You would think this would have been a terrific weekend. Veteran's Day allowed for a 3-day vacation. The weather in OC has been outstanding. But, sadly, this weekend turned sour. And quickly.
The Kansas State-Nebraska game Saturday morning absolutely killed my weekend. To put this in context, it was not easy growing up a K-State fan. Sports Illustrated did an article in the '80's calling K-State "Futility U." It was deemed the worst football program in the nation. The Wildcats went 4-40-1 from 1984-1988. This was a difficult pill to swallow. My parents went to Kansas State. My grandfather played for the Cats back in the 1930's. And I was raised on the Cats. We would take trips to Manhattan, KS to watch games. I had K-State t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and socks. Yes, socks. But it was tough rooting for a loser.
Which brings us to this year. Coach Snyder retired two seasons ago, and the Cats have been up and down. The glory days may be gone, but we have beaten Texas two straight years. As for Nebraska, they are in complete disarray. Last week, Kansas scored 76 points on the Huskers. Their much maligned coach has his head on the chopping block. Their starting quarterback is hurt. An easy "W" for the Cats, right? Wrong. Nebraska decides to show up on Saturday, and drops a 73 point bomb on the Cats in Lincoln. 73? Is this 2007, or 1987? Holy schnikes.
Kansas State is now in jeopardy of missing out on a bowl. That is no beuno. They need to beat either Missouri or Fresno State to become bowl eligible. Missouri may be a tall task, and going to Bulldog Stadium in Fresno could prove to be difficult. I would be happy with a split. But would a 6-6 (3-5) record be attractive to any bowl? Texas Bowl? Insight.com Bowl?
Even if this season ends without a bowl game, there is one future Wildcat who will be rooting on the Purple and the White:
The Kansas State-Nebraska game Saturday morning absolutely killed my weekend. To put this in context, it was not easy growing up a K-State fan. Sports Illustrated did an article in the '80's calling K-State "Futility U." It was deemed the worst football program in the nation. The Wildcats went 4-40-1 from 1984-1988. This was a difficult pill to swallow. My parents went to Kansas State. My grandfather played for the Cats back in the 1930's. And I was raised on the Cats. We would take trips to Manhattan, KS to watch games. I had K-State t-shirts, sweatshirts, posters, and socks. Yes, socks. But it was tough rooting for a loser.
For years, this was the mascot, Willie the Wildcat. Lovable: yes. Intimidating: not so much
Throughout these lean years, Nebraska was always piling it on. In fact, Nebraska beat K-State 29 straight years. That is over a generation of blowouts. Not even Britney has been a train wreck for 29 years.
Nicely done, Brit. Nicely done.
But things started to change when Coach Snyder was hired in 1989. Immediately, he shook things up. Willie took a backseat. Snyder replaced the friendly critter with a logo that inspired the Wildcat Nation: The PowerCat.
Automatica Gramatica
During this reign of excellence, Kansas State broke the drought against Nebraska. The Huskers could not even defeat the Cats in Manhatten during an eight year span. Nebraska fans complained that KSU was running up the score during a big win. Life was good.
The Dali Lama
Big Hitter the Lama
Which brings us to this year. Coach Snyder retired two seasons ago, and the Cats have been up and down. The glory days may be gone, but we have beaten Texas two straight years. As for Nebraska, they are in complete disarray. Last week, Kansas scored 76 points on the Huskers. Their much maligned coach has his head on the chopping block. Their starting quarterback is hurt. An easy "W" for the Cats, right? Wrong. Nebraska decides to show up on Saturday, and drops a 73 point bomb on the Cats in Lincoln. 73? Is this 2007, or 1987? Holy schnikes.
Kansas State is now in jeopardy of missing out on a bowl. That is no beuno. They need to beat either Missouri or Fresno State to become bowl eligible. Missouri may be a tall task, and going to Bulldog Stadium in Fresno could prove to be difficult. I would be happy with a split. But would a 6-6 (3-5) record be attractive to any bowl? Texas Bowl? Insight.com Bowl?
Even if this season ends without a bowl game, there is one future Wildcat who will be rooting on the Purple and the White:
Caden. He is standing on the K-State stool that belonged to Paul Fairbank, who played end for KSU during the 1930-31 seasons
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