One of the best teams in the Big 12 over the past decade, Bill Snyder's squad took a major step backwards in 2004. Kansas State had its first losing campaign since 1989 (4-7) and won only two games in league action (2-6). The Wildcats also saw their streak of 11 straight bowl game appearances come to an end and this happened just one season after completely clobbering Oklahoma one year ago in the Big 12's Championship game. K-State came into the season with a leading Heisman candidate in Darren Sproles, but he had a lackluster campaign when teams managed to key on him because of the lack of consistency under quarterback and at wideout. Allen Webb and Dylan Meier failed to establish themselves as the team's quarterback of the future and the Wildcats lost all six of their conference matchups in the fourth quarter, a true sign of a team lacking confidence. 2005 ANALYSIS: OFFENSE: Coach Snyder needs to decide before the start of this season which direction he prefers to have his offense play. If he wants to have a drop back quarterback, then Meier is the obvious choice while Allen Webb has the athletic ability to be one of the conference's top option signal callers. Meier is expected to have the job at the start of the year, but if he struggles or once again suffers an injury, Webb is able to step right in. The loss of Sproles leaves the team lacking a playmaker at tailback. Carlos Alsup takes over at running back, but is not a home run threat and has injury issues to answer. Thomas Clayton (6-0, 210) is also in the mix with great strength and superb quickness. K-State's receivers aren't going to put fear into any opponents, but Yamon Figurs has the speed to stretch defenses and open up the offense at times. DEFENSE: The Wildcats have prided themselves with their defensive play in Snyder's 17 outstanding years at the helm, but that really wasn't the case in 2004. K-State ranked 43rd in the nation in total defense after finishing no worse than sixth in each of the last seven campaigns. The Wildcats were especially susceptible to the run, as they ranked just 60th in the country, allowing 148.3 ypg on the ground. This could be another season where K-State doesn't finish in the top 25 defensive units in the country, but its linebackers will still be outstanding. Senior Ted Sims is primed to return from an injury, Brandon Archer is superb against both the pass and the run, while Marvin Simmons could be a special player if he finally learns to play the game with a mean streak this year. The defensive line and secondary has several holes and depth is a major issue. Scott Edmonds (seven sacks) could be a force on a line that lacks experience and size. SPECIAL TEAMS: Sophomore Jeff Snodgrass will take over as the team's place kicker this season, giving him a chance to showcase a powerful leg. While there is uncertainty in Snodgrass, that just isn't the case with Tim Reyer who is one of the country's best young punters. Reyer averaged over 42 ypp last year and placed 10 kicks inside the 20-yard line. OUTLOOK: It appears that the Wildcats are finally heading back to mediocrity in one of the most competitive conferences in the nation. The offense lacks talent at key positions and the defensive line is so shaky, it could put way too much stress on the linebacking corps. Snyder is a master motivator and an outstanding talent evaluator, but he has his work cut out for him this season if his quarterbacks again struggle. The defense will not be able to bail out K-State when the offense sputters, while late game mistakes and inexperience will become all too common in 2005.