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BREAKING NEWS:
There has been a shooting this morning on the campus of Florida State University. Three students were wounded, including one currently in critical condition. The suspected gunman is believed dead after exchanging fire with the police. Keep the people of Florida State in your thoughts today.
After a couple of slow news days, things around here may be heating up again, at least if yesterday's content is anything to go by. Here's what you may have missed. First, Luke Thompson and BracketCat brought up Bring on the Podcast and a conversation with David Smith of The Smoking Musket. Second, BracketCat took a look at the Week 10 Depth Chart, while Luke and Jon Morse sink to new depths in your Wednesday FEPO action. Curtis Kitchen was pretty busy yesterday, with the announcement of Kansas State's 2015 football schedule, and the Big 12 Power Rankings. Finally, last but definitely not least, here's Jon's all-important How to Watch post, with all the important gameday details.
West Virginia and Kansas State both lost their last games in lackluster fashion, and that has definitely taken the shine off this game. Nevertheless, this is still a big game, and for Kansas State, it's a chance to stay alive in a run for at least a piece of the conference pie. Both teams are coming off a bye, and for the Mountaineers, it was a much-needed break after six straight weeks of competition. It's also Senior Day in Morgantown, and Clint Trickett will be looking to cement his legacy there. If the Wildcats want to win this game, the team is going to have to reclaim its defensive identity, according to Arne Green in the Salina Journal. This is likely to be a contest of quarterbacks though. As Ken Corbitt of the Topeka Capital-Journal suggests, Jake Waters is third best in the conference in passing efficiency, right behind West Virginia's Trickett. The Mountaineers remember well the last Kansas State quarterback to play in Morgantown, and they are not surprised to find Waters benefitting from Collin Klein and his experience. In the Collegian, Tate Steinlage notes that Kansas State needs balance on offense, i.e. a rushing attack. Meanwhile, Austin Earl takes a look at the Big 12 defensive power rankings and Emilio Rivera has the Big 12 offensive power rankings. Not surprisingly, TCU is on top of both lists. The Collegian also breaks down the game by the numbers. Bill Snyder is a semifinalist for the Maxwell Coach of the Year award. He's definitely enjoying his second stint on the sidelines.
The Wildcats are about to embark on a week-long road trip, beginning with a trip to Long Beach State, followed by a flight to Hawaii for the Maui Invitational. Kansas State is looking to start the season 3-0 for the ninth time in ten seasons. Justin Edwards, who is in Manhattan via Orono, Maine and Whitby, Ontario, is looking to make a huge impact after sitting out last year. Kelly McHugh profiles Edwards in this SE piece.
Six Kansas State players have been named to the Academic All-Big 12 team, including five on the first team. This makes 94 academic recognitions for the team under Suzie Fritz.
It is easy to be cynical about college sports. But every now and then, we're reminded that these games and programs have an impact beyond on-field performance and revenues. We saw it with Rex Burkhead and little Jack Hoffman at Nebraska. We saw it with Ryan Mueller and Kaiden Schroeder's run at the spring game. Now there's Billy Drash with Minnesota. Eleven-year old Billy has epilepsy and has been in contact with Jerry Kill as a result. Coach Kill's work on his own condition and his work with epilepsy charities is highlighted here, in an article by CNN reporter Wayne Drash, Billy's father: Grit Beyond the Game.