Bill Snyder points in the direction of better times. (Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

By Zac Ellis

Kansas State coach Bill Snyder doesn’t like what he’s seeing in college athletics, which he says is “in a bad place right now.” In an interview with Kansas City’s 610 Sports Radio KCSP, Snyder said his departure from coaching football may “not [be] too far away” because of how money-driven the culture has become.

Snyder, the architect behind Kansas State’s success, signed a new five-year contract worth $14.75 million in January. He believes it’s another sign of the current problem in college sports. “I can only speak personally,” Snyder said. “I’m grossly overpaid for what I do. That’s part of what creates the issue.”

Read More…

Everybody who wants to see the national championship trophy filled with marzipan, thumbs up! (AP)

Saturday games of varying degrees of interest, grouped in highly subjective categories. For more in-depth preview content, visit Andy Staples’ Walkthrough.

• Biggest game we feel like we couldn’t predict if our lives depended on it: No. 3 Kansas State at TCU, 7:00 p.m. ET. We’re still harboring a dream that seemed far-fetched just a few short weeks ago, a dream inspired by Tom Fornelli suggesting that if Bill Snyder takes home the crystal football this year, he’ll break it in half and make two hard candy dishes. The ‘Cats, at 9-0, are one of six undefeated teams remaining in FBS play. No gimme games remain, but then again, they haven’t played a gimme game since Oct. 6 against Kansas. In their past three outings, they’ve beaten three ranked opponents by a combined score of 154-68.

The Horned Frogs, no slouches on defense, will pose a greater threat to K-State’s undefeated season if the Wildcats take the field without starting quarterback Collin Klein. The Heisman frontrunner’s status for Saturday has been carefully guarded almost since the moment of his injury during last week’s game against Oklahoma State. It’s entirely possible we could see this contest played out without either team fielding the quarterbacks that topped the depth charts at the year’s outset. Only one thing is for certain: This will be the purplest football contest of the regular season.

Read More…

• Baby Mangino, you had a hell of a run. You achieved internet glory and are surely a robust and take-no-prisoners schoolchild by now. We wish you all the best, and must now pass your mantle to another:

Best Halloween costume ever #ThrowbackThursday #kstate twitpic.com/b59y5x

— D. Scott Fritchen (@DScottFritchen) October 18, 2012

• No. 2 Oregon 43, Arizona State 21. Stewart Mandel took in last night’s carnage in Tempe:

For exactly three plays Thursday, No. 2 Oregon looked mortal. On second down of the Ducks’ first possession, the quarterback fumbled. One play later, Arizona State quarterback Taylor Kelly threw a 28-yard touchdown.

“I don’t know if there can be a worst start,” said Oregon defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti. “And then we decided that maybe, possibly we wanted to play today.”

Read More…

• And now, an hour-long Oregon Trail video dedicated to the Red River Shootout. Would we lie to you, dearest readers?

• Every Game Counts, for some very curious values of “every.” The first cooing batch of freshly-hatched BCS standings was waiting on our doorstep yesterday evening, along with a note from Bill Hancock: ”The release of the first BCS weekly standings always creates great excitement for college football fans. Even though there are still almost two months to go in the regular season, everyone loves to talk about the standings and make projections for the postseason. Whether your favorite team is trying to qualify for a bowl game or trying to make it all the way to the National Championship Game, every game is going to count.” In related news, Texas will never not be ranked in the initial BCS standings, as long as we all shall live.

Ah, first BCS standings, a testament to nonsense math, Arrow’s paradox and secretary voters, brought to you by free golf for commissioners

— Dan Wetzel (@DanWetzel) October 15, 2012

We would like to declare our allegiance at this time to the idea of Kansas State winning a national title, because Bill Snyder hoisting a crystal football would bring joy to even the most pitted of hearts, from sea to shining sea.

Read More…

Tracking the zeitgeist of college football’s second weekend through social media:

MAMA! COME ON INSIDE! ONE OF THESE UTAH TEAMS BOUT TO PUNT! CAN’T MISS THAT!

— Jason Kirk (@JasonKirkSBN) September 8, 2012

ACC MISSED THE BOAT ON UTAH.

— THE KEY PLAY (@thekeyplay) September 8, 2012

Special Teams Coach Beehive was a sentimental hire from the start for Utah. Won’t save his job after this game. (Plus: is beehive.)

— edsbs (@edsbs) September 8, 2012

@andy_staples @ben_jones88 We’re still getting our shirts and ties pressed at 9 am.We’re not Juggalos.

— Bobby Big Wheel (@BobbyBigWheel) September 8, 2012

Read More…