KSU Best Not Look Ahead

By Keith Whitmire
November 12, 2009

Missouri (5-4, 1-4) at Kansas State (6-4, 4-2)
VERSUS, Noon ET Saturday

BIG 12 BOILING POINTS
This is a matchup of two teams whose fortunes changed when conference play began: One for the better, one for the worst.

Kansas State trudged along in non-conference play in its first season of the return legendary coach Bill Snyder. When Big 12 play began, the Wildcats eked out a 24-23 win over Iowa State. Little did we know then the game was Kansas State’s first of many statements of superiority in the Big 12’s North Division.

Kansas State is now 4-2 in conference play, 6-4 overall and needs one more win to qualify for a bowl game (seven wins are needed because K-State played two lower NCAA subdivision teams). The Wildcats might even be headed to the Big 12 championship game, although a North showdown with Nebraska’s crushing defense looms on Nov. 21.

Before the Wildcats can address the Huskers, they have to take care of business against a Missouri team that has seen its bottom drop out. Since conference play began, the Tigers haven’t resembled the team the opened the season with a rousing win over rival Illinois.

After a 4-0 start, Missouri has lost four of its last five games to fall to 5-4 overall, 1-4 in conference play. The Tigers hit bottom last week in a 40-32 loss to a depleted Baylor team. Missouri’s players held a closed-door meeting the next day to air some grievances and inspire each other.

Missouri is also just one win away from bowl eligibility. But no one wants to see a team limp into postseason. With Iowa State and Kansas next, Missouri has a chance to put a strong finish onto the season. But the turnaround has to start now.

TIGERS TO WATCH
When healthy, quarterback Blaine Gabbert has, at times, been a dazzling trigger man for Missouri’s spread offense. He’s still a sophomore in his first year as a starter, so expect great plays and a few mistakes. Running back Derrick Washington has a thigh contusion, but should play. Against teams like Kansas State, Washington should have an opportunity to get some yards and take some pressure off Gabbert and the passing game.

WILDCATS TO WATCH
Brandon Banks must be licking his chops. The Kansas State return man has brought back four kicks for touchdowns this season. Missouri ranks 104th nationally in kickoff coverage. You do the math. On scrimmage plays, look for K-State to pound away with running back Daniel Thomas. He’s rushed for 1,087 yards and 11 touchdowns so far.

MISSOURI KEYS
The Tigers are a team of two halves, offensively. They score points in the first half, then something strange happens to them at halftime when they transform into an offensively-challenged outfit. Coach Gary Pinkel has even taken to saying, “It’s the fourth quarter” and similar phrases before running plays in practice, just to establish a second-half mindset. If Missouri can get over its second-half phobia, it can compete with K-State.

KANSAS STATE KEYS
The Wildcats should just keep doing what they’ve been doing: Snyderball. That means an offense built around the run game, an aggressive defense and big plays from the special teams. This has been almost a magical season for Kansas State. Even Snyder seems surprised by the sudden success. More importantly, K-State’s players haven’t gotten too down after tough losses. They showed resiliency after a humbling, 66-14 loss to Texas Tech and gave Oklahoma a game in a 42-30 loss in Norman. That attitude will serve the Wildcats well should Missouri’s offense spring for some early scores.

PREDICTION
Snyder has beaten Missouri 13 straight times – although all those wins came during his first stint in Manhattan. Still, this season has brought back so much of Snyder’s style in so many ways. Missouri could be in do-or-die mode, but with a shot at the division title so close, it’s hard to imagine the Wildcats losing focus at home.
Kansas State 35 Missouri 21

During his 12-year stint with The Dallas Morning News Keith Whitmire was a Big 12 and national college football columnist. He resides in Dallas.