Championship Week

Time to get serious about Saturday.

With a rested team on a mission, everyone seems to like K-State's chances this week.  Conventional thinking would say this is a game KSU can, and should, win. We've built up a lot of positive karma over UT over the years, beating Mack Brown 6 times in 8 attempts.  Saturday would be Win #7.

Despite the history heavily slanted in KSU's favor (the only two games they beat KSU Vince Young was running the show), Brown and Snyder have remained close personal friends throughout the years.  Together, the two form the league's most tenured coaches, Brown having started in 1998, Snyder, 1989.

Even as early as August of this year, Brown was not excited about the prospect of playing KSU.

Especially not at the end of the year.

"Nobody wants to end up at Kansas State in December," he said. "That is not a slot everybody is working to get, I'll tell you that. That was not a positive option." 

Nevermind the fact the Wildcats have won each of their past four meetings with Texas. Brown wants to get in and get out. 

"I called coach [Bill] Snyder and said we wanted that at 10 o'clock in the morning," Brown said. "He said, 'We only play at night in December. It's really tough to get our lights to work until December, and then they work really well.'"

We have consistently had Texas' number in game management, big plays, play calling, adjustments, and for whatever reason, we have always looked more disciplined, better coached, and at times, more athletic. How a team with the recruiting resources and athletes that UT appears to be bringing in each year doesn't just run through KSU each and every time they face each other is one of the BigXII's greatest mysteries.

Even Ron Prince got the best of Brown in the two years he faced them.  Now THAT's saying something as the UT games were the only signature wins of Prince's time in Manhattan.

So, will that trend continue?  I believe it will.

Though this team has not faced this kind of adversity since the 2011 OSU loss in Stillwater, I am confident the time off was exactly what was needed to properly process the Baylor loss and correct the mistakes that were made, get healthy, heal a few physical and mental bruises, and come out hitting on all cylinders.

It's hard to believe this is the last time we'll see Klein, Brown, and Harper on the field, but Saturday's Senior Night should prove to be another magical chapter in the Bill Snyder 2.0 era, live and in living color on national television.

This time, KSU will not disappoint.

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The Salute Podcast has another great broadcast to discuss this weeks game. Love these guys and appreciate their efforts each week.  They also list out this years Senior Class on Defense for your review prior to Saturday.  Very good discussion on the Heisman race as well.  

The UT game discussion comes at the 44 minute mark if you want to skip right to it.

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Here's a video from ESPN's Brad Edwards talking about this weekend's game, asking ... is Texas tough enough to come out of Manhattan with a win?

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In response to Monday's discussion on the SEC and conference realignment, Dennis Dodd writes why staying at 10 is actually in the BigXII's best interest, even in the face of all of the other realignment discussions going on.

One industry source estimated Big 12 schools will be cashing checks for $30 million-plus in the first year of the playoff beginning in 2014. The total now stands at approximately $20 million per school. Beginning in 2014, the Big 12 will begin taking in $40 million per year from the alignment with the Sugar Bowl (previously Champions Bowl).

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Here's a video compilation of all the wins over Texas in the last 12 years (couldn't find anything decent of our 1998 and 1999 wins):

The 2006 45-42 win over #4 UT in Manhattan.

The 2007 41-21 thrashing of #7 UT in Austin and the original "Ron Prince Stomp."

The 1997-2010 KSU vs. Texas highlight package set to some really really bad music.  

I mean un-listenable bad.

The 2010 39-14 win over UT.  

More importantly, a young Collin Klein comes in for an injured Carson Coffman, 

and proceeds to do what he does best ... score.

The 2011 17-13 win in Austin.

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I think we can all agree this game Saturday has the potential of being the most important regular season game in the history of K-State.

Yes, I know I've said this a lot this season. Each game has carried that extra bit of magnitude just because of the journey we are on. Games in any championship run we've made, whether it was 1997, 1998, 1999, or 2003, had the same type of feel that every game was the next biggest game ever. To that end, any time KSU has a realistic shot at a National or BigXII championship, there are defining games during the course of those seasons.

Let's look at seven (7) games that might be under the same consideration for the MIRSGOAT (Most Important Regular Season Game Of All-Time):

• 1997 @ #3 Nebraska (L):  As the only loss on the schedule in 1997, this game was huge.  A win in Lincoln here would of the first one in 30 years, and looking back, a win here would have put KSU in the National Title game.  Unfortunately, #17 KSU lost and ended up winning out, facing Syracuse in the what was then the Bowl Alliance.

• 1998 #11 Nebraska (W):  With an undefeated season on the line, a 9-0 record and a #2 ranking, the Cats faced the #11 Huskers in Manhattan in a monster matchup.  We all know KSU went on to get to the championship game, only to lose and get knocked all the way down to the Alamo.

• 1998 @ #19 Missouri (W):  After defeating the Huskers the week before, this game became the biggest game in KSU history because it allowed us to clinch the conference and move to 11-0.

