The uncertain playing status of Kansas State quarterback Collin Klein for Saturday's game against TCU has done nothing to hamper the Frogs' preparations for the Wildcats.
TCU (6-3, 3-3 in Big 12) has enough to worry about with the No. 2 team in the BCS rankings regardless of whether or not the Wildcats' Heisman Trophy candidate plays.
"Collin Klein is a really good player but I tell you, the offensive line is maybe the best in the Big 12 that we've seen up to this point," TCU head coach Gary Patterson said. "Their wide receivers definitely don't get enough credit. They can run. They can make plays. Their running back is faster than he was last year. You've got to get ready for those other 20-something guys that do a great job, that have made Collin Klein a very good player. It's the same offense no matter."
Kansas State head coach Bill Snyder wouldn't elaborate on the injury to Klein during Monday's Big 12 conference coaches call.
One report said Klein suffered a concussion in Saturday's 44-30 victory over Oklahoma State. Klein left the game in the third quarter and didn't have his helmet, which is consistent with how teams handle players with head injuries.
Just don't expect to hear that from Snyder, who was short and sweet with his observations on Klein's playing status.
"Seems fine to me," said Snyder when asked how Klein was feeling. As for whether or not he'll play Saturday, Snyder said he hopes so.
If Klein can't play, Daniel Sams will get the start and Patterson said he thinks the Wildcats will go with the same system.
Whether or not Klein plays won't change the importance of the game. At No. 2 in the BCS rankings, Kansas State is the highest-ranked team to play at Amon G. Carter Stadium since the Frogs hosted No. 2 Texas in 1970. The last time TCU played a team ranked as high as No. 2 was in 2008 when they played Oklahoma.
If the stakes weren't high enough, there will also be added emotion for Patterson. He graduated from Kansas State, where he played linebacker and safety, and was also a graduate assistant.
Now his Frogs have a chance to wreck the national title hopes of the Wildcats (9-0, 6-0). It's something Patterson admits he has mixed emotions about.
"As an alumnus I'm very proud," said Patterson, who is 13-8 against ranked teams as a head coach. "I think I have maybe the same problem some of my friends do. For three hours when they get here Saturday I've got to find a way to beat them. They've (his friends) got to hate me and then we become friends when the game's over with. I'm really proud to see how they're doing. I'm very impressed with their football team. They're one of those teams that come right at you. They make you say no mas."
