Kansas State has been thinking about this Saturday's game for a while. Two weeks ago, everything was perfect for the Wildcats.
The team was 10-0 and ranked No. 1 in the BCS rankings, while quarterback Collin Klein was on the cover of Sports Illustrated and a Heisman frontrunner. But then the Wildcats traveled to Baylor and lost 52-24, ruining the perfect season.
The Wildcats had a bye last week, but can rebound from that devastating loss to win the Big 12 title with a win at home against No. 18-ranked Texas. It could be moot by 8 p.m. if the Oklahoma Sooners lose to TCU at noon on Saturday, but either way, the Wildcats control their own destiny and will earn the Big 12 title and an automatic BCS berth with a victory.
The game will also serve as a final audition for quarterback Collin Klein to Heisman voters. This season Klein has thrown for 2,306 yards and 14 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He has completed over 66 percent of his passes and is the team's second-leading rusher with 787 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Klein had the Heisman all but locked up before the Baylor game, but then the Wildcats faltered and fell out of the national title picture. Klein is a front runner with Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M.
"We definitely need to get back on track. There's definitely that mentality," said quarterback Collin Klein to the Associated Press. "I don't know if I'd necessarily call it anger, but there's a lot of motivation and buildup of we just need to get back on track. Our last two performances haven't been stellar. There's a lot of motivation there. I don't know if it's anger, but there's some motivation, no doubt."
Baylor took Kansas State by surprise and outgained the Wildcats by nearly 200 yards on offense. The Bears rushed for 342 yards compared to 76 for Kansas State, and jumped out to a 28-7 lead in the first half.
Head coach Bill Snyder said the team rallied together following the loss, although everyone involved was disappointed with the result.
"If that attitude does persist, I would hope it would be throughout our team, and not be exclusive to one particular group," Snyder said. "We've won collectively and our loss is a collective loss, and our preparation needs to be collective and our attitude just the same."
Klein had his worst game of the season against Baylor, passing for 286 yards and throwing three touchdowns. Baylor did a good job keeping him in the pocket, allowing him to rush for only 39 yards.
"At first there was some anger that set in," Senior kicker Anthony Cantele said, "but once we started to practice, we realized, especially the seniors, this is our last chance to play at home."
Kansas State has been a dominant defensive team this season, holding opponents to just 20 points per game, ranked 22nd in the nation. The Wildcats have allowed over 30 points twice this season, in the loss to Baylor and a 44-30 win against Oklahoma State on Nov. 3.
"Coach Snyder always talks about finishing," Klein said. "As a senior, for all of us as seniors, being able to finish strong is what we want, no doubt."
The offense has been one of the most explosive in the country, gaining over 400 total yards per game. The team is ranked 31st in rushing with 201 yards per game, largely due to the play of Klein. Junior John Hubert is the team's leading rusher, gaining 826 yards and scoring 12 touchdowns.
If Kansas State wins, they will earn only the third conference title in school history, According to the Associated Press.
The Texas Longhorns are coming into the game off of a tough 20-13 loss against TCU last Saturday and would like to end the regular season on a positive note.
Texas has dealt with inconsistent quarterback play from starter David Ash, who had three turnover against TCU and was pulled from the game multiple times. Case McCoy will start against Kansas State in his place due to an injured rib.
"He's not (healthy). We don't get into 'ifs' and 'whats,'" head coach Mack Brown said. "We're trying to figure out what to do with what we've got."
McCoy has passed for 408 yards and four touchdowns with one interception throughout various games this season. Last week against TCU, he threw for 110 yards and one interception while completing 11-of-17 passes.
Texas has played well for most of the season, but has had bad stretches at the worst times. The team won its first four games, but then lost back-to-back games against ranked opponents.
The Longhorns lost a shootout 48-45 against then-No. 8 West Virginia on Oct. 6, then fell the following week to then-No. 13 ranked Oklahoma 63-21. Texas reeled off four more victories, including a 31-22 win over then-No. 18 Texas Tech, before falling to TCU on Saturday.
Texas teams in recent years have shown flashes of brilliance, but haven't been able to play at a consistent level. The Longhorns are ranked 65th in scoring defense and gave up nearly 50 points per game against Oklahoma State, Baylor and Oklahoma, according to the Associated Press.
According to the Associated Press, "Texas hasn't beaten the Wildcats since 2003, losing four straight meetings -- the last two with Klein under center for Kansas State."
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