Another week, another win for Bil Snyder's Kansas State Wildcats. However, it's also clear that the national media like K-State enough to rank them but not nearly enough to consider them a real shot at the national title. The Wildcats are 3-0 after another victory this week -- this time over North Texas -- but K-State remains a team that is largely considered a group of overachievers. In short, they need a statement win.
The good news is that they will get their chance this Saturday against the Oklahoma Sooners. Bob Stoops has his team at No. 6 in the country and they are also the top ranked Big 12 program in the latest AP Top 25. The SEC has three teams in the top five, so it's clear where the most respect is at on a national scale, but the Big 12 is deep and very, very good and a strong showing against the team will definitely sound the alarms for Kansas State's viability as a title hopeful.
Of course, the Wildcats cannot come out as flat against the Sooners as they did against North Texas. If they do, then they don't stand a chance anyway. However, Snyder knows what is at stake this week as well as anyone and the storied coach will have his players ready to play and disciplined from the outset.
Even after the North Texas game, players like Tyler Lockett were already speaking out about the big game ahead, so perhaps K-State was a bit too anxious and looking up-field, metaphorically speaking, against North Texas to look sharp. If so, then that only builds the momentum toward next week's Big 12 showdown.
If K-State has a decent showing in a loss, then expect the Wildcats to continue to bounce from No. 10 to 25 for the rest of the season depending on how it plays out. But if they really want to crack the BCS party and warrant some national attention, the Sooners will have to put one in the loss column next Saturday.
For more on Kansas State, check out Bring On The Cats for analysis and discussion.