Take it from Kansas State and Rutgers. Bowl preparation isn’t what it used to be.
The teams will meet in the Rate Bowl on Thursday in Phoenix, but the list of matters rotating atop the priority list this month is deep and wide.
Coaches have to balance prep time with recruiting and keeping track of their roster and other names in the transfer portal. And both teams are away from home to play the day after Christmas.
“We’re limited in the amount of time (to game plan) because of portal kids on campus pretty much every day,” Kansas State head coach Chris Klieman said. “That’s the balance we have to adjust to. I hope we get it figured out in college football in the near future.”
The game itself features clubs from the Big 12 and Big Ten that had aspirations higher than this game after starting the season with success.
Kansas State (8-4) started the season 7-1 and had its sights set on playing for the Big 12 championship and a possible spot in the College Football Playoff. The Wildcats lost three of their final four games. Rutgers (7-5) started the season 4-0 before losing four straight.
Kansas State is led by dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson, who rushed for 548 yards (45.7 per game), second most on the team, and passed for 2,517 yards (209.8 per game) with 28 total touchdowns (22 passing and six rushing). DJ Giddens, who averaged 111.9 yards per game, has declared for the NFL draft and will sit out, but the Wildcats still have plenty of firepower.
The Wildcats prioritize the ground game — running the ball on offense and working to take away their opponent’s running game on defense. Their 204.5 rushing yards per game were third in the Big 12 and their 114.9 yards allowed on the ground led the conference.
Klieman said the Wildcats have weathered the storm created by the lure of the transfer portal.
“The core of our best players returned,” Klieman said. “Those kids are still getting contacted. It is what it is. I’m excited that those core players have stuck together. We’re excited (about the Rate Bowl). We’re going to play a lot of young kids on the 26th, but we’ve got a lot of veterans who have played a lot of football who are going to play on the 26th.
“I’m excited for (running backs Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson). It’s their chance to get established. We know a lot of things Dylan can do, and we’re excited to be able to showcase those things.”
Rutgers has the idea of balance figured out schematically.
The Scarlet Knights are averaging 381.2 yards per game overall and allowing 381.5 yards per game. They get 204.9 of those yards through the air and 176.3 on the ground.
Their rushing offense is heavily dependent on Kyle Monangai, who averaged 116.3 yards per game and 13 of Rutgers’ 24 rushing touchdowns.
On the passing side, quarterback Athan Kaliakmanus has thrown every pass this season. He completed 54.8 percent of his throws for 2,459 yards, 17 touchdowns and six interceptions. His primary targets are Dymere Miller (57 catches, 731 yards and four touchdowns) and Ian Strong (38, 571, five).
“Offensively, we’ve been finding our stride,” head coach Greg Schiano said. “It’s important to keep up the continuity.”
Schiano said his team knows a tough game awaits.
“We’ve had some good practices, because Kansas State is a really good team. I’ve done a lot of studying. This is quite a formidable opponent.
“We’ve transitioned over from development (work) to game planning. Some guys have had a little bit of rest, so I’m really excited about getting into the meat and potatoes of getting ready.”
–Field Level Media
