In my opinion, the reason why K-State fans are constantly obsessing over KU is because you guys know that in the blink of an eye, things can swing the other direction. Look no further than the '03 to '04 seasons, where K-State went from Big 12 champs to 4-7 (with a loss in Lawrence). I see some similarities from that season to this upcoming year. K-State will have to replace a bunch of playmakers on defense and the heart of its offense. Weis and KU were very close to beating Texas and Texas Tech last year, and also came within a TD of beating a pretty good Oklahoma State team (insert joke about moral victories here). Deep down inside, K-State fans know that KU has capable athletes (Sims, Pierson, Heaps, McCay, Combs), and an offense that could be really good if given the right coaching. K-State fans have now convinced themselves that the program is now just some well-oiled machine that will dominate everyone for the next decade, but I think you might be in for a rude awakening if that's your expectation.
I'll readily admit KU has capable athletes, but of the 5 you listed, only 2 have ever shown on the field they're capable. Pierson and Sims are legitimately very good backs. That other kid who transferred prior to last year was another very good back. But in college, good running backs are a dime a dozen. I'm taking a wait and see approach with Heaps, McCay and Combs.
I don't obsess over KU. I take interest in just how bad KU has been over the last few years because it's quickly approaching a historical status - if KU goes 0 fer again in conference this year, they tie turn of the century Baylor for the longest losing streak in Big 12 history. The not having won a road conference game since W was in office is also interesting. I hope K-State beats KU every year because they're our rival and it's fun to hate your rival and it's fun to beat your rival, especially when your rival is a great college basketball power house.
Regarding KU: there will be years in the future where KU will rise up and have a mediocre year, and every once in a while, have a great year like '07, because that's just how things go. I don't think those years are coming up for KU, because I think Weis is a loser at the college level, but who knows.
I wouldn't say K-State's program is some "well oil-machine," but it's about as strong as its ever been, even at the height of the "DOD." Snyder won't be around forever, but I'm confident that Athletic Department will be much more conservative about its hire the next go around, and by that I mean, it's going to be somebody in the Snyder tree. I'm convinced that's the only way games can be won at a Kansas school - the Snyder way. So if it's Del, or whomever (save for Sean), they will have coached under Bill and hopefully will have learned enough about the way he's done it to transition K-State into the next era.
When Bill retires, the program will certainly be at a crossroads, but anyone afraid that things are going to permanently swing in the other direction is kidding themselves. K-State will simply not accept football being poor, whereas KU has shown they will. K-State fans and the administration make football the head honcho in the AD, and for that reason alone, K-State football is here to stay. Maybe not at an elite level year in and year out, but certainly at a "good level."
TLDR: KU will continue to be consistently mediocre at best and K-State will be consistently mediocre at worst because K-State takes football seriously and KU doesn't.