• 1999 @ #7 Nebraska (L):  With a #5 ranking and a 9-0 record on the road to Lincoln, a win here would have again put in the conversation for a national title.  The Huskers crushed KSU and knocked us into the Holiday bowl.

• 2012 @ #6 Oklahoma (W):  With a #15 national ranking, a win here over the conference favorite and all-time leading yardage QB for OU opened the door for a run at a conference championship and possible national championship.  This win served as a the catapult that put Klein in the Heisman discussion and allowed KSU to snap OU's win streak under Stoops over ranked teams at home.

• 2012 @ Baylor (L):  With a #1 BCS ranking for the first time in school history, an SI cover, a consensus frontrunner for Heisman, a candidate for National Coach of the Year, and a 10-0 record, a win here puts KSU in the drivers seat for a shot at the national title.  KSU lost and all of that disappeared.

• 2012 #18 Texas:  With the national title dream crushed, KSU still must win here to win it's 2nd Conference Championship.  This game now becomes even more special in the regular season because of the new format (no Championship Game).  So by it's very nature, this becomes the most important regular season game of all time, because by winning it, we win a championship.

And winning championships is what it's all about.

Margin of Error: Zero

It all could have ended on Saturday.

With an OSU win over OU in Bedlam, the Cats could have locked up their 2nd Big XII title and coasted into the UT game with little more to play for than a chance for Klein to pad his Heisman resume.  

But, that's not how it is for the Wildcats.  Things have never come easy.  They never will come easy.  KSU must fight, scratch, and claw for nearly everything it's ever gotten, and backing into a championship is not the way things are done in Manhattan.  And, as expected, not one other game went KSU's way over the course of the weekend, which for all practical purposes effectively knocked the Cats out of the national title race completely.

Now, like Klein's Heisman chances, there is no margin for error.  

There are no other roads to the Big XII Championship remaining save a last gasp effort by TCU to possibly knock off OU on Saturday in Fort Worth. With the way things have gone so far the 2nd half of the season, the odds of that happening are growing slimmer by the day.

We'll know their fate by kickoff -- and there's a very good chance by then our backs will officially be against the wall.  

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If Baylor proved anything, stats lie.  Lie. Lie. Lie.

We owned Baylor in nearly every stat possible.  So much so, it was an embarrassment of statistical riches. I was fairly convinced a cake walk was in order.  Well, if anything I owe them an apology. They are clearly better than I gave them credit for (even though I think we can all agree that game was a complete anomaly when held up against the 2-year resume of this group of players.)

So, to that end, let's look at the stats this week in light of playing the hated Longhorns.  

What stands out?  Well for one, how a team can be #1 in the conference in Tackles for Loss, but last in Rush Defense, makes absolutely no statistical sense.  If you have the ability to tackle behind the line of scrimmage, so much so that you're leading the conference, and yet have the league's worst Rush Defense says to me this is a team that's susceptible to some big plays in the running game.  

UT is also fantastic at Punting as they lead the conference.  But problems occur when they are returning the ball -- they rank #9 in Punt Returns.  Conversely, KSU leads the conference here.  Something has to give, and I'd expect the colder weather will play a big role in Special Teams, hopefully keeping the ball down and eliminate any advantage UT might have in pinning us too deep on punts, while also allowing our #1 Kickoff Return unit a chance to set up a few short fields.

One other statistical quick hit:  KSU has given up 82 less points this season, while scoring 39 more, than UT.  KSU has only given up 229 points this year.  Second place goes to TCU (253).

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The only notable win here is @ OSU.  That was a really good win on the road in Stillwater.  

They played West Virginia close and lost, were completely crushed by Oklahoma, then went on to beat four of the weaker schools in the conference (yes, I'm putting Baylor in there. Dang it.)  Of course, winning at Tech is never easy, but how a team with that much talent can only muster 21 points against Kansas is just amazing.  

They did nothing offensively in a loss to TCU last weekend.  Again at home.  And for anyone who watched that game, it was pretty obvious TCU's defense is still really really good, and UT's QB's were again over matched by a team with a superior defense.  

This is a team that's 9 points from being 7-5 ... and 10 points away from being 10-1.  Not sure what to make of that.  In the end, a loss to KSU to end the season will only further underscore the obvious: it's been another down year (again) for Texas.

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It appears Brown has decided McCoy will be the starter in Manhattan, due to a possible injury to Ash, although Mack won't deny or confirm.  

McCoy led Texas to its only touchdown against TCU before throwing the game-clinching interception in the final two minutes. The loss crushed Texas' hopes of grabbing a share of the Big 12 title and a possible BCS bowl bid. 

McCoy, a junior has had moments that dazzled and frustrated Texas fans.
His scramble against Texas A&M last season set up the game-winning field goal in the final meeting of that traditional rivalry. The next week at Baylor, McCoy had five turnovers in a Texas loss and he hasn't started a game since. 

With Ash hurt, Texas also is preparing punter Alex King as the Longhorns' emergency quarterback. King, a senior who transferred this season from Duke, played quarterback in high school and played the position for the Blue Devils' scout team. 

