Tag Archives: Collin Klein

Pick It And Stick It: Championing The Pick

Big 12 Media Day

After a turkey induced coma, I’m back!  It’s the last big week of the season.  Yup, it’s championship weekend!  Except for the Big 12.  They have a kinda, sorta, championship weekend.  I’ll be personally overseeing this as well to make sure it’s kinda, sorta, awesome.  But until I make that trip to Waco, I’m going to run down how I think things will shake out. Continue reading Pick It And Stick It: Championing The Pick

Kansas Football Preview 2014: Hey, There’s Hype To Live Up To

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Hey it’s another year of football for Kansas State and it’s a weird time to be a fan.  Usually Kansas State comes in underpicked, underestimated, and just generally dumped on.  Welp this year is different.  The Wildcats ended the year strong with an even stronger win over Michigan in the bowl game.  Now all of the sudden the pundits and spineless sports media are picking Kansas State to finish well.

It’s a weird feeling.  If any fan, and team, watches and plays better with a chip on their shoulder, it’s Kansas State.  So now it’s time to act like we’ve been there.  Yes, we have, but that added extra juice of being the underdog is gone.  What’s a K-Stater to do?  I guess the best thing is to do what got you to this point.

For us fans, that means cheering loud and staying proud.  Pretty easy.  For the football team, that means Jake Waters tossing bombs to Tyler Lockett.  That’s pretty easy, too, actually.  It helps that there’s this sexy stats the pundits refer to that each returning Wildcat quarterback leads the team to 11 wins (minus the early Snyder teams).  So Jake Waters has that going for him.

You know what else he has going for him?  Collin Klein.  No no, he’s not playing for the team again, he’s COACHING them.  While you can’t teach those kind of running instincts, Collin Klein can at least give direction.  And that’s exactly what he’s doing with Jake Waters.  Dark horse Heisman right there.  I expect Jake Waters to do great, great things this year.  More so than Tyler Lockett, although he’s right up there.

The offense sort of has questions elsewhere.  There’s a decent group of wide receivers coming back, even though Daniel Sams took off after losing the quarterback job.  The running back situation will be a committee until someone shows up.  I hope its fast.  There’s a polarized set of experience on the offense line and I hope they gel fast too.

I’m not sure what’s up on defense.  Ryan Mueller is the man on the defense line (and former St. Thomas Aquinas alum, like me).  That’s about all I know.  There’s a couple of JUCO transfers that will help out immediately and we’ll have to see what the team looks like when they take the field today.  Chances are, they will be fundamentally sound but not the biggest and fasted.  Just like the last couple of years.

So speaking of games, how do I see the Wildcats this year?  After last year’s fist game turd, I expect them to punch the ball in quicker and grow a bigger lead in the first half against Stephen F. Austin and then let up on the peddle a bit.  They won’t be vanilla the whole game.  Not with what’s coming up next.

Right after that, it’s a brutal stretch.  Farmageddon is next, then Auburn.  Iowa State will be better on the offensive side of the ball  now that they got Mark Mangino as the offensive coordinator.  And it’s on the road.  Even though it wasn’t close last year, it will be this year.  Kansas State will win.

Auburn is the big tomato.  At least it’s in Manhattan.  I get the feel from Tigers fans that they are scared about this one.  They should be.  But for some reason, all of the hype surrounding Kansas State this year has at least alerted them to the danger that is the Wildcats.  Which means the team will be ready.  Will Kansas State be ready? Yes.  Will they lose?  Unfortunately, yes.

So what does the rest of the schedule look like?  Let’s run it down.  They come back down to Earth and beat up UTEP.  Texas Tech is in Manhattan so that’s a Wildcat victory.  That Oklahoma game is a toss up because they are getting overrated too.  I’m going with a loss there.  They will beat Texas and Oklahoma State in Manhattan.  They will beat TCU and West Virginia on the road.  They will roll Kansas.

So that leaves Baylor.  On the road.  Hey guess what?  I’m going to the game!  New stadium.  Last game of the year.  Will it be for the Big 12 title?  I sure hope so.   My guess is that it will have huge implications on the Big 12 title.  That’s good enough for me.  Because I just don’t think Kansas State can keep up with Baylor.

Which means I’m pretty much going chalk this year.  Weak, isn’t it?  That’s what happens when the hype matches where I actually think the team will be, which is about 3rd in the conference with 3 losses.  Now what bowl game that will be,  I don’t know.  I hope it’s close to Austin so I can finally see the Wildcats in a bowl.  But until then, I’ll keep cheering loud and staying proud.  Go Wildcats!

Pick It And Stick It: A November To Remember

November_To_Remember ecw logo

So it started out last week with Oregon tripping on their tails against Stanford.  It’s that time of year again where we’ll start seeing others fall to the wayside.  Heck, even smaller teams have felt the brunt of November.   Just ask Texas Tech.  Who will it be this week?  Baylor? Florida State?  Alabama?  I guess we’ll find out Saturday who will be next. Continue reading Pick It And Stick It: A November To Remember

Kansas State Football Preview 2013: Can The Champ Fall Back?

ksusynder2013

So it’s getting amazingly close to the first whistle of the year and it’s time now that I take a moment and peer into the crystal punch bowl to predict Kansas State’s football season.  I’ve learned alot down here in Austin after living here for a little more than 3 years.  One of the things happens to be pride.   So I’m taking my pride in Kansas State and leaning on that hard coming into this year.  Everyone else says they will fall back down below the middle of the pack.  Is that the case?

