FOOTBALL PREDICTIONS
Texas at Kansas: The Longhorns are obviously going to win this game, but I’ve heard from a lot of people who think the Jayhawks could stay competitive. While it’s true they played Oklahoma State tough, I don’t see the same happening here. Texas has a bad defense, but so does Kansas. The Longhorns will score lots of points and win easy.

TCU at Oklahoma State : This is one of the most intriguing games of the day. TCU has a much stronger defense. But Oklahoma State has a far superior offense. Which is more important? I think Oklahoma State will benefit from a home-field advantage and win. But it will be a close game.

Baylor at Iowa State : The Cyclones need a victory to increase their chances of reaching a bowl game. The Bears need a win, period. So both sides come into this game desperate. But I give Iowa State the edge, because it has a decent defense. Baylor hasn’t stopped anyone this season.

Notre Dame at Oklahoma : The Fighting Irish have been playing well all season, and if they win this game they will win over whatever doubters are still out there. Can they pull off the upset? I don’t see it happening. Oklahoma has been dominant the past few games. I expect the Sooners to win by 14.

Texas Tech at Kansas State : Expect Texas Tech to provide the test West Virginia was supposed to. The Red Raiders have a great quarterback, a strong offense and a quality defense. And this is the Red Raiders’ chance to get back in the Big 12 championship hunt. They will be motivated, and ready to play. K-State will need to play well to win, and I think it will. Behind Collin Klein, I see the Wildcats pulling away in the fourth quarter. My prediction: K-State 33, Texas 24.

PICTURE OF THE DAY

If you haven’t done so yet, go click on the massive photo gallery the Eagle put together of Collin Klein earlier this week. This is my favorite picture of the group — Klein throwing a block for Tyler Lockett. Not something you see very often.

LINKS
– If you haven’t the seen the Miami Herald opinion piece that has K-State fans upset today, well, this is probably your first time logging onto the Internet today.

The article, entitled Please no Kansas State in title game includes the following lines:

Snyder, the 73-year-old sage of Manhattan, Kan., has been offering advice — scorching the egos — to a lot of young whippersnappers these first two months of the college football season. His Wildcats (7-0) are ranked third in the Bowl Championship Series standings heading into Saturday’s home game against Texas Tech, and Snyder is the clear Coach of the Year front-runner.

All that is great, and we’re really happy for the old man; now please go away.

No one — and I mean no one except for maybe a few crusty sportswriters and a handful of people in the Middle of Nowhere, Kan. — wants to see the Kansas State football team board a plane on New Year’s Day 2013 and fly south to Miami for the BCS National Championship Game.

And

Look, I’m sure it’s a feel-good story to some people that Snyder thumbed his nose at Social Security to return to Kansas State and rebuild the program with JUCO players and transfers. Frankly, I could care less, and I’m pretty sure the majority of college football fans feel the same way.

In Miami, a Kansas State-Alabama BCS title game matchup would just be downright embarrassing.

The article is clearly meant to rile K-State fans up. Even the end is interesting, with the writer choosing Alabama’s center and Notre Dame’s linebacker in front of Collin Klein in the Heisman Trophy race.

– Here’s my story in today’s paper about Ty Zimmerman, who has intercepted a pass in four straight games.

– Another story from me on K-State’s starting left tackle, Cornelius Lucas, who has made significant improvements since he learned he was probably going to be the starter this season.

– Blair Kerkhoff takes a look at K-State grad Kelly Stewart, who is making a nice living in Las Vegas as a sports handicapper.

– The Lubbock Avalanche Journal analyzes how Collin Klein vs. Seth Doege has serious Heisman implications. Just like last week with Collin Klein vs. Geno Smith.

– Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt, a former K-State football player, says there is no game he wants the Red Raiders to win more than tomorrow’s game in Manhattan.