What We Learned: K-State again has that old Snyder magic

Thu, Nov 12, 2009

Sporting News’ Dave Curtis analyzes what Wednesday’s buzz means to college football.

Bill Snyder has his Wildcats in line for a run to the Big 12 title game.
Snyder saves again

Amid the carnage that doubles as the Big 12’s North Division, we give you this: Kansas State boasts a winning football team again.

With Oklahoma battered, Texas lacking style points and Nebraska showcasing multiple football personalities, Bill Snyder and the Miracles in Manhattan rank as the league’s feel-good story. A Senior Day win Saturday against Missouri, and a triumph the next week over the Cornhuskers, will send the Wildcats to their first Big 12 championship game since 2003. Those are Darren Sproles days, folks.

And while this team lacks the firepower of Snyder’s past teams, they resemble those winners. A bunch of transfers, most from junior colleges, contributing in their first years. A solid rushing attack, this year led by Daniel Thomas’ 1,087 yards and 11 scores. And a team trained to play almost mistake-free football — the ‘09 Cats lead the Big 12 with a plus-11 turnover margin. Not bad for a team that lost to Louisiana-Lafayette back in Week 2.

<img src=”http://www.sportingnews.com/images/153290/article.jpeg” alt=”Daniel Thomas is the toast of Manhattan.” title=”Daniel Thomas is the …