Okay so yeah, they lose Heisman runner Collin Klein and a bunch of starters from last year, mostly on defense.  That makes it easy for the naysayers of last year to come back even louder this year and say that the Wildcats will be down.  Why are we even listening to this naysayers, er, sports media types?  Welp, they have the bullhorn by the horn and won’t let go.  They say that no one knows anything about the kids coming in to replace the starters.   Is it that bad?

Well typically when you lose starters, you lose a ton of experience which does count way more college football than in the pros.  So the argument might be pretty tight.  But this is a Bill Snyder coached football team.  He will find a way to get the best out of his youngsters at whatever position he plunks them down at.  How come we’ve never heard of Collin Klein, Darren Sproles, or Michael Bishop before they played Kansas State?  Because they get their name wearing the purple.  The naysayers never predict that.

Yet I couldn’t predict what is happening at the quarterback position.   Going into this year, I thought it was all Daniel Sams.  But then all of the sudden, this Jake Waters kid comes into the picture.  He had a career in the JUCO area not unlike a one Michael Bishop and his name was being talked about amongst the naysayers.  Ruh roh.  Do I smell trouble with this?  Maybe a little.  Coach Snyder announced him as the starter coming into this weekend.  That could mean it’s his all the way or it’s Sams to catch up and take.  I’ll be there at DKR to see who won.

Looking at the schedule, that big conference opening game will tell us alot.  It will tell us just how good the fresh new defense is.  It will tell us who the solid quarterback is.  It will tell us if Kansas State has a shot to repeat.  Thank goodness it’s against Texas.  That bottle is almost empty and the magic is about to run out.  I’m hoping for one more huge squeeze to give a go in my new-ish hometown of Austin.  Before I run down the rest of the schedule, let me talk a bit about the defense.

Yes, they lost a ton of kids.  But they also have some experience coming back, most notably Ty Zimmerman.  I’m not entirely dumb enough to think that the defense will actually be weaker this year, but for some reason I’m thinking it will be enough.  The two quarterback race tells me almost instantly that Kansas State may actually produce as much or even more than last year.  Especially if Waters can really throw.  So, yeah, they can be down on defense but the offense is already in motion to catch up.

No need to talk about the special teams.  It’s the best in the Big 12 period.  Thanks Tyler Lockett.

Now on to the schedule:  The first two games are actually tough.  They get North Dakota State and UL-Lafayette, both fairly tough tiny schools.  If they can come out of that alive, they can take out Umass.  I’m smelling a very heart attack inducing 3-0 start.  Next up is Texas.  They will beat Texas.  I will say that until it stops.  Oklahoma State will be tough and so will Baylor.  Kansas State gets Baylor at home.  Revenge for that one but I think they lose to the Pokes, it’s just too much.  West Virginia will want revenge but I think we take them.  Iowa State will be close as usual and seeing as its at home, I gotta give it to the Wildcats.  Texas Tech has a new coach so I don’t know what to expect.  I will go with Kansas State.  TCU and Oklahoma will beat Kansas State.  There’s too much defense and talent.  Finally, Kansas State beats up on Kansas again.

Final Prediction: 9-3 with a bowl spot again and win to be 10-3

The ones I’m not entirely sure of are Texas and Iowa State.  Those could go either way.  I’m sure I’ll eat crow on one of those.  But for the time being, it looks like the champ will fall back.  Just not as far back as others are claiming.  It’s time for another football season so let’s strap it up, EMAW Nation!

Purple Yeti Roar 79: There’s A NCAA Sea Change Coming

stormywaters

Another week o’ the roar and I’ve landed on a huge takeaway from all of the media days last week: there is a bigger change coming than just the college football playoff next year.  Hop on and watch me discuss that as well as NCAA, Big 12, Kansas State, Kansas, Charlie Weiss, Collin Klein, Jadeveon Clowney, Jay Z, SEC, ACC, Big 10, Pac 12, and Mark Emmert. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 79: There’s A NCAA Sea Change Coming

Purple Yeti Roar 66: The Yeti Is Chained Down

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Hey I’m back from a wonderful weekend of getting locked down by the chains of matrimony.  Feels pretty good.  What else feels good?  College football and to some extent college football news.  News like Jon Bon Jovi, Notre Dame, College Football Playoff, Big 10, SEC, Jim Delany, Big 12, Hulk Hogan, South Florida, Willie Taggart, Arthur Brown, Kansas State, Houston Texans, and Collin Klein. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 66: The Yeti Is Chained Down