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Thought this from KUT News was pretty funny.  They did call this UT's toughest game of the year, and then added this little tidbit about Mack's salary.

Last January University regents awarded Brown a 2020 extension to his contract —an extension that would add $23 million to his total contract value, include a $750 gift card to an Austin gun shop, and $60,000 to serve as the chairman of the University’s Golf Club. Altogether it made Brown the second highest paid head football coach in the nation.

Not a $75,000 gift card.  Not a $7,500 gift card.

A $750 gift card. (Added to the $23 million contract extension.)

Good to see the 2nd highest paid coach in the country is good for only 4th place in his own conference.

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Mad about the current turn of events for the Cats?  

Still can't shake that eerie feeling KSU is going to still get screwed somehow?  

Tired of seeing a freshman with one memorable win under his belt get more media attention from ESPN in two weeks than Klein has gotten in two years?

Well, put all that misplaced anger aside for a second and read this on the state of expansion and how it directly affects perception, schedule, and rankings (by Jon Morse @ Bring on the Cats).  If this doesn't get you fired up that the Big XII just staying at 10 teams could possible severely hurt us going forward, I'm not sure what else will (maybe another article on Johnny Football, the new Heisman frontrunner?)

This was a fantastic read.

It's not that the SEC is overrated. 

It's that the Big 12 structure absolutely begs for the Big 12 to be underrated. Bob Bowlsby, DeLoss Dodds... you need to address this right now. 

It doesn't even actually matter who the four teams you get are, although obviously you shouldn't be stupid about it. But the Big 12 must join the party and get to 14, or we're going to be left behind. 

Get to work.

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Hey, we made The League last week:

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Here's some Twitter chatter on the Heisman race:

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Joshua Kinder nails this Heisman article for The Manhattan Mercury:

Manziel, or Johnny Football, is a one-hit wonder — his team’s win over Alabama. 

I’ve never seen one player get so much mileage from a single win. Sure, the season numbers are there, but he did it against a top-heavy SEC. His best games were against the league’s bottom feeders and a pair of FCS teams, while completely disappearing in losses to Florida and LSU. 

Against three teams ranked in the BCS Top 25, Manziel has averaged 294 yards of offense with just three touchdowns and three interceptions. Against nine unranked opponents, Manziel is averaging 413 yards per game with 40 touchdowns and five interceptions. Enough said right?

But there’s more to Manziel than just great games against bad teams and his deceiving SEC-record 4,600 total yards of offense this season.  There’s that arrest record as well. 

If Manziel gets credit for the SEC record, then he should also take credit for his other record, the one stemming from a bar fight this last June when he was arrested for disorderly conduct, failure to identify and for using a fake ID. 

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Striking Midnight

As I sat miserably in the Hong Kong airport food court at 11:00 am Sunday morning fighting through a watery coke, a luke warm Quarter Pounder, and some stale fries and a strawberry shake that was more melted vanilla than anything else, I watched the dream season unravel through 30 sec. updates on my phone (likely racking up ridiculous roaming fees I'm scared to look up).  

I didn't get to watch the game live. I never saw the 4th quarter since we had to take off.  I have yet to watch a single highlight.  I've only barely looked over the doom and gloom on the message boards and the twitterverse.

Will I go back and watch the game over Thanksgiving?  No, I won't. A protection of sorts probably from having to face the horror head on.  I've never rewatched 1998 BigXII Championship game, the 2003 Fiesta Bowl, Game 3 of the '06 NBA Finals, the '10 World Series, or Game 6 of the '11 World Series.  There are some games just so emotionally scarring I just don't need to see them again.

So, I had a lot of time to think about how to address what happened Saturday. (24 straight hours of thinking, to be exact ... from Shenzhen, to Seoul, to Seattle, to Dallas).  Knowing I'd have to come home and address the masses regarding yet another heartwrenching Kansas State loss during a time of high prosperity is never easy.  But, inevitable.

So, what should be the theme? What to focus on?  What is the appropriate way to properly discuss and process and over analyze what being (yet again) in the Grand Ballroom was like, only to have the fairy tale come crashing down once more in the eleventh (twelfth) hour?

So many directions one could go:

• A cynical discussion on yet another brutal chapter to add to the annuals of KSU football history?  Too defeatist.

• A statistical analysis regarding the lack of true depth and the impact of injuries to play makers all over the field, including Klein?  Too obvious.

• A fiery diatribe aimed at the myriad of coaching, game planning, and play calling miscues?  Too misplaced.

• A scathing editorial on Sport Illustrated's ill-timed cover?  Too desperate.

• A thoughtful thesis on how tough the BigXII is and how hard it is to beat everyone in the most difficult league, top to bottom, in the nation?  Too ... boring.

The only acceptable way to process this is actually far more simple:

If in August you were presented with a scenario in which KSU would have an 11-1 regular season, a BigXII Championship, a BCS game, have a player in the Heisman race, and be in the hunt for the national title, you would of shed a single tear and said, "Our prayers have been answered. 1000 times over yes ... I couldn't possibly ask for more."

Well, God listened and blessed us with an opportunity for that very scenario. So let's suck it up and move on. There are no other options.

