Bold Predictions: K-State Will Be An AP Poll Vote Getter On Sunday

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

Well, I had my first whiff of the season against TCU last week. After successfully predicting the Baylor score, a game by Daniel Sams, Ryan Mueller winning Defensive Player of the Week, and a demolition of Texas Tech, I went out on a limb and said TCU would be held to 300 yards by K-State’s defense. I was wrong. Granted, it wasn’t bad – the Horned Frogs only managed 348 yards – but I’ll be the bigger man and say I missed. That’s behind me though, and this is why I don’t care: K-State will be one of America’s top-30 rated teams come Sunday night.

The crux of this prediction is that K-State defeats Oklahoma – another loss won’t improve the team’s national standing. However, assuming K-State wins its second straight over the Sooners (and I’m willing to occupy that limb), the next step is a return to the national rankings.

There were six teams that also received votes this week, making a pool of 31 total programs recognized in the AP. Aside from Georgia, no one’s racked up an impressive wins (although Texas’s demolition of Oklahoma may count). Polls don’t necessarily reflect the season’s achievements – they’re more of a ‘what have you done for me lately?’ endeavor. And this is what K-State has done lately: five straight wins in Big 12 play (including the Oklahoma game), two of which came against teams that were ranked at the time K-State beat them. At least three were blow outs. Yes, style points matter. The Wildcats will stand at 7-4 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12. And while that doesn’t carry as much weight in 2013 as it traditionally does, this is a team on a roll. It’s gaining national exposure as commentators agree this team is more dangerous than Texas right now, and could probably take down Oklahoma State if that game was replayed (especially on a neutral field rather than in Stillwater). So check you AP Poll listings Sunday night – I expect to see a Wildcat cameo.