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The last time Texas won in Manhattan, the only time Texas has ever won in Manhattan, the two teams taking the field finished the season with identical 11-2 records and mirrored in the polls (6/7 and 7/6). Some kid named Vince Young was riding the pine on the Texas sideline, and some other dude named Ell Roberson leading the Wildcat offense.
This year is not even close to that one. This game most feels like 2010, though in many ways this Cat team is the exact opposite of the 2010 squad.
K-State and Texas enter today’s contest sporting equally disappointing 3-3 records, and the best win between the two teams may be K-State’s shootout win over Texas Tech in Manhattan two weeks ago.
The biggest question for today’s contest comes from the Wildcats. Will Jesse Ertz play? If he does, is he even 100%? 90%? Or will Joe Hubener play? Or will we see the Great Deltoning of Texas?
Well, probably not the latter.
What we can be sure of is this could be a turning point game for both teams. Win and you are only two games away from bowl eligibility (and for K-State, with games left against Iowa State and Kansas, almost a near-lock), lose and you are below .500 for the second time this season. Bill Snyder has certainly show his capability of weathering that storm, but Charlie Strong’s seat would be too hot to touch.
The stats and history are on the side of the Wildcats. But will that be enough today? Will “We Own Texas” resonate through The Bill?
Be sure to hit our pregame content, including the How to Watch post for all your vital media information and TB’s Kicking the Tires preview for equally vital on-field information and stats. Also, Derek took a deeper look at those stats, and why one weird stat favors K-State so much.