On Thursday, the Kansas State Wildcats from the Big 12 face the Oregon Ducks out of the Pac-12 in the Fiesta Bowl. The Oregon Ducks are favored to defeat Kansas State in the game. Can the Wildcats keep this game close?

Rickey: The Fiesta Bowl is KSU’s national championship. It is also the National Championship that everyone was expecting when Oregon and Kansas State were #1 and #2. The Wildcats stand a chance, but it will not be an easy game. The Ducks have a high-flying offense and have shown that they can put up points. If the Wildcats want to win, they will need a great game from Collin Klein.

George: Kansas State has a great chance to win the game. Both teams will be looking to avenge losses to Baylor and Stanford late in the season when all signs pointed to a national championship between the two teams. Kansas State will need to slow down the high-powered Ducks offense, and keep up with quarterback Collin Klein. The game should be a highly competitive contest between two elite teams.

Jan 1st., 2013; Manhattan, KS, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Collin Klein (7) will look to keep his team in the game vs Oregon’s high powered offense on Thursday. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports

Each week, the staff at Through the Phog will react on the previous day’s games in Big 12 football and other news that happens in the conference. We are always welcoming of comments that you might have on the topics covered each week. Our current staff includes lead editor George Pike, along with staff writer, Ricky Widmer. 

Just one week after “escaping” defeat against LSU, the Crimson Tide came home to play the Texas A&M Aggies. The Aggies did what LSU could not and defeated Alabama 29-24.

Due to the Alabama loss, there is now a brand new #1 and #2 in the BCS. The two teams that are now #1 and #2 are Kansas State and Oregon. So, does this mean that everything is all set for a KSU-Oregon National Championship?

November 10, 2012; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Texas A

Yes and no. This is because of the remaining schedule for both the Wildcats and the Ducks. Everyone can certainly agree that both of these teams control their own destiny.

Both Kansas State and Oregon have two regular season games left to play this season. KSU still needs to play Baylor and #15 Texas while Oregon needs to play #13 Stanford and #16 Oregon State. The Wildcats will have no problems with Baylor and should get past Texas, but that question is not so easy for Oregon.

Now, many people would say that #2 Oregon will not have problems against Stanford or Oregon State, but they are two games with a lot of emotions. This is because the game against Stanford is for the Pac-12 North title. It is for sure that the winner of the Oregon-Stanford game will play in the Pac-12 Championship.

Also, the game against Oregon State is a “Civil War.” The last time Oregon played Oregon State on the road was in 2010 (last time they went to the National Championship). In that 2010 meeting, Oregon State might have lost, but they scored first and only lost by 17. Biggest difference this year it that this Oregon State team is ranked and much better than they were in 2010.

We will all see what happens, but we are looking at a Kansas State-Oregon National Championship at this point. Nobody knows how things will turn out, but it seems like all systems are a go for KSU and Oregon.

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Check out my other writings on the Oregon Ducks blog, Autzen Zoo.

Oct 13, 2012; Lawrence, KS, USA; Kansas Jayhawks halfback James Sims (29) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown in the second half against the Oklahoma State Cowboys at Memorial Stadium. Oklahoma State won the game 20-14. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-US PRESSWIRE

James Sims has been the spark plug for a terrible Kansas team this season.

Sims has rushed for 748 yards on 150 carries and has six rushing touchdowns. He missed Kansas’ first three games against South Dakota State, Rice, and TCU due to an injury.

Since his first game against Northern Illinois, Sims has looked like he hasn’t missed a beat.

During his last five games, Sims has hit the century mark in rushing yards. His best games came against Oklahoma State (138 yards and one touchdown) and Texas (176 yards) while his “worst” game came against Northern Illinois (91 yards and two touchdowns).

The Through the Phog staff asks the question, should James Sims receive more national attention and does Kansas’ record  have anything to do with this?

George: Sims is the best player on the team. He is putting up great numbers and does deserve more attention, but with Kansas losing game after game, this isn’t going to happen.

Ricky: I do believe James Sims should receive more national attention, but is not because of Kansas’ 1-8 record this season. I compare this to the likes of Kenjon Barner of Oregon. Barner has also rushed for at least 100-yards in his last five games (including 321 yards against the USC Trojans).

However, the Ducks are successful and winning while the Jayhawks are unsuccessful and losing. If Kansas was 8-1 and not 1-8, then Sims would receive the attention he deserves.

(Disclaimer: I am not saying James Sims is better than Kenjon Barner.)

Each week, the staff at Through the Phog will react on the previous day’s games in Big 12 football and other news that happens in the conference. We are always welcoming of comments that you might have on the topics covered each week. Our current staff includes lead editor George Pike, along with staff writer, Ricky Widmer.