Importance of 4-0

[KSUftw]

Lets be real... 4-0 start will make or break this whole season.  Lets review:

After KSU 4-0 start - UCLA win against a great defense, ISU win who has a better offense then UCLA, but... not as high powered as Nebraska’s, but better practice for our defense. 

After NU 4-0 start - Wins over no one really, so in reality... everything is unproven, but more refined then not playing anyone obviously.

Whys this important....
KSU vs. NU advantages:

Thursday night game - Advantage KSU, first one at home ever, nationally televised, packed house that’s going to be rowdy and rdy to send NU out of the Big 12 remembering us knocking them from Big 12 champ game plus NC discussions. 

Coaches - Advantage KSU, OB is kind of a big deal if you didn't know, he might not have his team winning 10+ games, but everyone knows, if you are playing against OB's, your team better come in focused and prepared 

Talent - Advantage NU, Its obvious that if you look at all skill positions, NU has an advantage minus our slight lead on RB, if this game was at NU, this topic wouldn't be necessary. 

Preparation - Advantage KSU, as stated above, our 4-0 start vs NU's has to account for something 

Verdict:
KSU 

NU 

[Lynch]

Other notable 4-0 Start season.

1993: 9-2-1 Copper Bowl Champs
1994:9-3 Aloha Bowl
1995: 10-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
1996: 9-3 Cotton Bowl
1998:11-2 Alamo Bowl
1999:11-1 Holiday Bowl Champs
2000:11-3 Cotton Bowl Champs
2002: 11-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
2003  11-4 Big 12 Champs

Would be nice to hit Nebraska with that much confidence.   

[KSUftw]

Other notable 4-0 Start season.

1993: 9-2-1 Copper Bowl Champs
1994:9-3 Aloha Bowl
1995: 10-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
1996: 9-3 Cotton Bowl
1998:11-2 Alamo Bowl
1999:11-1 Holiday Bowl Champs
2000:11-3 Cotton Bowl Champs
2002: 11-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
2003  11-4 Big 12 Champs

Would be nice to hit Nebraska with that much confidence.   

This even adds to my point, other notables if we lose this weekend or go 3-1:
2005: 5-6
2006: 7-6 Texas bowl loss
2007: 5-7
2008: 5-7

 

[Lynch]

Other notable 4-0 Start season.

1993: 9-2-1 Copper Bowl Champs
1994:9-3 Aloha Bowl
1995: 10-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
1996: 9-3 Cotton Bowl
1998:11-2 Alamo Bowl
1999:11-1 Holiday Bowl Champs
2000:11-3 Cotton Bowl Champs
2002: 11-2 Holiday Bowl Champs
2003  11-4 Big 12 Champs

Would be nice to hit Nebraska with that much confidence.   

This even adds to my point, other notables if we lose this weekend or go 3-1:
2005: 5-6
2006: 7-6 Texas bowl loss
2007: 5-7
2008: 5-7

 

this is true. However I do see this team as more of a 2006 instead of a 2004 or 2005 team.  The thing that got us in 2007 was the loss to OSU. The team never recovered after that loss and RP was a horrible motivator and couldn't get their heads straight.

[KSU78]

I dunno... I have seen a lot of K-State football games. This team has the chemistry to be a great football team. Years ago, after beating I-State in drenching downpour, I heard a giddy wildcat coach say, "Look where we are at. We've got 44 juniors and seniors coming back next year... and some day when everything lines up just right, we will compete for a national championship". Who knows? EMAW happens.

[tyler]

After KSU 4-0 start - UCLA win against a great defense.

Let's be real.  A team that gave up 31 to kstate on the road (not a knock on your offense, just that they gave up 31 points to anyone) and then lost 35-0 the next week to Stanford at home does not have a "great" defense.  They rank 104th in the nation in scoring defense.  Other than that, yes I agree you guys have a great shot to unthrone the most football arrogant fanbase this side of the Mississippi on that thursday night, and I will be cheering for you guys to do it too.  I would love to see them leave with at least a one game losing streak against every team in the North.

[KSUftw]

After KSU 4-0 start - UCLA win against a great defense.

Let's be real.  A team that gave up 31 to kstate on the road (not a knock on your offense, just that they gave up 31 points to anyone) and then lost 35-0 the next week to Stanford at home does not have a "great" defense.  They rank 104th in the nation in scoring defense.  Other than that, yes I agree you guys have a great shot to unthrone the most football arrogant fanbase this side of the Mississippi on that thursday night, and I will be cheering for you guys to do it too.  I would love to see them leave with at least a one game losing streak against every team in the North.

Ya, thats true and I took that into consideration.  Before they played us, their safety Moore scared the crap out of me.  Plus, I am not sure if their top LB was an all american like Moore, but Ayers had a solid 2009 campaign.  It wasn't the 2009 defense, but to the point of the post, hopefully compared to the other two cupcakes we play, it gets us ready for ISU, then ISU+UCLA defenses should get us semi prepared for NU's O.

[Lynch]

One obstical left before we go 4-0. It will be nice to have that week of in preperation for Nebraska.  OR IS IT!

Here is how the Cats did after bye weeks for the past 8 years.
2002- Colorado L
2003- # 5 Texas L
2004- Texas A&M L
2005- North Texas W
2006- No BYE Week
2007- Texas W
2008- Louisville (Wed Game) L
2009- No BYE Week


on years we have had Bye weeks since 2002 we are 2-4 the following game.

[KSUftw]

One obstical left before we go 4-0. It will be nice to have that week of in preperation for Nebraska.  OR IS IT!

Here is how the Cats did after bye weeks for the past 8 years.
2002- Colorado L
2003- # 5 Texas L
2004- Texas A&M L
2005- North Texas W
2006- No BYE Week
2007- Texas W
2008- Louisville (Wed Game) L
2009- No BYE Week


on years we have had Bye weeks since 2002 we are 2-4 the following game.

Did some quick research  ... no not really, but how many of those games above were on a Thursday night.... Exactly!  This bye week is exactly what we need!   

[wildcat79]

Just for the record.I think the UCLA victory is looking a little larger after they stomped the long horns on their own field this weekend. 31 - 10. Last long horn touch down was a gimme at games end. Match ups matter. We could do well against Nebraska next week. I think KSU rises to the ocassion next week.

[ksutrumpet]

this 4-0 start is much more important imho than the W/L that will come on thursday.  In the long run the schedule is only going to get harder and wins will become more hard to come by.  The 4-0 start gives this team the cushion that it needs to grow and begin competing again.  Is a win next thursday huge for the program, yes. but a loss will not have the same effect that it could have if we were 3-1, 2-2, 1-3. Can't win every battle but you can still win the war, that's the opportunity 4-0 gives us.