Four for the weekend: K-State, Mizzou, KU and the AL MVP
The Kansas City Star
So Kansas State is playing what is effectively a national championship quarterfinal game tomorrow night in Waco, which means we all might as well get used to stereotype-heavy and strangely messaged stories like this. Collin Klein is on the Sports Illustrated cover, Bill Snyder should be coach of the year, and the largest fan base in college football is, in some cases literally, praying for a K-State loss tomorrow or in two weeks against Texas.
I’m headed to Waco to see it, and I know the stat about this being the location of K-State’s last loss to a Texas team, and I understand that college football can be especially unpredictable this time of year, it’s a night game on the road, but I also understand that Baylor has given up 42, 70, 49, 56 and 42 points to the best five teams on its schedule.
I just don’t think K-State is going to lose.
Our other two local colleges have (less) interesting games as well.
Missouri can salvage a bowl appearance by beating Syracuse at home on Saturday, which would at least dampen the criticism of Gary Pinkel that’s been building this season. Mizzou will be without star d-tackle Sheldon Richardson, and Syracuse, of course, beat Louisville last week so this isn’t the gimme it once appeared.
Kansas plays its final home game of the season, honoring Bradley McDougald and the rest of a senior class that’s been through something like college football hell. Charlie Weis is “paying” for every student’s ticket, and it would be a nice gesture from KU fans to show up for a group of seniors who stuck around when they’ve had every reason to transfer.
The AL MVP votes are in and, as expected, Miguel Cabrera beat Mike Trout. I didn’t have an MVP vote, but would’ve gone with Trout because I think he had the better all-around season — slightly less of a hitter, but a runaway winner defensively and on the bases.
That said, the condescension from both sides is one of sports’ ugly and tired sides. A vote for Cabrera doesn’t make someone an ignorant rube terrified of statistics any more than a vote for Trout makes someone a fun-sponging math nerd who thinks baseball achievement can only be found through a calculator.
I know not everyone on either side is doing this, but there’s enough that it’s past the point of silliness. Shut up, the both of you.
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