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We are still on track for the greatest season in KSU history.

A BigXII conference title still awaits. A "controversy free" BCS game against Oregon is still out there (a nod to 2003, thank you very much).  A BCS bowl game win would still be the first one in school history.  And believe it or not, we are not mathematically out of the race for the national title as we are currently ranked #6 in the BCS. (I know, this is the Koolaid talking and I've made it a little stronger than usual today.)

USC could technically beat Notre Dame, although not likely with Barkley out.  Alabama and Georgia play each other, Florida still has to play #10 Florida State, and Oregon must still play Oregon State, and possibly UCLA in the title game -- all putting KSU back in the discussion.

Blair Kerkoff agrees.

As the disappointment clears, what should emerge is a Big 12 championship theme. As crazy as Saturday was with the Wildcats and Oregon, the top BCS teams, defeated, no possibility should be discounted. Remember 2007, when LSU fell to seventh in the BCS standings in the regular-season finale and played in the championship game?

Head into Thanksgiving knowing all will be right again with the KSU nation after we beat Texas on Senior Night in Manhattan in two weeks. This game, and all that it still stands for, will be a huge victory, cementing the Cats first conference title in almost 10 years and a spot for us in the BCS.

Safe travels to everyone this week.

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And a bit of sad news to report. 

We decided over the weekend we are going to have to put down our family cat, Whiskers, tomorrow before heading back to Salina for Thanksgiving. The little stray tabby kitten that adopted Rachel and I eight years ago has steadily gotten more and more sick over the past 6 months and can no longer walk without laboring and has had trouble eating. 

She has been with us through the birth of all of our three children and they are all three equally upset.  There will be a lot of tears.  She is known throughout the entire neighborhood and has spent time going in and out of people's homes we don't even know.  She has friends in every corner of the the block.

So, the clock really is striking for our family as her little life comes to an end.  

Rest assured, though, she will have a special place in K-State Heaven.

Whiskers ECAW
 (Every Cat A Wildman)

Putting An End To The Curse

For those of you worried about the SI Jinx, put your fears to rest.

This is Collin Klein we are talking about here.  He feels no pain. He knows no fear.  He has no weakness.  

This is a machine of iron will, unfailing determination, and an unstoppable desire to be the best.  This is a man who is 20-3 in 23 career starts, with his only losses coming to the #11, #3, and #7 ranked teams in the nation ... last year.  This is a QB who hasn't let an ounce of distraction seep into his life in leading his team to the #1 ranking in the country.

There isn't a thing the media cam write, opposing fans can say, K-State can promote (or not promote), or anyone else can do, to break the incredible focus, dim the laser-like poise, or slow the ever-evolving machine that is #Optimus Klein and the 2012 Autocats.

There is no curse.

Just as there is no spoon.

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Have always loved this image and article.

So the last time KSU made real headlines in the national title scene was 1998. Tim Layden wrote a very impressive article that caught the nation's attention and was adored by K-State fans world-wide.

HE'S HOME now. 

The suit jacket is laid neatly across the cooking island in the kitchen of his house in an upscale development three minutes from the stadium. In six hours he will be back in the office, chasing perfection again. 

Snyder is at the top of his profession and in the race for a national title. Yet, like any perfectionist, he despises finite goaIs. "If we're fortunate enough to win a national championship, I don't believe it would be a culminating experience," he says. "There's no finality in any of this for me, other than death." 

Is he happy? "I'm not unhappy," he says.

Was this written last week, or 14 years ago?

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GameDayR put out this little gem regarding K-State's perfect season.

We have all heard what Colin Klein has done this year, but the real reason Kansas State has reached the ten-win mark without a loss may just be an extremely underrated defense. 

The Wildcats’ defense ranks 14th in the nation in points per game, allowing opposing offenses just 17.7 points. This is even more incredible when you realize the conference that they play in. The Big 12 is chock-full of high-powered offenses, as seven of the nations twenty highest scoring teams reside in the conference. Oklahoma has scored 39.8 points per game, but managed only 19 at home against the Wildcats. West Virginia averages 40 points per game, but managed only 14 in a blowout loss at home to Kansas State.

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Baylor is completely overmatched.

Reflecting back on the season, there is no team KSU has been more dominant statistically over than Baylor.  If you're worried in ANY way about this game this week, don't be.  The Cats will steamroll them.  They would steamroll them just running the Wildcat with Sams and Pease and controlling the clock.  

Look at their rushing defense as an example. Second to last in the league.  They are 2nd to last, or LAST, in 8 statistical categories.  Amazing.  Add in the fact Waco is just about the least intimidating place to play in the conference and KState should be able to get another workmanlike win on the road this week without having to run much outside of our standard offense.  If the Cats don't win by 17+ I will be shocked.  This is not a team that belongs on the same field as the Cats, and like we did against TCU, if limit our own TO's and create a few with our ever-improving secondary, this one should be over by half.

