They’re the questions on the mind of Kansas State fans everywhere, but they also beg the answers nobody wants to put their name on. Will Bill Snyder be at K-State after this season? Who would replace him? Are the Wildcats safe as a Power Five school? What type of season will K-State have in 2017? We dive into these topics head on at K-StateOnline, not only addressing them in depth but also offering our best educated answer as to how these scenarios will ultimately play out.

1. Is this Bill Snyder’s last year at Kansas State?

Jeffrey Martin: No. Nothing is going to stop Bill Snyder from coaching K-State football - not even cancer. He faced a future away from the sidelines once before and didn’t like what he encountered, sensing almost immediately he’d made a mistake. It’s unlikely he leaves so abruptly once again, especially if the Wildcats are as successful as most predict. It’s hard for me to imagine that he’d step away, especially with the core pieces of a national contender in 2018 in place. To me, that’s the end game here.

Derek Young: Why quit a good thing? He obviously returned and came back to Kansas State for a reason. A few of those reasons are likely because of his love for the university, and also a love for coaching football. Unless his health demands it, and perhaps it will, he might as well keep chugging along.

Matt Hall: Obviously, at Snyder’s age and with everything he’s given to the program and city of Manhattan, any year could be his last. He also has the program as stocked with young talent as it has been since the early 2000s – leaving it in good position for a successor. That’s not to mention to fact he’s coming off offseason cancer treatment, which would be enough to signal the end for many coaches in Snyder’s shoes. The K-State legend keeps marching on, however, giving no real indication that the end is near. His team is still very successful and clearly seems to be trending upwards, and if he can recover from this kind of treatment to be back in 2017 – what reason is there to think he won’t be back in 2018?

This will not be Snyder’s final year running the Wildcat program.

2. Who will be the next head coach at K-State?

Martin: Sean Snyder. Be in denial if you must, but just look at how everything is shaping up. We all know what Bill Snyder has done for K-State. Hell, he is K-State football. We get it. And while he’s paid a relatively modest salary, it’s a pittance in terms of what he has delivered to this fine university. So, consider the succession plan a nod to a debt that simply can’t be adequately repaid. Look, the only reason K-State is known as K-State, on a national level, is Bill Snyder. And while the previous administration seemed to bristle at the notion of ceding too much control to the legendary coach, the current group has no such qualms.

Bill Snyder decides when he’s done as K-State’s football coach, and Bill Snyder decides who his successor is. So, sure, while names like Jim Leavitt, Brent Venables (!) and others might get tossed around when that day comes, don’t be surprised when the choice is Snyder’s son, whose qualifications have already been questioned.

Young: I think I have a good sense of what style fits K-State and what may be needed at a program like the one in Manhattan. That’s thanks to my time the past few years covering the University of Iowa (where new K-State Athletics Director Gene Taylor was the Deputy AD) and Kirk Ferentz. I think those are similar situations, in regards to how you build a winner at those places and what kind of a coach can do just that.

I don't think it's realistic, but Bret Bielema obviously coached at K-State before, leaving Iowa to be on the Wildcat staff. He's coached at Wisconsin. He's coached at Iowa. He's coached at Kansas State. He'd be a great fit, actually. I just don't think he'd want to succeed Snyder.

I think folks like Sean Snyder and Jim Leavitt are probably more realistic. But, to give an outside perspective and a name likely not tossed around here before, Ferentz’ son Brian Ferentz would seem to be a fit, or at least a name that should be considered a candidate.

Hall: The usual suspects for this answer include Clemson Defensive Coordinator Brent Venables – the dream scenario of many - and Oregon Defensive Coordinator Jim Leavitt. Of course, another name to watch would be that of current Associate Head Coach/Director of Football Operations/Special Teams Coordinator Sean Snyder. Venables would be the best recruiter of the group and bring the most excitement to the program. Snyder would be a choice that would have the greatest chance to provide stability to the Wildcat program and keep it running day-to-day in a manner most similar to how it runs right now. Leavitt would probably provide the best of both worlds.

