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Overnight, BCS picture improves for K-State
According to new projections, TCU will not qualify for a BCS bowl by moving up to 16th in the BCS Standings. It’s impossible to know for sure until the real deal happens at 7:15, but nonetheless, it’s good news for K-State fans.
The Wildcats, in that scenario, look to be the frontrunner for the last at-large spot. It would come down to K-State, Boise State and in a few projections, Baylor.
Between those three teams, the Wildcats have an advantage in two things: resume and fan base. That helps the Cats a lot.
Currently, CBS Sports and Yahoo! Sports both have KSU facing Michigan in the Sugar Bowl.
We will know more, including the chances of Oklahoma State passing Alabama for the No. 2 spot, when the Coaches Poll is released in a couple hours. Late last night, several projections had the Cowboys making the jump in what would be “the closest margin between 2 and 3 ever”.
Stay tuned. I’ll be an interesting day.
BCS outlook grim for a deserving K-State team
I’m going to make this clear right now: If the Sugar Bowl chooses Michigan and TCU to play each other, and Oklahoma State isn’t ranked No. 2, it will be a disgrace to college football. Period. The Wildcats have earned their spot.
Unfortunately, I don’t think they’ll get it.
As it looks right now, K-State’s best chance at a BCS bid might be for Oklahoma State to pass Alabama for No. 2 in the BCS Standings. If that happened, KSU would be almost assured of a birth in the Fiesta Bowl.
If OSU stays at No. 3, as ESPN wishes, it would take the Wildcats getting chosen for the Sugar. Four teams (KSU, Michigan, TCU and Boise State) would be up for two spots.
That, of course, is assuming TCU and Michigan both reach eligibility in the standings. I think they will, and I might be wrong. IT depends on where Virginia Tech, Michigan State, Baylor, Clemson and Houston land.
I can be a pessimist, or even paranoid at times when it comes to issues like this. I apologize. It’s a character trait. But that’s a discussion for another day.
Anyway, we will find out all of this stuff for sure at 7:15 tomorrow. Here are my projections, for what they’re worth, and take ‘em with a grain of salt.
BCS National Championship — LSU vs. Alabama — The Cowboys deserve it. The voters won’t care enough.
Orange Bowl — Clemson vs. West Virginia — This matchup is assured.
Sugar Bowl — Michigan vs. TCU — All comes down to whether they reach eligibility. If one or both of them does not, K-State may be golden. But I think they both will.
Rose Bowl — Oregon vs. Wisconsin — This matchup is assured.
Fiesta Bowl — Oklahoma State vs. Stanford — Stanford is a lock. OSU will be here if they don’t pass Alabama in the BCS Standings.
Grades and Reaction: Kansas State 30, Iowa State 23
The scene in the Kansas State locker room after the game couldn’t help but bring a smile to my face.
“Ten! Ten wins! Ten! Ten wins!” the team chanted collectively. For the first time since 2003, the statement was true. With yet another nail-biting ending, K-State put itself in position to go to a BCS bowl if the stars align correctly.
To put it best, I make this statement: Kansas State is one win away from this season making the switch from “special” to “legendary”.
It didn’t come easily, and at times it was hard to watch. Can we expect anything differently anymore? Regardless, the Cardiac Cats found a way to get it done again.
More reaction will come throughout the weekend. Here are the grades.
KSU Offense: B
John Hubert had his best showing of the season, rushing for 124 yards on 15 carries. His 26-yard touchdown run with 2:43 left was incredible. Having a running back that can compliment Collin Klein is extremely valuable to the Wildcats. On the other hand, K-State failed to put the game away when it had opportunities to, settling for three second-half field goals that kept the Iowa State breathing. Klein was only average throwing the ball.
KSU Defense: B-
Sure, the Wildcats had some pretty big stops when absolutely necessary. But the Cyclones ran their offense exactly how they wanted to, with too many long rushes for my liking. K-State was pretty poor defending runs up the middle and passes on crossing routes. The Cyclone offensive line dominated KSU for much of the game. In the end, the stats said it all: 368 Cyclone yards, with 215 on the ground. Too many.
KSU Special Teams: B+
Kickoff coverage was a major issue. Besides that, not a lot to complain about. The Wildcats recorded several good returns on their own, and Anthony Cantele was 3/3 on field goals. Oh yeah, and that blocked extra point. That Snyder Staple had a big impact on the game.
Reasons to Hope: 10-2. Need I say more?
Reasons to Mope: The Wildcats came out pretty flat. A rain delay impacts this, but I expected KSU to handle it better. Sure, K-State is 8-1 in games decided by a touchdown or less, but would the Cats really have needed to ‘survive’ at the end if they hadn’t played such a lackluster first quarter?
Q&A with BCS guru: “If Michigan qualifies, they’re in”
I just got an interview with Jerry Palm of CollegeRPI.com, and discussed BCS bowl scenarios with him. The outlook is not great for the Kansas State Wildcats from a BCS perspective. This is what he told me:
TD: What are K-State’s chances of getting picked for the Sugar Bowl over Michigan?
JP: “If Michigan qualifies (for a BCS bowl) they’re in. It’s that simple. K-State and Boise State wouldn’t be chosen for a game like that above a team with a superstar player and a national brand.”
TD: How much impact does a fan base have on bowl selection, compared to the actual resume between the two teams?
JP: “Those bowl games do not care about a team ranked four or five spots ahead of them. It’s all about who has the bigger following and who will bring more fans. Is that fair? Maybe not, but it’s the way things are.”
TD: In a worst-case scenario, if K-State lost to Iowa State and Baylor beat Texas, could the Bears be picked for the Alamo over KSU?
JP: “I don’t think so. Honestly, I think K-State’s chances at the Cotton are really good (if OSU beats OU). Oklahoma is the least attractive team to the Cotton Bowl out of the Big 12, because they play Texas there every year. When you factor in K-State’s fan base, I think the Cotton would really like to take K-State if given the chance.
So, there you have it. K-State’s chances at getting the the Sugar Bowl are almost entirely dependent on Michigan staying out of the top 14 in the BCS Standings. For that to happen, K-State should be rooting for Georgia in the SEC title game (if Oklahoma State could get into Top 2), for a very close Big Ten title game, and for a Southern Miss upset of Houston. Fingers crossed.
But of course, the most important thing is….
Beat Iowa State.
tdreiling
