Bears jumble title chase
WACO, Texas — A week after Kansas State took over the top spot in the BCS standings following defending national champion Alabama’s loss, the Wildcats’ unbeaten run also came to an end Saturday night.
Heisman Trophy front-runner Collin Klein and the Wildcats (10-1, 7-1 Big 12), ranked second in the Associated Press poll, were crushed 52-24 by a Baylor team which entered with a losing record but surged to a 28-7 first-half lead.
“Anger, frustration, obviously disappointment,” said Kansas State tight end Travis Tannahill as he described his feelings afterward. “Confused. We just don’t know what went wrong. We had a good week of practice. We felt prepared, everything we’ve done the last 10 games.”
Baylor’s Glasco Martin ran for three touchdowns, Lache Seastrunk had 185 yards rushing with an 80-yard score and the Bears again upset the BCS picture with a late-season victory.
The Bears (5-5, 2-5) hadn’t beaten an opponent ranked so high since beating No. 2 Tennessee in the Sugar Bowl on New Year’s Day 1957.
Notre Dame, the last unbeaten team not on probation, could get its championship shot after Kansas State and Oregon lost. And the Tide suddenly are back in the title picture, along with a couple of other SEC teams.
Also, Klein’s chances at the Heisman Trophy may have slipped after he matched his season total for interceptions coming in with three while being pressured and harassed all night. He threw for 286 yards and two touchdowns, but had only 39 yards on 17 carries with a score. On 1st-and-goal from the 6 in the fourth quarter, Klein had four straight carries and couldn’t score — twice trying from the 1.
“I don’t know if I would call it getting smacked in the mouth, but they took it to us,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “I really thought we prepared well, but as we found out, we didn’t. I don’t think we handled the situation as well as we should have been able to.”
Nick Florence, Baylor’s successor to Heisman winner Robert Griffin III, completed 20 of 32 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns.
“All week we believed we were going to beat them and if we did we weren’t going to be surprised when it happened,” Florence said.