Welcome to The Analysis, an in-depth look inside Kansas State's 49-14 season opening win over Nicholls.

K-StateOnline's Chris Nelson, Jimmy Goheen and Derek Young bring you a combination of numbers and analysis unlike you'll find anywhere else.

Skylar Thompson was an efficient 16-of-22 for 212 yards. Thompson was even better on third down, by going 5-of-6 (easily could have been 6-of-6) for 71 yards. That equates to 14.2 yards per completion and 11.8 yards per attempt. Thompson was very good on first down, as well, and if K-State can continue to establish the running game, his efficiency on first down off play action will continue to be high.

In terms of number of snaps under center vs. in the shotgun, K-State was about as balanced as you could be. K-State snapped it 39 times under center and 41 times in the shotgun.

While there was more balance between the run and pass in the shotgun and the yards per play were higher in the gun (8.4 vs. 5.9), I would expect the play action game to play a more prominent role as the Wildcats progress through the season.

Another important stat hidden in these numbers was only one designed run for Thompson. He was not forced to take many hits in a game they did not need him to.

While there was come concern leading up to the season about K-State's play calling being predictable based upon which running back was in the game, the Wildcats did a decent job of keeping a good mix between the run and pass when all three of the featured backs were on the field.

While the vast majority of targets went to the wide receivers, K-State did have three completions to running backs and one to a tight end. The use of multiple formations and skill position players will help to keep this offense diverse and hopefully difficult to defend.