This is a defense that gave up 24, 23, and 42 to SMU, Sam Houston State, and LA-Monroe.  K-State should be able to post at least 45.  And they've also won just one BigXII game ... Kansas.

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Sorry this is short tonight, but I am leaving for China in less than 24 hours.

A quick stop in Seattle, then it's off to Seoul before landing in Hong Kong at 11:00 PM Thursday night. Then, it's back on Sunday for Thanksgiving and driving back to Kansas on Tuesday.

I will be missing the Baylor game (practice), all the hype around the SI cover (will be framing that at some point), and will not be blogging again until next week (China government doesn't like that sort of thing). So you all will have to find a way to survive this week without PK knowing I'm here in spirit (adorned with purple and white.)

So the next time you see the Koolaid might be on November 26th. And that folks, is the biggest week in K-State football history.

And we will certainly have a lot to discuss in preparation for: the biggest game in K-State history.

Best of luck to all of you going to Baylor, and if I don't get another post out in time, have a great Thanksgiving.

Go Cats!

Armageddon Is Upon Us

I probably should have had something written and ready to go for a day like today. 

A prayerfully considered piece dedicated to and soley reserved for the day when KSU finally crosses over into this mystical, ethereal plane of reality ... an alternate dimension of time and space.  A world where the laws of college football don't apply.  Where the unthinkable is actually possible.  Where an undefeated Notre Dame and half of the SEC watch helplessly as the school with a small athletic budget, a small fan following, an old coach, and lowly recruiting rankings, have ascended to total and absolute power. 

This is what we've been looking for, and now found again, for nearly half a generation.  This is a world that defies conventional rules, conventional styles, and conventional thinking.  A blessedly purple soaked utopia that will undoubtedly be the greatest season in Kansas State history.  

This is a world in which Kansas State is now ranked #1.  

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Snyder: I imagine that right now, you're feeling a bit like Alice. Hmm? Tumbling down the rabbit hole? 

K-State Fan: You could say that. 

Snyder: I see it in your eyes. You have the look of a man who accepts what he sees because he is expecting to wake up. Ironically, that's not far from the truth. Do you believe in fate, K-State Fan? 

K-State Fan: No. 

Snyder: Why not? 

K-State Fan: Because I don't like the idea that I'm not in control of my life. 

Snyder: I know *exactly* what you mean. Let me tell you why you're here. You're here because you know something. What you know you can't explain, but you feel it. You've felt it your entire life, that there's something wrong with the college football world. You don't know what it is, but it's there, like a splinter in your mind, driving you mad. It is this feeling that has brought you to me. Do you know what I'm talking about? 

K-State Fan: The BCS. 

Snyder: Do you want to know what it is? 

K-State Fan: Yes. 

Snyder: The BCS is everywhere. It is all around us. Even now, in this very room. You can see it when you look out your window or when you turn on your television. You can feel it when you go to work... when you go to church... when you pay your taxes. It is the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth. 

K-Stat Fan: What truth?

Snyder: That you are a slave, K-State Fan. Your football team was born into bondage. Into a prison that you cannot taste or see or touch. A prison for your mind. You have to let it all go. Fear, doubt, and disbelief. Free your mind.  

But I can only show you the door. You're the one that has to walk through it.

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If I'm going to be attending TCU games just a mere 45 minutes from my house in the near future, we need to make a few modifications:

• TCU doesn't have their tailgating system down yet.  

And as the newest member of the Big 12, I am begging them to get it together.  Allow fans to tailgate on campus.  The stadium is right there in the middle of the University.  Can we open up the campus to everyone and let's avoid the huge parking lots left unattended 50 yards from the stadium? This would prevent fans from having to walk 1.8 miles to the game or take a shuttle (which was so overloaded with K-State fans both before and after there was a 30 minute wait.)

It's true if you think about it.  You really CAN do anything on 2nd and Short.  

• Change your school colors.  

Purple and white everywhere makes it difficult to make out KSU fans from TCU fans (except when they are wearing BLACK for their silly blackout only the students participated in).  Except after the game when KSU fans were smiling and TCU fans were glaring.

But seriously, it's not as fun when you're in purple too and  let's be honest, we had it first. Maybe add some red accents or something like your football team does sometimes?

I saw this on the way into the game.  I'm still trying to get my mind around it.

• Improve your half-time show.

'Trek vs. Wars' was a bad idea to begin with. Having half the band set up as the "Death Star" and shoot "lasers" of silk flags at the other half in the shape of the "Enterprise"?  Fail.  On about 100 levels.  The breast cancer awareness song and video was very well done.  Loud, and repetitive, but well done and I am now more aware of breast cancer than ever.

Having the same guy in the video, with the same people dressed in pink in the video, sing a live version on the field literally seconds after the the music video was over?  Umm, no.

Another photon blast might of been more entertaining.

This view from the top was very very sweet.  

I didn't take this and I didn't high five the players.  I was in section 845 at the top so I could only watch. 

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Snyder: This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. 

You take the blue pill - the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. 

You take the purple pill - you stay in Wonderland ... and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes.

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Alabama lost and since it's frozen over, hell can't quite break loose. It's BCS Armageddon everyone!

