Tuesday, November 13, 2012

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!