Kansas State vs TCU: Open Game Thread

It’s football gameday, Wildcats fans, and if you’re here today that means you’re a true-purple Wildcat fan...or you’re a little crazy...or both.

Today’s game between the Kansas State Wildcats and the TCU Horned Frogs is a battle to stay out of the Big 12 basement. For the Cats, a loss would merely mean a tie with Kansas for last place; for the Frogs, a loss would give them the distinction, and dishonor, of taking the 10th-place spot from KU, and spot the Jayhawks have held firmly on to for the better part of a decade. Two proud programs duking it out today to prevent falling to the depths of the Jayhawks...oh, how the mighty have fallen in 2018.

For TCU, having a tough season wasn’t completely unexpected. This was a young team headed into the season, and Gary Patterson was breaking in a new QB among other players across his starting units. But injuries and the loss of the Frogs best player, for being an idiot off the field, have really started to scuttle an already rocky season. For TCU, this is now all about building for the future, getting young guys reps, and hoping that this season isn’t a total waste while they rebuild for the future.

Things started out different in Manhattan. Some young players coupled with a bevy of returning starts, especially on offense, gave Wildcat fans some optimism headed in to the season. An 8- or 9-win season didn’t seem unreasonable, with the potential for more with the right upsets. But this season has just been upsetting for Wildcat fans, with K-State struggling against average foes, and struggling to even stay on the field against top-level opponents. And with Bill Snyder’s future in Manhattan unclear as ever, don’t expect to see the Wildcats building for the future the rest of the season, instead expect the SnyderCats to circle the wagons and hope they can put together three more wins to limp to another bowl game.

So this may not be the Toilet Bowl, but the Purple Clash is going to look more like a purple slap-fight. One team will win, but nothing is going to look very appealing while it happens.

TB didn’t kick the tires this week, mostly for fear of the wheels actually falling off this jalopy, but Drew dropped in his place with a game-plan for the Wildcats to beat TCU, which involves focusing on the small picture today. Also, if you dare, AMS has your How to Watch info for this game.

Today’s contest, set for a 2:30pm CDT kickoff, can be seen nationally on FS1 with Cory Provus (play-by-play) and Ben Leber (analyst) on the call (I feel sorry for Ben, who likely will have a tough time staying professional while watching this version of his Wildcats). You should also be able to stream the game at FoxSportsGo.com or on the FoxSportsGo app.

If you can’t get to a TV, or you don’t get FS1 (or just can’t stand to watch this contest but still want to keep tabs on the Cats), the game can be heard across the 39-station K-State Sports Network with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst), and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. The game will also be on Sirius Channel 105, XM Channel 384, and available on the TuneIn app. Live stats are available at k-statesports.com, and Twitter updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage from K-State Athletics.

Go Cats!