All of that said, right now it feels like Snyder is the most likely choice. It concerns some, but I don’t see it as a substantially riskier pick than either of the other options – in many ways K-State would likely have a much better chance of knowing what it’s getting with Snyder. If Snyder wants the job (and it’s officially out there that he does), he’s got the inside track on this race and may well be the right pick.

3. Will Kansas State be safe if there’s another round of realignment?

Martin: How do you answer this? The next round of realignment, based solely on the expiration date of the current TV deals, wouldn’t be for another 5-6 years. Do you know how long that is? Apple introduced the iPhone, that ubiquitous smartphone/time-killing device, in 2007. One DECADE has passed since the iPhone entered our lives - what will the next 10 years yield? Of course there will be another round of realignment - people, i.e. administrators, get antsy and don’t want to get left behind.

Nationally, though, I’m not sure I see the allure of adding K-State. But the interest is easier to discern when K-State is considered a package deal with KU in any potential move, which is how the Kansas Board of Regents might orchestrate such a scenario.

Young: There's so many angles, scenarios, topics and other details at play when it comes to realignment and it almost always revolves around money. Little of it revolves around geography. Little of it revolves around anything other than football and money.

I think K-State should be weary and have their antennae up if or when the next round of realignment begins. It's hard to say if they are in jeopardy. I would think they are better off than a school like Iowa State. It really depends what the formation of the alignment will be. Is it going to dwindle to four super conferences at some point?

A lot of folks think it's a strong scenario, but is that the direction it is headed towards despite the fact that the way television is being viewed is changing by the day? Cable viewership is growing less popular by the day. Other avenues such as Amazon, Netflix, Sling TV, Playstation Vue, etc., are becoming more popular by the minute. There's been hints and rumors that Amazon will own some broadcasting rights to the NFL sooner rather than later.

This seems crazy to be a part of the discussion, but the last round of alignment centered on this idea and television rights. The SEC was gaining a network, the Big Ten already had one, and the Pac-12 was in the midst of creating one - and it has been seen as a flop.

What folks have expected from the next round of alignment was dependent upon ideas that aren't really coming to fruition, or are at least being altered drastically.

Hall: First of all, I’m not convinced another round of re-alignment is imminent. There are a lot of things standing in its way. Still, at some point some changes are going to happen. And if something major is going to happen, I think the logical next move pushed for will be four true super conferences of 16 teams, each with two eight-team divisions, to create a true playoff where all eight division winners will make the playoff.

That scenario calls for 64 teams. Since we’re talking worst-case, doomsday scenario here, let’s say the Big 12 dissolves and the four super-conferences become some variation of the Big Ten, ACC, SEC and Pac 12. Let’s assume every team currently in those conferences gets in, that’s 54 spots taken. Notre Dame will be in, leaving nine openings. Just to be safe, let’s toss in BYU, too, taking us to 56. If you don’t see the likes of Houston, Boise, etc., getting in (and I don’t), that means eight of the 10 teams currently in the Big 12 are in. I think Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Oklahoma State & West Virginia are locks. That’s three spots for Texas Tech, Iowa State, Baylor, TCU and K-State to fight over. To me, the I’d rank those teams’ chances in this order: Texas Tech, K-State, TCU, Iowa State, Baylor.

It’s too close for comfort, but that scenario leaves K-State as the 63rd team in to this 64-team pool. And even if you slide TCU ahead of K-State, I don’t think the current landscape – all things considered – puts Baylor or Iowa State in ahead of the Wildcats. And again, this really is a worst-case scenario type thought process. Maybe Washington State gets left out? Maybe Oregon State? Maybe BYU isn’t really a fit for a variety of reasons? What has Vanderbilt done (okay, they’re really smart) to earn a spot? Simply put, there are a lot more scenarios that play out well for K-State than ones that leave the university out in the cold.

4. What will K-State’s record be in 2017?

Martin: 10-2, thanks to the state of Oklahoma. I just don’t see a ton of resistance in the schedule, especially with so many of the name-brand schools coming to Manhattan. To me, the pressure points are Oct. 7 at Texas, Oct. 21 against Oklahoma and Nov. 18 at Oklahoma State. The coaching edge in each of those games, certainly since the first two opponents feature new coaches, is decidedly in K-State’s favor. Maybe it’s the quarterbacks at OU and OSU, but I think the Wildcats stumble against both schools.

