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.

About Kansas
The Jayhawks come into this game looking nothing like the team many picked to go to a big-time bowl game before the season started.

Kansas has lost three straight games after a 5-0 start and is no longer ranked.

Its quarterback, senior record-breaker Todd Reesing, was benched for performance/health/confidence reasons (the reports on the reason are mixed) at the end of its most recent loss at Texas Tech and top wide receiver Dezmon Briscoe is suddenly dropping routine passes.

Still, K-State coach Bill Snyder respects Kansas like it is 8-0.

His thoughts on Reesing: “Todd is probably the most intelligent quarterback in the game today. He has a 4.0 GPA, he makes good decisions and he always seems to know where to go with the football. He stands in and finds the throwing lanes that they create for him.

“He has the ability to get outside of the pocket and can run the ball pretty well. He is also a tough young guy. He throws the ball very well and he can put the ball just about wherever he wants. He has got some excellent receivers to throw to.”

On KU wide receivers Dezmon Briscoe and Kerry Meier: “They both have very good size. They have the ability to lay out for the ball; they can catch just about anything that is thrown their way. Kerry has as good of hands as you can find in college football.

“He has a knack to get himself into open spaces. It’s hard to defend those guys. Their numbers that they are putting up this year are a testament to that.”

There is always the chance KU could fix all its problems this week, but based on the Jayhawks’ string of recent turnovers and inability to stop the opposition from scoring touchdowns after those turnovers (their last nine turnovers have led to eight touchdowns) those are a lot of problems to fix over night.

I’m not sure the Vegas odds makers got it right when they labeled KU as a 2.5-point favorite in this one.

About Kansas State
K-State is playing its best football of the year right now.

Sure, it lost at Oklahoma last week 42-30, but c’mon. After falling behind by 21 points in that game, the Wildcats outplayed the ranked and respected Sooners and just about pulled an amazing upset.

The games before that, K-State won rather convincingly. In short, its season has progressed as much as Kansas’ has regressed.

“Kansas State is a team that has shown a lot of improvement since last season,” KU coach Mark Mangino said. “They are improving in every area of their game. They are certainly a much more sound, fundamental football team. They play good fundamentals, just like you would like to have your team play all the time.

“What we preach here is the same thing they preach. They are aggressive on defense and they have enough playmakers on offense to hurt you. They have one of the best, if not the best, return man in the country in Brandon Banks, who can really change the momentum of a game.”

If Banks returns a kickoff for a touchdown against KU, he will tie the NCAA single-season and career record. He has four so far this season.

His ability to set K-State’s offense up with good field position will be key. So will the Wildcats’ ability to force turnovers, pressure Reesing and effectively throw the ball as well as run it.

If the Wildcats force turnovers and record sacks, they will win. If Grant Gregory throws for close to 200 yards and Daniel Thomas continues to do his thing, they will win.

Having lost three in a row to KU, that would mean a lot to the veterans on K-State’s roster.

“I’m quite certain that the vast majority of our players would like to bring the Governor’s Cup back to Manhattan,” Snyder said. “This game is very important to all of our team, especially our players from Kansas. I think that this is a very significant game for every one involved on both sides.”

Advantages:

When KU runs the ball: K-State

When K-State runs the ball: K-State

When KU throws the ball: KU

When K-State throws the ball: KU

Special Teams: K-State

Coaching: K-State

Prediction: K-State 27, KU 23

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.

And with a Big 12 North title as their goal, the Wildcats are going to be ready to compete in Norman today.

So even though the Sooners appear to be holding all the cards in this matchup, K-State is capable of making this game more interesting than the experts predict.

About Oklahoma
Oklahoma haters have labeled the Sooners as the worst ranked team in the country.

As the only team in either poll to enter the week with three losses (No. 14 Virginia Tech is also now 5-3 after losing to North Carolina on Thursday) there probably is something to that claim.

But take a look at the flip side of that argument: If not for Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Sam Bradford going down against BYU and Texas, Oklahoma could have easily turned two close losses into wins.

Had Bradford been available at Miami (OU’s other loss) the Sooners could have won that game too.

Instead, Oklahoma lost three games to three ranked teams by a combined five points.

