This evening’s game between Kansas State and Missouri has a lot riding on it. Besides the fact that both teams have started conference play 1-2 and need to get things rolling, only the winner will still be in a position to control their own destiny in the conference. Right now, the only team in the conference with a real shot to go undefeated through the season is Kansas. Colorado has shot out of the gate but I don’t see them making it out with no loses. Texas and Texas A&M are in that same category; good but not going without at least 2 losses. If that hold true, the title goes through that hated town to the east. Continue reading for why that isn’t the end of the world.
It might be a stretch but hear me out. Tonight’s game winner will have a 2-2 conference record with 2 games against Kansas still ahead. If that team can win out, including the two against KU, they take the championship. Not only that, but they would be a lock for the tournament. I’m not nuts so I know that’s a HUGE if, but it would still be a better place to be than the loser. That team starts 1-3 in conference and even if they won the rest of their games, including the 2 KU games, they’re most likely gonna need help. I can see 14-2 in conference taking the regular season championship. Every loss over 2 makes it harder and harder.
The other reason this isn’t completely nuts to think about is that both Missouri and Kansas State are teams with enough talent and coaching to make that sort of an insane run through the conference. If either one catches fire, watch out. It might be wishful thinking but at least we can all agree that Kansas State needs to come out on top tonight which is going to be hard. Go Cats!