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It’s Farmageddon time! Kansas State plays Iowa State today in Manhattan. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:30 PM. Jon Morse has all your game and broadcast details in the all-important HOW TO WATCH post.
It’s Senior Day in Manhattan, and several players will suit up for the last time. BotC takes this opportunity to thank the following players for their contributions to the football program and the Kansas State community: defensive back Brogan Barry, defensive end Davis Clark, quarterback Jesse Ertz, offensive lineman Bryce Fitzner, defensive tackle Will Geary, linebacker Jayd Kirby, punter Mitch Lochbihler, place kicker Matthew McCrane, defensive back Cre Moore, defensive back Sean Newlan, defensive tackle Ray Price, defensive end C.J. Reese, long snapper Drew Scott, linebacker Trent Tanking, punter Nick Walsh, offensive lineman Glenn Williams, linebacker Tyler White and defensive end Tanner Wood.
Happy trails, Wildcats!
Last week’s win over Oklahoma State secured bowl eligibility for Kansas State, so some of the pressure is off for the home team today. That said, there’s still plenty to play for, and Iowa State—even the much-improved 2017 version—is in for a tough fight.
TB picked Kansas State to win a close game in Kicking the Tires. Our brethren at Wide Right Natty Lite went the other way, because they’re Cyclones and nothing if not predictable in their contrariness.
Speaking of WRNL, Jon Morse answered questions for those lovable reprobates, and suggested a broken down combine as a possible Farmageddon trophy. WRNL’s Levi Stevenson returned the favour, and talked about “culture change.”
AMS notes that Iowa State is nothing at all like Kansas State, as he takes down the Cyclones in this week’s episode of Trash Talk.
It’s been a tough season for Kansas State, due in no small part to injuries. The Wildcats are held together mostly with duct tape and a huge side of determination. Skylar Thompson is under center now because both Jesse Ertz and Alex Delton are too hurt to play. Alex Barnes, whose 86-yard performance against Oklahoma State, was lost in the fireworks produced by Byron Pringle, has also been playing hurt for most of the season.
The Cyclones are no strangers to the injury bug. If Kansas State seems snake bit at QB, consider that Zeb Noland—the probable starter today—is fourth string. The backup signal caller, sometimes deployed in short yardage situations, is Joel Lanning, who also plays linebacker and leads the team in tackles.
Allen Lazard is the key to Iowa State’s suddenly potent passing game. If it feels like Lazard has been burning the Wildcat secondary for years now, it’s only because it’s true.
Still, Kansas State has been able to count on some late-game shenanigans to put away Iowa State recently, so let’s hope the wizardry continues.
Go Cats!