If you look at it that way, the Sooners are five points away from being in the national championship conversation.

That’s the way most K-State players are looking at Oklahoma right now. They respect the Sooners very much, and think highly of the way they have bounced back without Bradford.

Now that freshman quarterback Landry Jones has taken over the job for good, he is loosening up and so are his coaches. He looked better than he had all season last week, throwing for 252 yards and two touchdowns during a rout of Kansas, and is feeling good heading back to his home turf.

Oklahoma’s defense is extremely strong, too, and has allowed seven points at home all year. The Sooners first two home games were shutouts. Baylor finally scored a touchdown against them on Oct. 10.

About Kansas State
K-State coach Bill Snyder doesn’t think his team matches up well against Oklahoma.

He believes the Wildcats will face their toughest opponent of the season today, and he very well could be right.

K-State will need to play one of its best games on offense, defense and special teams to have a chance.

Players say they are up for the challenge, though. Grant Gregory wants to face a tough secondary, Jeffrey Fitzgerald wants to line up against a talented defensive front and Tysyn Hartman wants the chance to earn respect.

The margin for error will be small, but K-State can succeed against Oklahoma.

If Brandon Banks can get things going with a few solid returns and K-State’s defense can put its offense in good positions (as it has done time and time again the past two weeks) the Wildcats will be in business.

If not, it could be a long night.

Advantages:

When Oklahoma runs the ball: Oklahoma

When Oklahoma throws the ball: Oklahoma

When K-State runs the ball: K-State

When K-State throws the ball: Oklahoma

Special Teams: K-State

Coaching: Oklahoma

Prediction: Oklahoma 35-7

Whatever people call it, it is an important game for both sides. Kansas State is looking to go back above .500 and take a run at a 3-1 conference start. Texas A&M is seeking its first Big 12 win and trying to inch closer to bowl eligibility.

The Vegas oddsmakers have the Aggies as a five-point favorite, and the game should be a close one.

About Texas A&M
After last week’s performance at Texas Tech, Kansas State’s defense would seem to be getting a break against Texas A&M tomorrow.

After all, no one in the country is as well known for lighting up the scoreboards as Texas Tech is.

So in that respect, the Wildcats will have an easier time handling the Aggies at Snyder Family Stadium. But K-State’s defense will still have its hands full.

Against New Mexico, they scored 41 points. Against Utah State, they scored 38. They dropped 56 on UAB and last week put up 31 in a home loss to Oklahoma State.

Aside from a 19-point outing against Arkansas, the Aggies have been scoring at will this season.

That offense starts with quarterback Jerrod Johnson, who leads the Big 12 in total offense. He is averaging 356 yards per game. Texas A&M’s running backs are also combining to pile up 190 yards per game.

For that reason, K-State defenders respect Texas A&M just as much as Texas Tech. Unlike the Red Raiders, the Aggies are capable of throwing and running the ball.

On defense, the Aggies allow nearly 30 points per game and have given up 47 and 36 in their past two games. Von Miller leads the nation in sacks with nine.

About Kansas State
Once again, the starting quarterback situation is up in the air. Who will it be, Grant Gregory or Carson Coffman? Whoever it is, he will need to play well early against Texas A&M.

What hurt the Wildcats as much as anything against Texas Tech was scoring no points in the first half. They couldn’t beat Louisiana-Lafayette doing that, either. Today, K-State will need to move the ball throughout the game and score at least three touchdowns.

That is K-State’s magic number. Undefeated when scoring at least 21 points. Winless when scoring fewer.

Maybe the Wildcats will lean more on Daniel Thomas to reach that goal. Maybe they’ll even use both Thomas and Keithen Valentine (the Big 12’s leader in rushing average) to establish a running game.

Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman said that is what he is most worried about.

“I remember watching Coach Snyder’s teams when I was in Green Bay. When we would go through draft meetings and what not, and throw his teams on, you’d see hard-nosed, tough players. The same is true right now. They run the ball about as effectively as you can. They have a big back and offensive line. They’re a power running team.”