Fans are now complaining a 1-loss SEC team will be left out.  Fans are now complaining an undefeated ND will be left out.  Fans are now complaining, and I wish I was making this up, there is media-bias TOWARDS Kansas State. #shotsofpurplekoolaid for the idiots in the corner, please.

But, ultimately, none of it matters and thankfully the voters and computers aren't buying any of it. As expected, nearly everyone voting just bumped all three teams: OR, KSU, and ND ... up a  spot.  There was really no other movement to speak of. There are 115 voters in the Harris, KSU moved up 110 votes.  There are 60 votes in the Coaches, KSU moved up 57 spots.  

In the computers, KSU moved up in the every computer except two.  Oregon moved up one in every poll except one, and moved up two spots in two of them.  ND moved up in all except two, staying the same in one, and actually dropping in another (ha.).

Rece wants to make sure you didn't miss this.

KSU now sits at #1 with a score of .9674, a .0177 lead over OR, and .0278 over ND, a number not likely to change since ND is ahead of us in every computer poll but two.  ND cannot get in unless they have a monumental win to change voters minds ... and a win over a down-trodden BCS #18 USC team isn't likely to be enough ... not with BCS #15 Texas still on K-State's schedule.

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So that means friends:  win out, and we are in the National Title against Oregon.  It's not too early to start making plans ... I need 10 tickets under $500 please.  The cheapest you can find at TicketMaster are over $700 and likely only going higher.

Maybe if I rent an official PK bus and a hotel floor we can save some money.  Who's in?

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Sam Mellinger has written some great articles this year for the Cats.  This one is no different as he explains that Kansas State is in control of it's own destiny:

Fourteen years ago, Texas A&M deleted K-State from the national title picture with a heart-wrenching overtime win in the Big 12 championship. This weekend, A&M paid it back by winning in Tuscaloosa — and how about the irony of the Aggies promptly ending their new league’s six-year streak of national titles and giving their old league a chance?

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/2012/11/10/3911269/mellinger-wildcats-control-destiny.html#storylink=cp

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If you missed Eric Stonestreet and Ty Burrell on College Gameday, you missed a good one.  Pretty much nails ESPN to the wall regarding them constantly putting us on #upsetalert.

There's a pretty good chance Mark May will be all over it next weekend when we play Baylor.  Because they have an "offense that can score points that will give KSU fits."

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I know you're out there. I can feel you now. I know that you're afraid... you're afraid of us. You're afraid of change. I don't know the future. I didn't come here to tell you how this is going to end. I came here to tell you how it's going to begin. 

I'm going to hang up this phone, and then I'm going to show these people what you don't want them to see. I'm going to show them a world without you. A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries. A world where anything is possible. Where we go from there is a choice I leave to our football team. 

-- Collin Klein, speaking to members of the media via tele-conference (summer 2012) 

10 Wins: Coming To A Theater Near You

Ok, we're kicking off tonight with this.

Check out this video shot at the OSU game from RockHouse Motion. This year has seen an absolute explosion in impressive video/audio productions from various sources, so I guess being #2 in the country will have that affect.

This one, however, is as good as they get.  When they make the movie someday about Kansas State's 2012 Championship season, this is what the trailer should look and feel like.

And if you're interested, check out this promotional video they also did for KSU Aviation.  

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"The Sky's The Limit" is Joe Posnanski's KSU article from four local sports writers at Sports on Earth regarding all four remaining undefeated teams; Oregon, Bama, and Notre Dame are also highlighted.  A great series -- I'm obviously partial to how well Posnanski did for KSU. 

That Alabama team is extraordinary, and that Oregon team is electrifying and that Notre Dame team has leprechauns protecting it at every turn. 

But Kansas State is what this thing is all about. I know college football has become about imaginary games being played between these undefeated teams and how experts or computer programs or coaches believe they would turn out. That’s a shame, though. Kansas State is not flashy enough, glitzy enough, celebrated enough or historic enough to win those imaginary games.

But they aren’t really much interested in imaginary games in the middle of Kansas anyway. Kansas State football isn’t about imagination. Kansas State football is all about reality ... and bending it.

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Love everything about this FAMILY tradition.  #godspeed to #50 right now.

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Here's a great article on Arthur Brown from the Kansas City Star on his journey to KSU.

From the start, Cosh realized Brown had leadership qualities. Only problem was, no one had ever asked him to lead. 

“At Miami as well as in high school, it was always just go play,” Butler said. “That’s all coaches asked him to do. Arthur is a person who follows directions. So when he was given the direction to become more of a vocal leader, he took that responsibility and did it.”Challenge accepted. The year before he took the field, the Wildcats couldn’t stop a straightforward run. 

Now they have the 36th-ranked defense in the nation.

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Moonlight Requisition (OSU highlight video).

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Just love these images in the KSU emails.

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The Bleacher Report loves Kansas State.  

So much so, they are beginning to lobby for the Cats to be ranked #1. And 89% of the fans agree in their Fan Poll. They have all kinds of other KSU articles as well. None of them highly researched, but all of them full of purple soaked goodness.

