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College Football Rankings: Top 25 entering spring games

By Brad Weiss

December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
December 31, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; General view of the College Football Playoff championship trophy during the game between the Clemson Tigers and Ohio State Buckeyes at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 3, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jesse Ertz (16) throws a pass during during team warm-ups before an NCAA football game against TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 3, 2016; Fort Worth, TX, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Jesse Ertz (16) throws a pass during during team warm-ups before an NCAA football game against TCU Horned Frogs at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports /
19

Kansas State Wildcats

2016: 9-4, Big 12

It has been a rough offseason for the Kansas State Wildcats football program, and their head coach and leader Bill Snyder has been going through a tough time with his health. The legendary coach is suffering from throat cancer, but all signs point to him being able to steer this team in the right direction in 2017. He has a solid senior quarterback returning, and with 14 returning starters on both sides of the ball, the Wildcats could be a serious contender to win the Big 12 this season.

It all starts with Jesse Ertz, a run-first quarterback who can make plays all over the field. However, Ertz is coming off of offseason shoulder surgery and is not likely to take part in spring drills. Still, he has the experience needed to win big games in the Big 12, and he will be needed to be at his best with a very tough road schedule ahead of him in 2017.

The Wildcats will travel to Oklahoma State, Texas, and Texas Tech this season, with all three teams supposed to be solid on offense. Oklahoma and West Virginia will come to town and will be looking to exploit a Wildcats defense that lost a bunch of their stars after last season. Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year Jordan Willis is gone, so the team is going to have to find a way to replace his production on that side of the ball.

Luckily for Ertz, the offensive line should be solid this season, and running back Alex Barnes will be a nice replacement for Charles Jones in the backfield. If Reggie Walker can improve on a solid freshman season, the Wildcats should be able to get after the quarterback, which is going to be needed in a pass-happy Big 12 this season. Kansas State is going to be a tough team do beat, and it would surprise nobody if they finished the year with double-digit wins.

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