Advantages:

When Texas A&M runs the ball: Texas A&M

When Texas A&M throws the ball: Texas A&M

When K-State runs the ball: K-State

When K-State throws the ball: Texas A&M

Special Teams: K-State

Coaching: Push

Prediction: Texas A&M 24, K-State 20

One, Texas Tech, is loaded on offense and tries to score on drives that last less than a minute. The other, Kansas State, is limited in its big play capabilities and tries to score with long, sustained drives.

For that reason, time of possession will be important in today’s 6 p.m. game. Kansas State is hoping to keep its defense off the field as long as possible so it’s rested and ready when Texas Tech starts throwing.

The Wildcats will need every advantage they can get. Texas Tech has a strong offensive line, speedy receivers and backup quarterback Steven Sheffield, who will start his first game today in place of the injured Taylor Potts, has proven capable as well.

The Red Raiders are going to score some points against K-State, that much is a given.

Keeping up with Tech’s offense, which averages nearly 40 points a game, is tough. But if the Wildcats’ defense can end a few of their drives with interceptions K-State will be in business. A score on special teams or defense may help, too.

Texas Tech is tough at home, and is going for a 12th straight home win, which would tie a program record.

About Texas Tech

The Red Raiders have faced a decent amount of drama lately. Following two tough losses to Texas and Houston, players began criticizing coaches privately and publicly on twitter, coaches then banned their players from using twitter and a team captain (Brandon Carter) was briefly kicked off the team.

He’s back now, but starting quarterback Taylor Potts is out with an injury. Sheffield will take his place, and though the Red Raiders are sporting two early losses they are still one of the Big 12’s better teams.

Mike Leach’s system seems to work every year no matter the personnel.

Over the years, here is a list of Texas Tech’s most explosive games in terms of total offensive yard:

1. vs. Iowa State (2003) 775
2. vs. Sam Houston State (2005) 770
3. at Oklahoma State (2007) 718
4. at Baylor (2003) 716
5. at Mississippi (2003) 713
6. vs. TCU (1985) 699
7. vs. Kansas State (2005) 684
8. vs. Baylor (2006) 682
9. at N.C. State (2003) 681
10. vs. Texas A&M (2003) 669

Notice nine of those outbursts came recently under Leach.

And for fun, here is a top 10 list of Texas Tech’s highest single-game point totals:

1. vs. Wayland (1925) 120
2. vs. Sam Houston State (2005) 80
3. vs. Trinity (1932) 79
4. vs. Northwestern State (2007) 75
5. vs. New Mexico A&M (1953) 71
6. vs. TCU (2004) 70
vs. Nebraska (2004) 70
8. vs. Austin College (1932) 64
9. vs. UC-Santa Barbara (1970) 63
vs. TCU (1985) 63
vs. Arkansas State (1995) 63
at Baylor (2001) 63
vs. Indiana State (2005) 63
at Kansas (2008) 63

About Kansas State

Coach Bill Snyder hasn’t said publicly who his starting quarterback will be for this game, but after the way senior transfer Grant Gregory looked against Iowa State last week it’s hard to imagine him not taking the snaps today.

Gregory, with his quick feet, can scramble outside of the pocket and keep plays alive when other quarterbacks would get sacked. That’s big right now for Kansas State.

It takes a lot of pressure off of Daniel Thomas and gives his receivers time to find open space. If Gregory plays well for a second straight week against Texas Tech, K-State should have a chance.

But the Wildcats will need a strong effort from their secondary as well. K-State’s pass rush has been non-existent against FBS foes this season and it will be tough to pick up sacks against Texas Tech’s strong offensive line.

Snyder jokingly suggested that rushing one and dropping 10 into coverage would be a possibility against the Red Raiders. I doubt he goes that far, but K-State’s secondary will need all the help it can get.

Tysyn Hartman and company have played very well this season, but this will be their toughest test.

PASADENA, Calif. — For the first time this season, the Kansas State Wildcats are underdogs.

Going up against UCLA (a 2-0 team that just won at Tennessee) in the Rose Bowl (one of the most picturesque and famous stadiums in America) the Vegas odds makers are predicting K-State to lose by about two touchdowns.