Purple Yeti Roar 52: This Year Has Not Been Faked

Manti-teo-Meme

Yup, I’ll talk Manti T’eo here in a second, but it’s a whole new year of the Purple Yeti!  Yeah it’s been good, but it hasn’t been for Manti or more recently Collin Klein.  Look for me talking about that as well as Kansas, Ben Heeney, Kansas State, Shrine Game, Senior Bowl, NFL, Penn State, Al Pacino, Joe Paterno, Charlie Weiss, Oregon, Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles, ESPN, Sporting News, Yahoo Sports, Gawker, and Deadspin Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 52: This Year Has Not Been Faked

Purple Yeti Roar 50: BCS Bust

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Yeah it was a bust of a game for the BCS National Championship.  Notre Dame proved it didn’t belong in any league and Alabama pushed the boot down harder on the neck of college football.  Don’t fret, there were some highlights in between the ho hum week of college bowls.  The highlights include Oregon, Kansas State, Fiesta Bowl, Chip Kelly, Bill Snyder, Collin Klein, Cotton Bowl, Arkansas, Nick Saban, Michigan, South Carolina, Javon Clowny, Outback Bowl, Baylor, Oklahoma, Texas A&M, and Johnny Football. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 50: BCS Bust

Purple Yeti Roar 48: Holiday Edition

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Ho Ho Howdy!  Merry Holiday!  Or what’s left of it.  I’m back after my holiday break to squeeze out another 10 minutes of college football tidings.  This time I talk about Kansas State, Oregon, Fiesta Bowl, Lache Seastrunk, Baylor, UCLA, Heisman Trophy, BYU, UCF, LA Lafayette, Boise State, Fresno State, SMU, EA Sports College Football, Western Kentucky, Central Michigan, Holiday Bowl, Little Caesars Bowl, Bill Snyder, Ohio State, Elle Roberson, Collin Klein, and the Mayan Calendar. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 48: Holiday Edition

Purple Yeti Roar 46: Take A Ride On My Carousel

The regular season is official over.  Now it’s on to bowl season!  But before we get into that, we must get on the annual coaching carousel.  I’ll go over that as well as Kansas State, Big 12, Collin Klein, Mante Te’o, Johnny Manziel, Heisman Trophy, SEC, Tennessee, Arkansas, Bret Bielma, Auburn, Tommy Tuberville, Cincinnati, Mike Gundy, ESPN, Fox, and the BCS. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 46: Take A Ride On My Carousel

Purple Yeti Roar 44: Back For More

I took a turkey day break but now I am back.  I’m done licking my wounds over the Kansas State loss to Baylor and now it’s time to look forward to this weekend of football.  So come with me as I talk about Texas, TCU, Alabama, Georgia, SEC, Big 10, Big 12, Notre Dame, Stanford, Oregon, Louisville, Rutgers, Collin Klein, Texas A&M, Johnny Manziel, Arkansas, Gene Chizik, Colorado, John Embree, John L. Smith, Arkansas, USC, and BCS National Championship. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 44: Back For More

Purple Yeti Roar 43: Number One With A Purple Bullet

I’m having a hard time adjusting to Kansas State’s #1 BCS ranking.  It’s a great but unusual feeling.  I know alot of you aren’t used to it either.  So take a breath and help me cope with the success.  This week I’ll talk about that as well as TCU, Tyler Lockett, Ty Zimmerman, Collin Klein, Oregon, California, Notre Dame, Boston College, Alabama, Texas A&M, SEC, Big 12, Oklahoma, Texas, Iowa State, Darrel K Royal, Baylor, Texas Tech, Kansas, and the BCS. Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 43: Number One With A Purple Bullet

Pick It And Stick It: A Horny Situation

See what I did there? You thought one thing, but it really means something else. You see, I’m talking about the match up between the #2 Kansas State Wildcats and the new Big 12 member TCU Horned Frogs. Get it? I bet you do! Wakka Wakka! At any rate, the Pick It and Stick It is back this weekend and it’s time to break down another week of the ever more dramatic college football season. Let’s hit get to this. Continue reading Pick It And Stick It: A Horny Situation

Purple Yeti Roar 42: Fun Fun Fun Football

Okay so I didn’t watch football this weekend.  I know, it kinda sucks.  But hey, I did get to see some tasty music at Fun Fun Fun Fest.  I make amends by talking about what I missed, which includes Kansas State, Oklahoma State, Collin Klein, Daniel Sams, Texas, Texas Tech, Iowa State, Kansas, Baylor, TCU, Gary Patterson, Bill Snyder, Notre Dame, USC, Pitt, Oregon, Alabama, LSU, Les Miles, Texas A&M, and the BCS Continue reading Purple Yeti Roar 42: Fun Fun Fun Football

Pick It And Stick It: Rolling Down The HIll

People are saying that it’s all down hill from here.  For Kansas State that is.  They put a whuppin’ on West Virginia and now everyone else on schedule will be easy walkings.  Okay so the same people who are saying that were talking up that same West Virginia.  I’m not falling for it.  Most Kansas State fans won’t either.  It’s a new week of college football and it just keeps getting tougher and tougher. Continue reading Pick It And Stick It: Rolling Down The HIll