Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas

Kansas State Wildcats

2010 Record: 7-6, Tied for 7th in Big 12

2010 Bowl: Lost to Syracuse in the Pinstripe Bowl, 36-34

Returning Starters: Offense (5), Defense (6)

Overview: Bill Snyder enters the 3rd year of his second go-around at the head of the Wildcats’ program looking to build on last year’s 7-6 record. Synder led Kansas State through the most productive decade in program history, including 10 straight bowl appearances from 1993-2003. He retired in 2005 but rejoined the program in 2008 following Ron Prince’s departure. This year Snyder returns only 11 starters and must replace both starting quarterback Carson Coffman and starting runningback Daniel Thomas, who was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Miami Dolphins. Thomas exits Kansas State second in career rushing yards and single season rushing yards, third in career carries and fourth in career rushing touchdowns, despite only starting at Kansas State for two and a half years.

Replacing Thomas will be difficult, but the Wildcats run game will be boosted by incoming transfer Bryce Brown, who was highest ranked player in the country in 2008. The Wichita, Kansas native chose to transfer from Tennessee and enroll with his older brother, linebacker Arthur Brown, at Kansas State. The elder Brown was also a five star recruit and has had an exceptional spring. He will start at middle linebacker and work to improve a Wildcat defense that finished 119th out of 120 FBS teams in rushing defense last season.

Key Matchup: Kansas State at Texas, November 19th: The Wildcats travel to Austin for their last game of the regular season hoping to build on what could be the strangest series superiority in the Big 12. Despite the Longhorns’ overall success throughout the last decade, Kansas State owns a 6-2 advantage in the series since the Big 12 was formed. The Wildcats ran Texas out of Manhattan last year, rushing for 261 yards and 5 touchdowns (while only attempting 4 passes) en route to a 39-14 victory.  With Texas possibly still adjusting to a new coaching staff in 2011, Kansas State could continue to increase its surprising advantage over the Longhorns.

Impact Newcomer: Bryce Brown, RB: Ranked as the number one overall prospect coming out of high school in 2008, Brown received offers from a number of big name FBS programs. He extended his recruitment past signing day and eventually settled on the University of Tennessee, serving as the backup runningback and rushing for 460 yards in limited duty. However, following Phillip Fulmer’s exit as head coach of the Tennessee program, Brown left during the spring semester of his freshman year and transferred to Kansas State. He sat out last season per NCAA rules but should begin the year as the starter after running for 73 yards and two touchdowns in the Wildcats’ spring game despite a nagging ankle injury.

Coach’s Quotes: “Bryce comes in having spent a season with us in a redshirt capacity and has learned a lot. He is ahead of Daniel (Thomas) when Daniel started his first season” - Head Coach Bill Snyder

Northwestern Wildcats

2010 Record: 7-6, Tied for 7th in the Big Ten

2010 Bowl: Lost to Texas Tech 45-38 in the TicketCity Bowl

Returning Starters:  Offense (9), Defense (7)

Overview: The roller coaster season that Northwestern experienced in 2010 was perfectly illustrated in the Wildcats 21-17 upset over Iowa in Week 11. The Wildcats started the season 5-0, but then lost 3 of 4 before traveling to Iowa City to face the 13th ranked Hawkeyes. Quarterback Dan Persa threw a 20 yard strike to Demetrius Fields in the end zone with 1:22 left in the game to put the Wildcats up for good, but then tore his Achilles tendon during the celebration and was out for the rest of the year. Persa’s absence was definitely felt throughout the last three games, as the Wildcats ultimately finished out the season 0-3 with a 45-38 loss to Texas Tech in the TicketCity Bowl.

Persa will be back this year and joining him on offense will be 8 returning starters from 2010, including 4 on the offensive line. But Northwestern’s season will likely depend on how Persa handles his return from injury. The senior quarterback was one of the most productive players in the Big Ten last year, setting a conference record by completing 73.5% of his passes. His 24 touchdowns also accounted for 70% of the Wildcats’ overall offensive production. The defense will be led by preseason 1st Team All Big Ten defensive end Vince Browne. The converted linebacker started to reach his full potential last year at his new position and led the Wildcats with 7 sacks and 15.5 tackles for a loss.

Key Matchup: Northwestern at Boston College, September 3rd: The Wildcats open up their non-conference schedule with a challenging game against Boston College. The Eagles have been a middle of the pack ACC team since star quarterback Matt Ryan left. However, they should still provide an immediate test for Persa as he returns from his Achilles injury, especially with Eagles linebacker Luke Kuechly lurking on the defensive side of the ball. Kuechly recorded an astonishing 183 tackles last year, so the Wildcats veteran offensive line will need to step up in a big way if they want to leave Chestnut Hill with a victory.

Impact Newcomer: Brian Arnfelt, DT: Arnfelt isn’t exactly a newcomer; he appeared in all 13 of the Wildcats’ games last year, including one starting nod against Iowa. But this will be Arnfelt’s first year to start and get significant playing time. The 6 foot 5, 295 pound junior certainly has the size to make an impact. If he and returning starter Jack DiNardo are able to play well enough to demand double teams from opposing offensive lines, it should open up even more space for Browne to wreak havoc on Big Ten quarterbacks.

Coach’s Quotes: “To have a Heisman Trophy candidate come back at quarterback for us is something that gives me a little bit extra sleep at night.” – Head Coach Pat Fitzgerald on the return of Dan Persa