As Nebraska’s 2010 spring football season is over, Husker Locker takes a glance at what NU’s opponents – as well as the Big 12 and the nation as a whole - are doing this spring.

Team: Kansas State (6-6 last year, lost to Nebraska 17-3)
Coach: Bill Snyder (142-74-1)
Plays Nebraska: Oct. 7, 2010 (Thursday)
Spring Game: April 24

Summary: Bill Snyder won’t be sneaking up on any opponent in 2010. Of that we’re certain. Now that Big 12 coaches - many of them fairly new - have a year of film on Snyder’s offense and the Wildcats’ defense, it’ll be harder for even this solid coaching staff to consistently outscheme the league.

Which leaves the talent. Just how much of there is it - and is this hodgepodge of second-tier four-year guys and JUCO transfers enough to make serious noise atop the Big 12 North? Not if anyone gets hurt. KSU has little quality depth to speak of on either side of the ball. If the Wildcats stay healthy - and play to their strengths of a good offensive line and All Big 12 running back Daniel Thomas, there is a chance, albeit slight, that they blitz through the open portion of the conference and hold on during the back end. A chance.

Progress so far: Much will be asked of quarterback Carson Coffman, who lit up spring ball with more than 400 yards passing in a 41-38 win that was, essentially, all of the first team’s points. The offensive live returns four starters with a combine 34 starts, which should give Coffman some time to throw. Brodrick Smith, a Garden City, Kan., native who transferred back from Minnesota, now becomes the lead receiving threat.

Snyder plays at a quarterback race, but it’s really Coffman’s to win or lose. He was named one of six captains as spring ended, and he has far more upside than the guy who replaced him last, Grant Gregory. But Coffman has to limit foolish mistakes and let Thomas, arguably the nation’s best “big” back, do the dirty work.

On defense, Kansas State worked this on getting defensive end Brandon Harold back in the swing after missing most of 2009 with an injury - he then missed the spring game, too, with an academic issue - while looking to shore up the linebacking corps, too. The secondary, featuring Emmanuel Lamur, is probably the ste

Breakout player: Smith, who, on video, looks like a bona fide No. 1 receiver for years to come. Of course, he was performing against KSU’s scrubs. On defense, Lamur is a 6-foot-4 rangy safety. He’s NFL-bound.

What You May Not Know: The Wildcats’ placekicker, Josh Cherry, is a native of McCook. He’s the only Nebraska native on the roster, too.

Keep an eye on: KSU’s recruiting. Already the Wildcats have eight commitments for 2011. That’s rare for Snyder, but it’s for a reason - the cupboard, right now, is not remotely full. Do not be surprised if Snyder signs a monster class of 25-32 players and simply replaces some of the Wildcats’ roster, which does not appear to be capable of being competitive in 2011 or 2012.

Spring Opponent Reports: Kansas State Kansas, Western Kentucky, Colorado

Husker Spring Reviews: Quarterback, Offensive Line Running Back, Wide Receiver, Tight End, Defensive Line, Linebackers, Defensive Backs, Special Teams

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