Something Special in the Little Apple

Don’t look now but Kansas State is marching to an appearance in the BCS title game. The Wildcats (8-0) are second in the BCS standings behind Alabama.

If you enjoy wide-open football, Kansas State isn’t your pleasure. If you appreciate a blue collar approach that stresses solid defense and limited turnovers, then the Wildcats are a delight.

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder will never coach sexy football. He will never draw attention to himself. He will never attractive a stable-full of blue-chip athletes to Manhattan, Kansas—known as the Little Apple. But what Snyder will do is win plenty of football games.

Snyder is 167-83-1 in his 21st year at Kansas State. The guy retired once and then came back for a second stint in 2009. Coaching twice at the same school is a rarity but it fits Snyder.

The 73-year-old doesn’t look like a coach but rather a high school teacher. His players enjoy playing for a guy who is a disciplinarian. He models his program after former Iowa football coach Hayden Fry who Snyder served under for a number of years as offensive coordinator. For example, have you noticed the Kansas State uniforms? They are exactly like Iowa uniforms except for the color scheme and logo.

Kansas State has a fairly favorable schedule the rest of the way. The Wildcats have home games remaining with Oklahoma State and Texas and road games with TCU and Baylor. They also benefit with no Big 12 Conference Championship game.

But can Kansas State function as a hunted team? Don’t count Snyder and his disciplined Wildcats out. They aren’t looking for style points just hard-working victories.

Goods News in Iowa

Some days it doesn’t take much to bring happiness. The Des Moines Register’s decision to return Marc Hansen to his sports columnist role would fit that category.

Hansen was the Register’s columnist from 1981-2001. The guy can simply write. He left sports to spend more time with his family and moved to a general columnist spot

Because we don’t have major professional sports in this state, Hansen will focus his coverage on Iowa, Iowa State, Northern Iowa and Drake.

Hansen won’t have former Iowa football coach Hayden Fry to spar with anymore. The two used to battle over Hansen’s questions and words sometimes. It will be interesting to see if Hansen and present Iowa football coach Kirk Ferentz will play nice. Ferentz is much more laid back than his former boss, but he mirrors Fry in wanting to maintain control.

Hansen should receive a warm welcome at Iowa State. He should have good relationships with football coach Paul Rhoads and basketball coach Fred Hoiberg. I find it hard to believe that Hansen would ever get into it with Hoiberg. It seems everybody loves Hoiberg (nicknamed "The Mayor").

I knew Hansen a little bit in my previous life. He’s a good guy. He will do a great job in his returned role. And I look forward to reading his words.