The Wildcats and Cyclones tangle in Ames, each looking to pick up their ninth win of the season.
Well, it was fun while it lasted. Nothing today has gone the way it’s needed to go for Kansas State to make the Big 12 Championship game this season, but that’s been the story of the season. Close, but not quite there — the same team that beat Colorado on the road couldn’t beat Houston.
But that doesn’t mean there is nothing left to play for. A win for the Wildcats today over Iowa State in FARMAGEDDON gives K-State their third-straight season with at least nine wins — the best run for the Wildcats since the Decade of Dominance started with eight-straight seasons with nine or more wins. A win also keeps the Cyclones from their fourth-ever nine-win season, at least until the bowl game. A no, the Cyclones have never won more than nine games in one season.
There’s also the opportunity to avenge last season’s loss. Last time out, these two teams played a sloppy, weirdly high-scoring snow game in Manhattan. A game that Iowa State won 42-35 on Senior Night in Manhattan because the K-State defense was incapable of stopping simple running plays. Hopefully, that’s not an issue tonight on what should be a cold but clear night in Ames.
Iowa State is the home favorite tonight, but just by the minimum that oddsmakers give the home team. That means that most consider this a toss-up game, and that’s exactly how this feels. Expect a close, hard-fought game that should go down to the wire. Whoever can make the fewest mistakes will likely win, and that usually favors the home team.
That said, K-State should win this game. K-State needs to win this game. But don’t be surprised if the Cyclones pull this one out at home.
We’ve got an 6:30pm CT kickoff for tonight’s game from Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, and you can catch the action on FOX (or online via FoxSports.com) with Connor Onion (Play-by-Play) and Mark Helfrich (Analyst) on the call.
If you don’t have FOX or can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across the 28-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 SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 388, and available online at K-Statesports.com. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!