I doubt that matters to anyone on the Wildcats’ roster. They were favorites last week at Louisiana-Lafayette and that didn’t work out so well for them. Their goal this week is to simply put that out of their minds, ignore a large baby-blue clad crowd and try to stay focused all the way through the game, which doesn’t start until 9:15 tonight.

That means they will likely be taking snaps after midnight, and that will be a new experience.

K-State coach Bill Snyder didn’t hide his feelings when asked if he thought that would be tough for the Wildcats to handle.

On a difficulty scale of 1-10 he said, “It’s probably about a 44.”

That’s pretty difficult.

About UCLA

Much like Kansas State, the Bruins are not an offensive powerhouse.

Through two games, they are only averaging 26 points and 272.5 yards per night.

Making things even more difficult on the Bruins’ offense tonight is the fact that starting quarterback Kevin Prince will be out with a broken jaw. Either Richard Brehaut or Kevin Craft will start the game, and coach Rick Neuheisel has said he may play both as the game goes along.

UCLA has also suspended four other players for this game.

So a 50-point outburst against K-State’s solid defense is likely out of the question.

But the Bruins haven’t needed loads of offense to win so far. What UCLA hangs its hat on right now is defense. At Tennessee, for example, UCLA held the Volunteers to 208 total yards and forced four turnovers.

Sophomore defensive back Rahim Moore, who has already grabbed five interceptions this season, was responsible for two of those turnovers.

If the Bruins come anywhere close to duplicating those numbers against the Wildcats, they will almost certainly win.

Possibly helping K-State’s chances, though, is the way UCLA performed a game after upsetting Tennessee a year ago. Back then, the Bruins beat the Vols 27-24 at home in overtime and went to BYU 12 days later and lost 59-0.

Just like the Wildcats are trying to block some outside factors tonight, the Bruins are trying to block that memory.

About Kansas State

After struggling so mightily to move the ball through two games, improving the offense is goal No. 1 today for the Wildcats.

Or more precisely, goal No. 1 is to take as much pressure as possible off of Daniel Thomas.

The junior running back has already proven himself as a play-maker, rushing for more than 100 yards in each of his first two games. Now Kansas State needs to surround him with a few more.

I don’t think it will take much for the Wildcats to do that. If Carson Coffman can complete the easy throws and raise his completion percentage to somewhere around 60 percent that will help tremendously.

If Snyder gets inventive with play calling, that will help.

If kicker Josh Cherry connects on a field goal or two, that will help quite a bit as well.

We’re not talking Statue of Liberty plays here.

The question is can the Wildcats do a better job of accomplishing the simple task against an upgraded defense? Also, can the Wildcats solid defense continue to play tough against an upgraded offense? Even as mediocre as UCLA is moving the ball, it’s better at it than UMass and ULL.

Kansas State’s secondary has looked strong so far, but it will need the help of a pass rush to stay tough against UCLA.

Advantages:

When UCLA runs the ball: UCLA

When UCLA throws the ball: UCLA

When K-State runs the ball: K-State

When K-State throws the ball: UCLA

Special Teams: UCLA

Coaching: K-State

Prediction: UCLA 28, K-State 10

LAFAYETTE, La. — It’s only the second week of the season, and the opponent is a Sun Belt squad that goes by the nickname Ragin’ Cajuns.

This isn’t your typical time or place for a gut-check game.

This is supposed to be an opportunity for Kansas State fans to watch their beloved Wildcats easily take out a lesser known team and sample some fantastic seafood along the way.

I guess they can still eat whatever they want, but the game will be anything but a holiday stroll. This is no automatic win for K-State. True, it comes in as a touchdown favorite, but many out there are picking Louisiana-Lafayette. In the Star’s weekly college football picks section, ULL was the majority selection.

Using BCS bowl selection criteria, the Ragin’ Cajuns would already be decreed winners.

Not a good sign considering K-State’s bowl hopes may rest on this game.

I’m not saying the Wildcats will qualify for the postseason with a win over ULL, (Because of a strange schedule including two I-AA opponents, they would still need four wins against teams not named Tennessee Tech to get there) but it is awfully hard to envision them going bowling without a 2-0 start.

For that reason, this is a vital game for Kansas State.

