think Texas Tech earns their first Big 12 road win of the season to the tune of two scores. The Red Raiders' diverse, deep receiving corps will win a big number of matchups against KSU linebackers and DBs, and Patrick Mahomes will be a big issue as far and away the most dynamic signal caller the Wildcats will face early on in the season.

If the past is any indication, Kansas State will likely still be a bit hit or miss in game five offensively, especially since their O-line is so green and they lack true blue playmakers. They simply won't be able to keep up with a Tech offense that will likely be humming along with Mahomes under center.