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Ivan Maisel kicks off the College Football podcast with David Ubben and they discuss Klein's status for Saturday. ESPN is fueling the internet rumors it's a wrist injury for Klein, but most around Manhattan agree it isn't.

It's pretty clear it was a head injury ... but not a serious one.  I would very surprised if he didn't play on Saturday. I think it's pretty clear ... you don't take a guys helmet away with a wrist injury.   

KSU has a better chance to stay ahead to in the BCS if Notre Dame and Oregon State continue to win.  If ND loses, that's a ton of points Oregon will gain, probably enough to pass K-State.   

It's going to be close, there's no doubt about that. I mentioned this last week, but voters place so much weight on these last 3 or 4 games, and it's very important for K-State to win, and win convincingly.  

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GoEMAW and ksu_FAN are at it again, breaking down the Kansas State offense.

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So, we'll be heading to game this weekend, tailgating live from Amon Carter stadium in sunny Fort-Worth.  We'll be bringing authentic Tex-Mex (Petra) from McKinney all the way west and are looking for a great place to tailgate 5 hours before kickoff.  If you know of any great places (TCU fans -- I'm looking at you), please let me know via email:  pdfreeland@gmail.com.

Should be a great day for college football, and an even better day for the Cats. TCU is a talented, well-coached team that is used to beating quality teams.  They are playing at home, blacking out the stadium, and playing with a bit of chip on their shoulder after knocking of West Virginia on the road last week.  KSU may be of their game a bit to start with Klein's injury being the major theme everyone will be looking out for.  

But, this is just another business trip for the Cats.  Like OSU last week and Tech before that, TCU has players at the skill positions, and has shown the ability to stop the run (BigXII leader in Run Defense), so expect the Cats to throw quite a bit in this game to try and open up the running game early on.

If KSU can avoid an early INT by BigXII leader Jason Verrett and establish the line of scrimmage and time of possession, I like K-State's chances to mercilessly take the lead early and never look back.  This should be a convincing Cat win, 42-24.

BTW, my friend did inform me that the "... OSU game was technically a 50-20 win because if Klein had not been hurt we would of scored another TD (true) and that a more effective offense would of prevented the OSU offense from scoring again (maybe), so 44-30 really should of been more like 51-23.  And I can't be held accountable for injuries in the 50-20 predicition."

So his future blog post is still in play.  At least until Saturday.

TCU: Two Years Ago We'd Be Worried

TCU school colors are gray, purple, white, pixelated silver, gunmetal, black, and ... red.

Some TCU quick hits:  LT graduated from there, as well as Andy Dalton (Cincy QB who is currently sitting on my fantasy team bench for being just good enough to not start.)  Their 2012 starting QB Casay Pachall was punted from the team to seek rehab. They have been ranked in the Top 10 for the last four years.  They won the Rose Bowl in 2010 and finished 13-0.  Did I miss anything?

As you all know, head coach Gary Patterson was born in Larned, KS, and played safety and linebacker for the Cats in 1980-1981.

Patterson began his coaching career in 1982 at Kansas State University as an assistant to head coach Jim Dickey. After subsequently serving a number of years as an assistant coach at a number of different schools, Patterson was hired as defensive coordinator at the University of New Mexico in 1996. He served in that job for two years before leaving to take the same position at Texas Christian University (TCU) in 1998. He was named head coach at TCU prior to the Mobile Alabama Bowl in December 2000, replacing Dennis Franchione who left to become the head coach at the University of Alabama.

We all remember where we were the moment news spread Gary Patterson was taking over for Bill Snyder in 2009. I was having dinner with my father-in-law when word started spreading that GoPowercat.com had confirmed the TCU head coach had accepted the head coaching position and was headed to Manhattan in the wake of the Ron Prince Experiment.

Like everyone else, I began calling, texting, and emailing pretty much my entire Blackberry contact list proclaiming the good news that the one guy we all wanted had sealed the deal with then athletic director Tim Weiser.  As I was patting myself on the back for job well done and beaming with excitement, I turned on 1310 AM "The Ticket", excited to find out what the local sports radio had to say about the big news from Fort Worth. What I got was a frantic interview with Mr. Patterson, who was vehemently denying any connection to KSU or an offer, and that he would be coaching at TCU for a long, long time. "I'm not going anywhere."

Looking at where we sit right now ... on behalf of the K-State Nation, I want to personally thank Mr. Patterson for staying loyal to his beloved Horn Frogs.

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See? I didn't photoshop the red in. It's seriously an accent color.
Red.  With purple.

  If Super Frog (not making that up) and Willie get in a fight Saturday,
I think SF will win because of his 6-year old Halloween costume like muscles
and vicious forearm spikes.
#wildcatseatfrogs

What Willie would look like with mutated DNA.

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"Hey, what gives?  I just started following this blog and I thought you broke down other teams and stuff?"  