Not only do the Wildcats have to overcome a motivated team that stayed within eight points of them a year ago in Manhattan, they must do so in front of a pumped up crowd in a tough road environment with plenty on the line.

They are from the Big 12, sure, and own an overall talent advantage. But that only counts for so much. Louisiana-Lafayette is going to come at Kansas State with everything its got, and the game could come down to one or two key plays.

To put it simply: this one is a toss up.

About Louisiana-Lafayette

Any discussion on the Ragin’ Cajuns has to start with their speed.

Teams in the Sun Belt can’t recruit the enormous linemen like BCS powers can, so they scour the south looking for the quickest players available to level the playing field. The Ragin’ Cajuns showed off their speed a year ago, scoring 37 points against the Wildcats, and last week against Southern, scoring 42 points.

ULL coach Rickey Bustle says his teams have always been fast, “but this one is really fast. It’s a much faster team than last year.”

Impressive.

“Quickness will be a factor in the game,” K-State coach Bill Snyder said. “But it’s not just offensive and defensive speed, Lafayette utilizes their speed on special teams.”

What I like most about the Ragin’ Cajuns, though, is their ability to sustain drives. Most really quick teams try to score in a hurry with explosive plays. But in their first game against Southern, the Ragin’ Cajuns reeled off five straight touchdown drives of at least 80 yards.

The first went for a whopping 91 yards.

What sets ULL apart from other speedy teams is the fact that it has an extremely experienced offensive line. All five starters return from a year ago (only 12 other teams in the country can say the same) and they have combined for 113 starts. That number is good for second most of any line in the nation.

It will be interesting to see how K-State’s defensive line, which only came up with one sack against UMass, does against such a veteran group.

“It’s a well coached line,” Snyder said. “They’re an aggressive, offensive line and a faster offensive line than what we played against the first week. Movement will be awfully important this game.”

About Kansas State

The Wildcats’ first game of the season left us with more questions than answers.

Can Carson Coffman develop into a legit Big 12 starting quarterback? Can K-State’s running attack go for nearly 200 yards every time out? Will the Wildcats’ injury ridden offensive and defensive lines improve to a respectable level as the season wears on?

By now, you’ve probably heard all of those.

But how about this one: after K-State built an 18-point lead against UMass, did the Wildcats take their foot of the proverbial pedal? Or were they simply inept in the second half?

My belief is that Snyder saw the game was more or less over and decided to keep his offense as vanilla as possible from that point on. It’s very possible that the master of coaching secrets didn’t want to show his future opponents anything more than he had to.

But that’s up for debate.

How inventive the Wildcats get on offense vs. how well the Wildcats execute on offense will tell us our answer.

All I know is the Wildcats won’t be able to stick to a variation of 10 plays against the Ragin’ Cajuns and hope to win. It will take a strong running attack and a good passing attack. Maybe even a trick play or two. In other words: an open playbook.

Kansas State will also need to get some improved play out of its kicking game. Against UMass, the Wildcats were plagued with mistakes in that area.

They accepted a fair catch within their own 10-yard line. They muffed a punt return. They missed a field goal. And they had a punt blocked and returned for a touchdown.

Those mistakes cost K-State at least 14 points, and that can’t happen down here if the Wildcats expect to win. They may even have to create points on special teams in order to win.

But Snyder has ripped his special teams unit for a week straight now, and here’s betting those players respond in a big way. Maybe even with a game winning field goal.

Advantages:

When K-State runs the ball: K-State

When K-State throws the ball: K-State

When ULL runs the ball: ULL

When ULL throws the ball: ULL

Special Teams: ULL

Coaching: K-State

Prediction: K-State 24, ULL 23

Anyway, we’re here in Lincoln, as I’m sure many of you are as well. I have no idea how this game will play out, and if I did, I’d probably wager a considerable amount of money on the outcome. But, obviously, I don’t, so I’m not.

As for last night, K-State men’s basketball is officially the must-see event of the winter. Shame on you if you haven’t used your tickets yet, and shame on you if fail to recognize how terrific Michael Beasley is. Yes, he’s supposed to be good? But 32 and 24 good? In his first college game? Because it’s early and we’re into stating the obvious today, he’s special.

