Five reasons why K-State vs. NC State should be a must-see game at the Pop-Tarts Bowl

North Carolina State football coach Dave Doeren had an interesting exchange with a reporter on Wednesday in Orlando that perfectly summed up why the Pop-Tarts Bowl is loaded with meaning for both his team and the Kansas State Wildcats.

When Doeren was asked if he planned to follow through on his promise to celebrate a potential victory over K-State by eating Pop-Tarts and drinking bourbon on the field at Camping World Stadium he did everything within his power to steer the conversation away from that topic and bring it back to the game itself.

“Isn’t it funny that the stupidest stuff we say is what I get asked about all the time?” Doeren said. “Nobody asks about (quarterback) Brennan Armstrong or (linebacker) Payton Wilson. They want to know about bourbon and Pop-Tarts.”

He has a point.

For all the silliness that has surrounded this game, it could turn out to be one of the most entertaining matchups of the postseason for reasons that have nothing to do with toasted pastries, edible mascots, fun trophies and delicious victory celebrations.

Only 10 bowl games feature a pair of ranked teams, and this will be the first of them. No. 18 NC State (9-3) is highly motivated to win 10 games in a season. No. 25 K-State (8-4) is eager to prove itself on a national stage. Kickoff is set for 4:45 p.m. (Central) on Thursday with an ESPN broadcast.

“Guys are extremely excited about the opportunity,” K-State football coach Chris Klieman said. “K-State has never been in Florida before for a bowl game, and it’s a lot better than being in Manhattan with the weather right now.”

NC State is also itching to play in Orlando for the first time under Doeren.

Both sides have lost transfers and said goodbye to “opt-outs,” but the players who remain on both rosters want to be here. Unlike some bowls, motivation won’t be an issue for either team.

“It’s going to be a fun football game for people that like this sport,” Doeren said. “You’re going to see two really well coached teams. We are two teams that fight, and I think that’s going to be a lot of fun to watch.”

Here are a few other reasons why this game should be entertaining for those in attendance and everyone watching from home:

The Avery Johnson era is underway

Avery Johnson saw plenty of playing time this season and even made one start as a wide receiver. Still, this feels like his true debut as a college quarterback.

Johnson is scheduled to make his first start as K-State’s QB1 following the transfer of Will Howard. That alone should make this a thrilling game for K-State fans.

The 6-foot-2 freshman from Maize has already wowed crowds with his legs and big-play ability. He ended the regular season with 301 yards and three touchdowns as a passer to go along with 225 yards and six touchdowns as a rusher. But all of that came while he was serving as a complementary quarterback behind Howard.

Things are different now. This is his team.

Klieman has been impressed by the way Johnson has grown as a leader during bowl practices, especially without a full-time quarterback coach helping him.

“He’s very calm,” Klieman said. “Everybody knows he’s a competitor, but his leadership has really taken off. To watch him interact with some of the older wide receivers and offensive linemen, they believe in him. We believe in him. We trust him. He still makes mistakes. He’s a young player, but he’s going to make some splash plays just like he did this year. I’m excited for his opportunity, because he’s earned the opportunity.”

Johnson has something to prove.

“Really just that I can throw the ball,” Johnson said. “I feel like I’ve proved that I’m really electric with my legs. But really just the people inside the facility know what I’m capable of with my arm.”

This is a look into the future for K-State

Johnson is the main attraction, but several other K-State players will handle larger workloads than normal against NC State.

There are many opportunities without key transfers and opt-outs, like tight end Ben Sinnott and wide receiver Phillip Brooks.

Klieman has said that fans can keep an eye on Garrett Oakley and Will Swanson at tight end, Tre Spivey and Seth Porter at wide receiver, Jack Fabris and Colby McCalister at safety and Joe Jackson at running back.

If Johnson connects with Oakley for some big plays in the passing game, it could be the beginning of a brand new Howard/Sinnott connection for the offense.

There will be an edible mascot

OK, we can shift the focus away from football for at least one of these topics.

Much has been made about the edible Pop-Tarts mascot that will be roaming the sideline at Camping World Stadium. The winning team will get to eat it while they celebrate. But what will this creation actually look like? And what flavor will it be?

Details have been scarce. It will be exciting to see the finished product.

NC State doesn’t take bowl games for granted

Two years ago, North Carolina State traveled all the way to San Diego for a game against UCLA in the Holiday Bowl.

The Wolfpack were excited to be there and eager to play, but they never got the chance to do so because the Bruins backed out of the game at the last minute because of COVID-19 concerns.

Losing the opportunity to play in that game hurt Doeren and his players so much that he still references it today.

“For the kids on our team that were part of the Holiday Bowl and didn’t get to play because of what happened, there’s that extra motivation,” Doeren said. “Walking down to the team room for your final meal and finding out you don’t get to play in a bowl game was pretty tough. So to be back here with an opportunity to compete for our 10th win is meaningful.”

Audition for offensive coordinator

Conor Riley can make his case for offensive coordinator in this game.

K-State’s offensive line coach was elevated to the role of interim play-caller following the departure of Collin Klein to Texas A&M. It will be interesting to see how he handles the opportunity. If the Wildcats put up big numbers against the Wolfpack, this could be his ticket to the full-time gig.

The Wildcats clearly have confidence in him.

“We were assistants together at North Dakota State and I brought him here,” Klieman said. “I’ve been over a decade with this guy. He’s the best offensive line coach in the country. And he earned the right to have that title for this game and to be out in front of the guys. So I’m excited about what he’s going to bring and I know the players are excited.”