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It’s time for the Purple Rumble in Manhattan.
The Kansas State Wildcats return home after finally earning their first Big 12 win in nine tries, and suddenly things feel a bit better in Wildcatland than they did this time last week. Funny how much a win does to the fan psyche. At 4-3, things still aren’t super great, but it sure feels a lot better than 3-4.
Which is what today’s visitors are looking at headed into today. The TCU Horned Frogs also have a Big 12 win (also against Texas Tech), but are just 3-4 this season thanks to a loss in non-conference play. TCU has a potent offense, but a terrible defense (only above Kansas among Big 12 schools in the major metrics), and have struggled with some of the same self-inflicted mistakes that have plagued the Wildcats so far this season.
This is the kind of game that could turn into a shootout, or a shoot-in-the-foot-out much like last week’s game against Texas Tech. Either way, it’s probably going to be close. And both teams need the W to keep their season on track. TCU needs a win today to find a speck of light in the remaining schedule, with three ranked teams among the four games left after today. For the Wildcats, a win today would almost certainly lock up bowl eligibility with a game against KU the following week.
But today, the Wildcats need to cut down on the mistakes and get back to playing clean, well-executed football. Or at least not look like they have for much of the past four games. It would be much preferable if this looked more like the game against Nevada than the game against Texas Tech.
We’ve a 2:30pm CT kickoff from Bill Snyder Family Stadium being aired on ESPNU with Mike Couzens (play-by-play) and Dustin Fox (analyst) on the call. The game should also be available streaming via WatchESPN, if you already have the correct TV subscription.
If for some reason you don’t get ESPNU, 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 98, XM Channel 200, and available on the The Varsity Network app. Live stats are available at k-statesports.com, and Twitter updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!