NOTE: I just realized Hall has the same prediction. He obviously copied off my sheet.

Young: I don't want to jinx anything, but I would feel secure in giving K-State victories at the beginning of the season over Central Arkansas and Charlotte. The Wildcats should have no problem with either. I have a lot of respect for the Vanderbilt program, especially head coach Derek Mason, and think that will actually be quite a football game, but I do think K-State squeaks out a close win.

Baylor still has some athletes, but they are depleted and lacking depth. Add that to the fact that I think K-State has improved athletically with the last couple classes and are at home, and I see another narrow win. That gives the Wildcats a 4-0 start before headed to Austin.

However, I don't see K-State getting past Texas. I think the style that the Longhorns play isn't a terrific fit for that of the Wildcats, and I do think Texas will look much better and be much more dangerous with Tom Herman as head coach. The talent is there. Charlie Strong didn't fail to recruit. Oh, and K-State hasn't had much luck in Austin as of late.

It's a bit of a tough stretch with TCU coming to town the following the week. Fortunately, the game is in Manhattan. The Horned Frogs have slipped a bit as well from where they were in 2015. Gary Patterson is still a heck of a head coach. One has to think that this group of K-State football players has the grit to bounce back from a tough defeat with a hard-nosed and well-earned win over TCU at home. Or, will they look ahead to Oklahoma the following week? It's a tough stretch with Texas, Oklahoma and TCU in consecutive weeks. I think they have a tough group, though, and that is good enough for one win? Will it be tough enough for two or three? That may be the question of the season. I see a win over TCU and a loss to Oklahoma, making them 5-2 on the year.

The team won't overlook two more opponents, but I will. I have the Wildcats pulling out wins over Kansas and Texas Tech to give them a record of 7-2. West Virginia's system and style could give them fits, but I think K-State can impose its will and style on that showdown in Manhattan. West Virginia is not to be slept on, though, and they never should be with Dana Holgorsen in charge. I still see the Wildcats winning that one to get to 8-2.

I'm a skeptic at heart, and I have to see things a lot of times to believe them. One of those things that I will need to see to believe will be a nationally relevant Oklahoma State team. I know they were pretty good last season and have been under Mike Gundy, and even Les Miles. They're just not a notorious top-10 program consistently, and I refuse to treat and see them as such until they are. I think they're beatable, and I think that is the win of the season for the Wildcats. The two programs will probably enter the contest with similar records, but all the buzz and conversation will likely be on Oklahoma State. That means zilch to me. I think K-State wins in Stillwater followed by a victory over Iowa State that probably won't be decisive at all. Iowa State might be a sneaky bowl team this year.

That leaves the Wildcats and 10-2 and with a shot at the conference title game depending how Texas and OU finish up. Just remember, I'm not all that sure how elite the Big 12 will be at the top, but I think the depth has improved. The bottom has very few cupcakes or easy wins.

Hall: We’ve seen and heard it a million times, anything can happen on any given Saturday in college football. Overlooking any opponent is a critical mistake and can lead to disaster. Fortunately (especially for K-State), I’m not a player or coach within the Wildcat program. This means I can afford to take some things for granted for the purposes of this question.

K-State is not losing to Central Arkansas, Charlotte, Iowa State or Kansas. There are four wins. Each game will represent a challenge and dangerous test in its own way, but the Wildcats are clearly better than Texas Tech, Baylor, TCU and Vanderbilt. Unless the Wildcats have issues that cause them to fail to reach their potential this year, that’s four more wins.

So, you’re looking at 8-0 aside from home games against Oklahoma and West Virginia and road contests at Oklahoma State and Texas. WVU will be no slouch by any stretch, but it’s a game you should win at home. The other three scare me. Road games at Texas and OSU will be major tests, and the last time you would have read about K-State beating Oklahoma in Manhattan would have been in a newspaper or using AOL and dial-up internet (1996).

I think the Wildcats escape Austin, barely, but fall to the Oklahoma schools. I see 10-2, a third-place finish in the Big 12 and a berth in the Cotton Bowl.