But what about the guards? Thought to be a weakness, if Blake Young, Jacob Pullen, Fred Brown and, when he’s finally healthy, Clent Stewart can hit open shots – which Young admitted Beasley’s presence would likely yield all season – the Wildcats will be lethal. Imagine surrounding Beasley and Bill Walker in the frontcourt with Young, Pullen and Stewart? Or, as your probable starting five when Big 12 play rolls around, Beasley, Walker and Hoskins in the frontcourt joined by Young and Pullen or Stewart? That’s kind of nice.

Holler at me with your thoughts. On football. On basketball. On life. I’m in a philosophical mood, ready to dispense advice. Fire when ready…

Keep checking throughout the day for updates.

FIRST QUARTER – 12:23
Awful starts for both teams. Baylor seems content to try to run at K-State, which just isn’t going to work. Brandon Whitaker isn’t hitting the hole hard enough. As for the Cats, they looked awfully out of sync early, which is alarming because they’ve been so proficient on opening (scripted) drives. But special teams is going to be a significant factor, and the Bears are dreadful in that area. Dreadful.

7:14 – KSU, 7-0
Freeman leans in from the 1 and gives the Wildcats the first score of the game and the lead. The offense seemed more in tune that drive. Inside the 10, K-State went to the option – take note, Chris Harper – and Freeman kept the ball, earning a couple of yards. A couple of thoughts – Baylor’s defense is solid, but a pass interference call on Alton Widemon, who was covering Jordy Nelson step for step, didn’t help. But the real issue for the Bears is going to be the offense. Yikes, it’s suspect. Things could change, but I can’t see BU mounting any serious charges on that side of the ball. Again, plenty of time left in the game, but…

5:31 – KSU, 10-0
OK, Courtney Herndon strips Mike Machen and Ian Campbell recovers. But the Wildcats can’t punch it in from deep inside BU territory. On third down and 4, Freeman misses his target and it looked like he could have run into the end zone. Prince rips into Freeman on the sideline. Earlier, LaMark Brown left the field and was escorted into the hydrotherapy center of the football complex, dangling his left arm. Rossman connected on a 34-yard field goal.

3:34
Disaster for the Bears. Moving deep into KSU territory, Machen throws a pick to Bryan Baldwin, who was at least the third Wildcat in coverage in the end zone. Someone from the BU contingent in the press box says, “That’s awful.” It was – the Bears walk away with nothing when a score would have changed the complexion of the game.

2:25
Bad toss by Freeman snaps his no turnover-streak when Antareis Bryan picks one off. It’s time for some Weed – John David Weed, that is, the backup BU quarterback. He comes in and moves the Bears a little, but – go figure – Baylor misses a 36-yard field goal. Some poor football being exhibited today.

SECOND QUARTER – 12:53
I feel so bad for Baylor’s defense. This unit is a solid, salty group, flummoxing Freeman and the Cats for the most part all day. But that offense is a hot mess. Blessed with decent starting position after Cedric Wilson produced one of K-State’s best tackles all season – although it was a 15-yard personal foul because it was after the BU punt returner called for a fair catch. Machen was back in, but while he was scrambling, he was hit and fumbled. K-State recovered. Points should be coming shortly.

10:42 – KSU, 13-0
Rossman boots a 34-yarder. We see the option again, which doesn’t work so well because, well, Freeman isn’t the quickest or fastest guy in the world. Jordy Nelson is frustrated, but we’re guessing the People’s Champ will still get the ball another six times this afternoon. Not a crisp performance by the Wildcats, by any means, but as Ron Prince will undoubtedly say after the game, he’ll never begrudge a win – which is where this one is headed, in the win column for the Cats.

6:18
Rossman missed another one, this one from 33 yards. More sloppy play. I’m sure you’re all wishing you were here. Few seconds later, Cline leaps into the air to snare an errant toss from Machen for an interception.

4:15 – KSU, 16-0
Rossman makes it from 33 yards this time. Freeman hits Nelson at the goal line on 3rd down, but Jordan Lake jars the ball loose on the way to the ground. Nice play by the BU safety.

