The Sunflower Showdown is always a big game, but today’s battle between Kansas and Kansas State goes way beyond bragging rights.
If the Wildcats win they will further increase their lead atop the Big 12 North standings and be in terrific shape to go on and win the division.
If the Jayhawks win they will become bowl eligible and get back into the conversation for a North title.
Both teams have only a few games remaining, and anything is possible. But it will be awfully hard for either of these squads to get to where they want to be without first picking up a win in Manhattan.
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By Kellis Robinett
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Tags: Bill Snyder, Dezmon Briscoe, Football, Grant Gregory, K-State, Kansas, Kerry Meier, KU, Mark Mangino, Sunflower Showdown, Todd Reesing
Filed under GAMEDAY
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Ever since Jeffrey Fitzgerald accepted coach Bill Snyder’s mid-season challenge and became one of Kansas State’s vocal leaders, the Wildcats have looked completely different on the defensive line.
Up front, K-State is now able to rush the quarterback and force turnovers on a consistent basis. In its last two home games, K-State recorded 10 sacks and forced 10 turnovers.
Fitzgerald alone has five sacks against conference opponents this season and one interception return for a touchdown. Continuing that type of play will be key against Kansas.
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Oklahoma is ranked and Kansas State is not. Oklahoma is a 28-point favorite and Kansas State is not. Oklahoma is playing at home, where it has won a nation’s best 27-straight games, and Kansas State is not.
On the surface, this game is a mismatch.
But, at 5-3, the Wildcats do own a better record than the Sooners. Having won their last two games, they are also riding a longer winning streak than Oklahoma.
They are little things that won’t mean much once the game starts, but they have given K-State a jolt of confidence.
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Grant Gregory took Kansas State’s offense to another level earlier this season when he got his first collegiate start against Iowa State.
All of a sudden, the Wildcats had a quarterback with fast feet, a quick release and the passion of a player who only had a few games left in his college career.
Gregory, a senior transfer from South Florida, has even fewer games remaining now, and if K-State is to make a run at beating Oklahoma tomorrow he will need to once again raise the overall level of K-State’s play on offense.
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