Open Game Thread: Kansas State at Mississippi State

Through two full weeks of action, all cylinders are firing for the Kansas State Wildcats. And not just all cylinders, it looks like the Wildcats have upgraded from their trusty but dated I4 to a efficient-yet-powerful V6. Things are certainly looking up for the Wildcat football program.

But a much bigger test awaits today as the Wildcats leave the comfy confines of Bill Snyder Family Stadium and head to the wastelands SEC country to face the Mississippi St. Bulldogs amidst the seas of cowbells. The Wildcats new-found horsepower will be tested pound-for-pound against a Bulldog team that is running on a gas-guzzling V8.

Though the real “problem” for the Wildcats right now might actually not be the Bulldogs, but heightened program expectations after two straight blow-out victories. Coming in to the season, nearly everyone not guzzling the most potent of the purple kool-aid chalked this game up as a loss for the Wildcats. And after what happened in Manhattan last year, and all the questions coming in to the new season, it’s pretty clear why that was the case. But now Wildcat fans are starting to believe again, and many have pushed their projection for this game into near-”coin-flip” status.

And they wouldn’t be wrong either. If the Wildcats can maintain their trajectory from the first two games, this game could be a very exciting game, one in which K-State has a legitimate chance of pulling the upset in Starkville. Of course, there’s still a matter of the talent available to the Bulldogs, and a tough road environment will give the visitors significant distractions.

This game is still most likely a loss for the visiting Wildcats, but that doesn’t mean there’s no chance. Some things need to go right for the Wildcats, but this game is certainly within reach. And that’s why they play the game.

We’ve got some extra pre-game content for you this week. First up, but sure and check out AMS’s How to Watch post with all the important details for today’s game. TB dropped back in this week with his Kicking the Tires preview of the Bulldogs. And Drew has and even more in-depth breakdown of both the Miss State offense, which is a two-headed monster, and defense, a unit that thrives on 3rd-and-long.

We’ve got another early kickoff, but the game will be on ESPN with Bob Wischusen (play-by-play), Dan Orlovsky (analyst), and Allison Williams (sidelines) on the call. You can also catch it on WatchESPN (but not ESPN+) if you can’t get to your TV.

If you don’t get ESPN, or can’t access the stream, 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 119, XM Channel 199, 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.

Go Cats!