2:34 – KSU, 16-6
The Machen experiment appears over. Blake Szymanski, the opening day starter, is now, and he might be giving the Bears a lift. He completes his first two passes, which is plenty impressive offense on a day like this. He steps into a pass, hits Thomas White in stride, who makes a Wildcat miss and then he sprints the rest of the way for the score, a 52-yard touchdown. Again, go figure – Baylor misses the extra point. Think they’ll stick with Blake?

HALFTIME – KSU, 16-6
Ugly. That’s the best I’ve got. But K-State is on alert. The Wildcats need to play better in the second half. Not saying BU has enough to make this interesting, but you never know.

THIRD QUARTER – 13:00, KSU, 23-6
Baylor couldn’t do anything on its possession, but then K-State decided to get Deon Murphy involved. He returns a punt 55 yards and then Freeman pump-faked on a pass, the Baylor corner bit, and Murphy raced past him for 22-yard touchdown catch. He was wide open. I mean, the corner gave him at least an eight-yard cushion to start, and then he bit on the fake and was still beaten by Murphy.

5:44 – KSU, 30-6
Two key plays that Wyatt and Stan can’t do justice to – Jordy Nelson’s one-handed corral on 3rd and 5 was ridiculous. The run after the catch was expected, but Freeman’s throw was low. Nelson reached back, while running full speed, and controlled the toss. Great play, but not to be undone a few minutes later when Freeman stepped up in the pocket and delivered a 40-yard strike to the end zone to Daniel Gonzalez. Folks, that was a NFL throw. He dropped the ball – on a rope – in the only open space there was, which was into Gonzo’s outstretched hands.

5:14 – KSU, 37-6
Freeman to Nelson – how many times have we said that? – from six yards out. As Levi points out, the BU corner just sat there, almost mesmerized by what was happening. Don’t be surprised if K-State keeps throwing, and especially to Nelson, who the program is promoting for postseason accolades. Nelson has five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown. Freeman has now thrown for 214 yards and three touchdowns — all in the third quarter. Pretty good stuff, especially after a lackluster first half.

That’s all for now, folks. K-State rolls to its fifth victory. Check in tomorrow for my Sunday morning thoughts.

According to Lannou, the K-State contingent left Manhattan in four buses Friday morning at 10 a.m. The Wildcats participated in a walkthrough at East, which is usually done in Manhattan.

“It’s not a bad ride,” Lannou said.

Now, reading between the lines, especially since this isn’t the normal or standard procedure with this program, we’d guess this was an obvious attempt to recruit Arthur and Bryce Brown.

Which would have been fine if either were there.

Arthur and his mentor, Brian Butler, left Friday morning for Baton Rouge; this is Arthur’s official visit to LSU. The Tigers are playing Auburn tonight. As for Bryce, the junior running back simply had something else to do, something already scheduled.

OK, just thought I’d throw that out there. I’m going to take some pictures soon and I’ll post them at some point during the game. Won’t be able to do a standard on-going update, but Levi and I will be checking from time to time.

Anyway, I have one left over from San Jose State – I think – when Wally Judge was visiting:

Got to the Stadium a little early, thanks to Bob Lutz – don’t ask. I dunno, call me crazy – and trust me, I’ve been called worse – but I dig burnt orange. It’s a little more versatile than some of the other colors you find within the Big 12. Really looks good on chicks, too, if you’re into that kind of thing.

Anyway, here’s more of my artwork:

Love the sightlines at Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium…

Have to love Bevo, which got me thinking. Why doesn’t K-State have an actual Wildcat? Hey, a guy can only take so much of Willie. Levi informed me that K-State did, in fact, have a live a real wildcat named “Touchdown” as early as 1922. But this takes the cake – the mascot then turned into a black Labrador named “Boscoe” that appeared at baseball and football games.

OK, a couple of things:

1. Levi found that information here.
2. Boscoe? What is that? Seriously?
3. Trap a wildcat. Please. Have Tim Weiser, who just happens to be a outsdoorsman, handle it. That’s what great athletic directors do…

One more picture…

That JumboTron or whatever the locals call it here is a monstrosity. Good Lord, it’s big.