Eastern Kentucky @ Kansas State preview

THE STORY: Kansas State will try to qualify for consecutive bowl games for the first time since 2003. Last year, the Wildcats earned an invitation to the Pinstripe Bowl, but lost 36-34 to Syracuse at Yankee Stadium. Eastern Kentucky went 6-5 in 2010 and returns 15 starters from a team that fell one win short of an Ohio Valley Conference title. The Wildcats are coming off their first winning season since 2006.

TV: K-StateHD.TV. LINE: None.

ABOUT EASTERN KENTUCKY (6-5 in 2010): Eastern Kentucky won four straight games to close out 2010 after a 2-5 start. The Colonels, who have six preseason All-OVC selections, hope the momentum carries over. Eastern Kentucky will be led by QB T.J. Pryor, a junior who is closing in on all the school’s major passing records. Pryor had 12 passing and nine rushing touchdowns in 2010.

ABOUT KANSAS STATE (7-6 in 2010): Legendary coach Bill Snyder returned to the sideline in 2009 to take over a program that had fallen on hard times after his initial retirement following the 2005 season. So far, the Wildcats have experienced marginal success, but they will need to improve on defense if they are to continue to make strides. Last year, Kansas State’s defense gave up 40 or more points four times and ranked 106th in total defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Kansas State has won 21 straight home openers.

2. Eastern Kentucky has had a winning season in 32 of the last 33 years.

3. The Colonels had the second-best scoring defense in the OVC last year, allowing 22.7 points per game.

PREDICTION: Kansas State 40, Eastern Kentucky 13 - The Wildcats nearly lost to an FCS opponent (Massachusetts) as recently as 2009, but shouldn’t have trouble with the Colonels.