Some bold predictions for Kansas State football heading into the 2023 season

MANHATTAN — Kansas State football enters the 2023 season as the defending Big 12 champion and nationally ranked in both major preseason polls for the first time in six years, so expectations are understandably high across Wildcat nation.

The Wildcats return several key contributors to last year's 10-4 record, which also included a first-ever trip to the Sugar Bowl.

Here are a few bold predictions for the Wildcats in 2023 as they count down to the Sept. 2 season opener against Southeast Missouri at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Related: Why Kansas State football quarterback Will Howard is oozing confidence for the 2023 season

Will Howard will become only the third K-State quarterback to pass for 3,000 yards in a season

In four years under coach Chris Klieman, the Wildcats have yet to truly cut loose in the passing game, in part because they had an All-America running back in Deuce Vaughn for three of those seasons.

But Collin Klein showed a willingness last year in his first season as offensive coordinator to be much more aggressive, throwing the ball downfield. That was true when Will Howard took over for injured starter Adrian Martinez, and Howard responded by throwing for 1,633 yards and 15 touchdowns in seven games.

With Howard entrenched as the starter and operating behind a veteran offensive line, look for the Wildcats to take more vertical shots. The 6-foot-5, 242-pound signal caller returns a favorite target in tight end Ben Sinnott, last year's breakout star, and Iowa transfer Keagan Johnson should provide a deep threat as well.

Only Jake Waters in 2014 (3.501) and Josh Freeman in 2007 (3,353) have previously eclipsed the 3,000-yard mark, but Howard has both the arm and an offensive coordinator who seems willing to let him go for it.

Related: Why Kansas State football senior Khalid Duke welcomed his return to defensive end

Even with Felix Anudike-Uzomah gone to the NFL, the Wildcats will exceed last year's quarterback sack total

Felix Anudike-Uzomah is undeniably one of K-State's all-time great pass rushers, recording 19.5 sacks over the past two years.

But while there might not be anyone on the roster who can match those numbers individually, the Wildcats' depth at defensive end should make last year's 30 team sacks a reachable number.

Senior Khalid Duke moved from linebacker to end during the offseason and has the potential to put up Anudike-Uzomah numbers. When turned loose last year against Texas Tech, he had three sacks in a single game.

At the other end, former walk-on Brendan Mott came into his own last year and recorded six sacks, including three at West Virginia. Defensive coordinator Joe Klanderman called junior Nate Matlack, who was hampered all last season by a high ankle sprain, "one of the best pass rushers in the country."

K-State will surpass the preseason over-under win total of 7.5

History, and recent history, in particular, suggests that the Las Vegas over-under for the Wildcats is on the low side.

K-State is coming off a 10-win season and a Big 12 championship, was picked second Behind only Texas in the conference preseason poll and No. 16 and 17 by the coaches and media national polls.

And then there is Klieman's track record, with the Wildcats winning eight or more games in three of his four seasons. The line exception was 2020, when the team got off to a 4-1 start, only to be ravaged by COVID-19 and drop its last five games.

Related: North Dakota State connection helped steer Marques Sigle toward Kansas State football

A handful of transfers can help put the Wildcats over the top

Klieman talks often about K-State's history as a developmental program and the importance of homegrown talent for consistency. That certainly has proven to be true over the years, though transfers have played a key role as well over the past few years.

Look again for these five transfers — three from the portal and two from the junior college ranks — to be difference-makers in 2023.

On offense, all eight returning starters came up through the K-State ranks, but a pair of Division I transfers could help make it a special season.

Iowa transfer Keagan Johnson has drawn raves from coaches and players at wide receiver, where he is seen as a home-run threat. Running back Treshaun Ward, a Florida State transfer, was named Big 12 preseason offensive newcomer of the year and will combine with 2022 backup DJ Giddens to try to fill the void left by All-American Deuce Vaughn.

On defense Garden City Community College transfer Uso Seumalo starts his second season with the Wildcats at nose tackle, but he was stuck behind veterans Eli Huggins and Robert Hentz a year ago. He has slimmed down in the offseason and has been the talk of preseason camp.

The secondary should be enhanced by North Dakota State transfer Marques Sigle at safety and cornerback Will Lee, who helped lead Iowa Western to a national junior college championship. Both have made a big impression and should step into starting roles.

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football bold predictions for 2023 season