Right--obviously, this team still needs to win three tough games, and that takes precedent. And it barely needs stressing that if Collin has *any* sort of lingering concussion issues, he should be on the bench next week and beyond until he's cleared.

But as I woke up this morning and saw Dan Wetzel's Yahoo article "Sources: Kansas State's Collin Klein pulled from game after concussion concern", I got a sinking feeling.

In 1973, Michigan and Ohio State played to a 10-10 tie. OSU had been to the Rose Bowl the year before and it was understood that it was Michigan's "turn". But because Michigan QB Dennis Franklin had broken his collar bone in that game, the Big 10 committee decided to send OSU and Michigan stayed home for the holidays. (The Big 10 only allowed one bowl team per season back then.)

Even if Collin is absolutely fine, this could be an opening for anyone who has an underlying urge to drop them in their polls. After all, what is Kansas State without Collin Klein, (they will argue). I could easily see the call being subconscious--there's not a lot separating #1 from #4 this year and some form of reasonable argument could be made for placing any one team in any slot. And, of course, it's not unlikely (assuming there are more than two undefeated teams) that the BCS championship participants could be determined by a few pollsters dropping a team from 2nd to 3rd. It may be that close.

So, Bill--break with tradition and discuss this injury. Assuming that Collin is completely fine, dismiss any concerns with an "ah shucks, he's fine...just no need to risk it with a big lead, especially since we trust our back up" type response.

I know that this isn't what Bill does. But this is the rarest of circumstances. I know that Bill says he doesn't concern himself with polls related matters--and I 98% believe him. But this is his and his team's chance for a national championship. Almost happened in "98 and no one thought it could happen again. It could.

We'd all like if all got decided on the field. And it may--in ways that we might love or might hate. But it could also come down to receiving 21 second place votes in the Harris Poll or receiving only 17. And any underlying concern about the health of the team's marquee player could make that difference. And it matters to all of us--Bill included.