Closing Argument for Wildcats

Kansas State’s High Noon showdown ends today in the town square, all hands poised on holsters.

Wildcats, meet your schedule maker.

Coach Bill Snyder’s strategy to plot a course to the national title through nonconference pushovers may yet prove ingenious should Kansas State (11-0) defeat Texas A&M; (10-2) in the Big 12 title game and earn a trip to the Jan. 4 Fiesta Bowl.

The theory is, “Why play tough teams if you don’t have to?”

In fact, had bowl bigwigs not tinkered with the system this year by tossing a strength-of-schedule component into the new pot-luck title formula, Kansas State would be sitting pretty.

The Wildcats can argue that, with the Rose Bowl already joining the alliance, there was no need to incorporate a computer system to all but assure a No. 1-vs.-No. 2 matchup.

Under last year’s rules, in which the top two schools in a combined writers’ and coaches’ poll were supposed to meet for the title--a plan undermined by No. 1 Michigan having to play in the Rose Bowl--Kansas State could have expected to clinch a spot in the title game with a win over Texas A&M.;

Check today’s poll rankings:

The Wildcats, playing the 62nd-toughest schedule in the country, are No. 1 in the ESPN/USA Today coaches’ poll and No. 2 in the Associated Press writers’ poll.

Under the old rules, despite its No. 7 schedule rank, an unbeaten UCLA would be shut out of the Fiesta Bowl because the Bruins are No. 3 in both polls.

Kansas State’s plan to schedule thin and win big, however, might be undercut by the first-year bowl championship series rankings, which penalize schools for playing a weak schedule.

Thus, the Wildcats are No. 3 in the BCS rankings, trailing No. 2 UCLA by 1.28 points and No. 1 Tennessee by 1.32.

In the new world BCS order, defeating Texas A&M; might not be enough for Kansas State.

“I think the only thing we really have any opportunity to have any impact on is the outcome,” Snyder said of today’s game.

If not for this BCS, Snyder might have orchestrated a clear-shot, least-resistance campaign to the top. After walloping three nonconference foes by the sum of 201-14, Kansas State, unquestionably talented, did not face a tough challenge until consecutive November games against good-but-not-great Nebraska and Missouri.

Neither outcome was decided until the fourth quarter. The Kansas State defense, bullet-proof against mediocre competition, gave up more than 800 yards in the two games.

Kansas State catches another break today, though. Randy McCown, Texas A&M;’s starting quarterback, will sit out because of a broken left collarbone.

The Aggies were already reeling after a 26-24 loss last week to archrival Texas.

Texas A&M; once seemed the greatest threat to stop Kansas State, but even the Aggies’ vaunted defense is suspect after giving up 259 rushing yards to Texas’ Ricky Williams.

Aggie Coach R.C. Slocum preferred to credit Williams and Texas rather than blame his defense for last week’s letdown.

“I don’t think anyone should be embarrassed we lost a road conference game by two points,” Slocum said. “We’re going forward, we’re picking up the pieces and looking forward to the road ahead of us.”

There is plenty left at stake. The winner of the Big 12 title game is guaranteed a spot in a $12-million BCS bowl.

Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop, who might pose a greater threat to the Texas A&M; defense than Williams, said he expects to take the Aggies’ best shot.

“I know they’ll come out pumped up, ready to make big plays and hopefully force some turnovers,” Bishop said. “But that’s part of the game. You’ve got to expect that from a team that just came off a loss. You’ve got to expect them to come in with a determination to win the game.”