Well, this blog is about entertaining the masses, too, and if that means making fun of the other teams uniforms, mascot, and hand signs, then yes, to keep the doors open, we'll do that. #premiumcontent costs money and resources and sometimes you've got to just pay the bills.  

With that said, let's dive into the matchup.

As you can see, KSU has moved up to #1 in the BigXII in Scoring Offense, Pass Efficiency, Rushing Offense, Kick Off Returns, Punt Returns and Turnover Margin.  They are 2nd in Sacks Allowed.  The Cats hold distinct statistical advantages (at least four conference spots) over TCU in those six categories.

TCU has a slight advantage in Passing Offense and Passing Defense.  All other categories are statistically even (within two conference ranks). We currently rank on average of 3.35 across all 17, TCU comes in right in the middle, at 5.

With OOC games against Grambling State, Virginia, and SMU, the Horned Frogs were challenged only by a fairly weak SMU squad, winning 24-16.  In conference, their schedule has been up and down.  Their wins include Kansas in Lawrence 20-6 in the 2nd game of the season, Baylor in Waco, and of course, winning on a 2OT 2-point conversion last weekend in Morgantown, clearly their biggest win of the season.  Their losses came in Fort Worth to Iowa State and Texas Tech, and to OSU in Stillwater.  KSU, OU, and UT still remain.

It's tough to know what to expect from TCU this week against Kansas State.  I think the only real conclusion one can make is: they are just an average BigXII team.  And that's not really meant as a insult, because honestly the BigXII is basically Kansas State and OU at the top, Kansas at the bottom, and a bunch of other teams all jumbled up in the middle from 3-9. 

As a team they don't do anything particularly great (except Rushing Defense), however they do sport the BigXII Sack Leader (Devonte Fields), #1 Punter (Ethan Perry), and Interception Leader (Jason Verrett). 

So, one advantage to TCU in the conference ... our cheerleaders and theirs are interchangeable.

They have speed at the skill positions and have one of the league's most impressive wide-outs in Josh Boyce (50 catches, 7 TD's this season), as well as Trevone Boykin, who has excelled at QB (even though he's put up 7 INT's on the year to only 13 TD's, completing 58% of his passes). They have been historically stout on defense, and Patterson will have them and their "blacked out" fans worked into a frenzy for the televised FOX broadcast.

But this is just another business trip for the Cats, who've already been in this environment three other times this season alone. I would expect KSU's ball hawking defense to come up with at least one INT, and even though the Cats are going up against the league's #1 Rushing Defense, no defense has proven it can stop a healthy Klein, Hubert, and a steadily improving offensive line.  

Snyder has all but confirmed Klein will play, and internet rumors are swirling Snyder pulled Klein due to dirty play from the OSU defense.  No one could get any official clarity from Snyder at today's press conference, but my best friend's sister's boyfriend's brother's girlfriend heard from this guy who knows this kid who's going with a girl who saw Klein pass out at 31 Flavors last night.

I guess it's pretty serious.

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Speaking of your current Heisman leader, let's compare some stats from last year up to this point to 2012 (after nine games):

By this time last year, Klein had 906 yards rushing, 19 TD's on the ground, 4 INT's, 1223 yards passing, and 9 TD's through the air.

Nine games in this year? 698 yards rushing, 17 TD's on the ground, 2 INT's, 1875 yards passing, and 12 TD's through the air.  He's increased his yards passing per game by 72 on 21 fewer attempts , and his total offense is up from 2129 yards to 2573 through last weekend, a 444 increase.

So, not dramatically different, but he's more efficient, undefeated, and playing with a defense that has proven they can stop the BigxII's best offenses when they have to. All of that, combined with the incredible rushing TD totals, make Klein an almost certain lock for the Heisman in 2012 (even though he lost a little ground this week to Barner and McCarron.)

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This site covers a lot of the news and notes for the upcoming game from SB Nation. They also posted some thoughts in their "A Closer Look: #2 Kansas State" post.

"Pray for us."

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I found a fantastic new website as well -- College Football By The Numbers.  His article on the Wildcat offense is especially good.  Scott writes the kind of blog we can all hope to have someday:

Unless you're willing to take a crowbar to his knees, it's about time people recognized that you can't just take Collin Klein out of the offense, and with Klein, Kansas State has the best offense in the country. And it's not that close. 

That's a bold claim, especially when Kansas State is only 5th nationally in points per game (ahead of Baylor, Oklahoma State and West Virginia, all teams that are/were supposed to give Kansas State trouble because they could outscore the Wildcats. Absurd). 

For the sake of simplicity, I'm going to assume that most would argue Oregon has the nation's best offense, and I will focus the analysis on comparing Kansas State to Oregon. (Spoiler: Kansas State wins!)

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If you haven't already taken this blind statistical poll of the top 5 teams in the country, check it out and see how you do.  Once you've selected a match-up, wait several seconds for the percentage results to come up.  Then, click the link at the bottom to uncover the key as to which team are which.  

At the time of this post, 61% of the country are geniuses.  Maybe if the Coaches and Harris Poll media members took time out of their schedule to take the quiz, they might realize Oregon may not be such a clear #2 after all.