On television he plays a star panelist on The Drive, but Tim Fitzgerald’s bread and butter is covering Kansas State athletics for GoPowercat.com. He’ll be joining us on KUSports.com and LJWorld.com for a chat Friday at 2:30 p.m. to discuss this weekend’s Sunflower Showdown between Kansas and Kansas State at Memorial Stadium – a game which has hefty postseason implications for both parties involved.

Moderator

Hello and welcome to this week’s live chat, my name is Ryan Greene, editor of KUSports.com. Today it’s my pleasure to welcome in Tim Fitzgerald of GoPowercat.com. Tim also gains celebrity with his supreme panelist skills on The Drive, which airs on Channel 6 Sundays at 10:30 p.m. Tim, thanks for joining us today, it’s great to have you here.

Tim Fitzgerald

Good to be here.

Moderator

Obviously, this weekend’s Sunflower Showdown between KU and K-State has serious postseason implications on both sides. Are you surprised that’s the case with where both of these teams were roughly a month ago?

Tim Fitzgerald

I knew this game would be important for both teams, but also am a little surprised that both have gotten into such a good groove lately. Playing Iowa State and Colorado back-to-back can do that for you, though. Some thought this game would be a return to the Toilet Bowl days, but it is far from that now.

Moderator

Well lets get to some questions from our readers. There were plenty of them submitted, which is an indication of just how much this game means to the state of Kansas.

HAWKS1

How much of a fluke do you feel the K-State win over Texas was? I believe had Colt McCoy not been injured, Texas would have had no difficulty beating KSU. Do you agree? Stuff happens and you have to go with it, but, it still decided the game. Despite the big win over Texas, I still think KU has a great shot at beating KSU since we have had 2 weeks preparation and we are healthier than we’ve been for a long time. It seems like Coach Snyder always was the one who had the two weeks prior to our game to prepare. It is nice that we have the extra time for a change. Your thoughts? Thanks!! Greg

Tim Fitzgerald

It’s good that both schools like talking football at the same time. There have not been many years that can be said in this rivalry.

Tim Fitzgerald

I don’t think it was a fluke, but it proves that you have to play the games (a good reminder for confident Cat fans). McCoy didn’t come into the game hurt or fall off the bus, he was injured by a hard hit. And he didn’t play defense or special teams. K-State did score 45 points. As far as a week off, I have never been convinced that it helps or hurts a team. K-State had a lot of big losses under Snyder after off weeks.

tolson12

Will Figurs play?

Tim Fitzgerald

He’s listed as questionable, but my guess is yes. K-State is banged up but everyone wants to play if they can.

shannyvan1

Was Josh Freeman recruited by the Jayhawks?

Tim Fitzgerald

Not sure. I know it came down to Nebraska and Missouri before Prince, who had recruited Freeman for Virginia, came to K-State.

Moderator

Speaking of Nebraska, he was obviously committed to the Huskers before Prince’s arrival. What was that Nebraska game like for Freeman? Did you see that as a big growing experience to go into a game like that and face some serious adversity?

Tim Fitzgerald

I am amazed at how Nebraska – fans, coaches and their broadcasters – is obsessed with Josh Freeman. You would have thought that he wasn’t just a committed recruit, but had been enrolled in Lincoln for years before being kidnapped by Ron Prince. The thing about Josh is he’s so level-headed, you cannot believe he’s a true freshman. Nothing much seems to bother him.

cellogrl

Hi Tim! This is Alexis Jones! Long time, no see. Anyway, I was just wondering, what is your prediction for the game this weekend? I know that many have said that this may be a coin toss, but I would like to know if we are just being idealistic. Do you see one team just runnning over the other?

Tim Fitzgerald

One team could win easily, but there was a time when the Wildcats were simply physically dominant in this series. That’s not true now. I do see K-State winning because this is a very confident team right now that is radically different than the one that played Missouri four weeks ago. But I think this will be a hard-fought game. Thanks for the question.

tolson12

Do you think KSU will stick with the aggresive play calling we saw against Texas?

Tim Fitzgerald

I doubt it, unless the game turns a little wild. Coach Prince does whatever he needs to do in a game. My guess is bold and daring will go back on the shelf in favor of a controlled run/pass balanced attack that the Cats used in wins over OSU, CU and ISU.

BABBOY

Zac Diles and Brandon Archer get the bulk of tackles at linebacker, what other linebackers play a role in KSU’s defense and who will replace them when the leave next year?

Tim Fitzgerald

Good question. Reggie Walker is the third linebacker and is an active and aggressive true sophomore. Antwon Moore (43) is used a lot in speciality packages and Justin Roland played a lot versus Texas. Also, true freshman John Houlik has been used. K-State would also like to add one or two jucos LBs.

Moderator

Speaking of recruiting, I’ve got to say I’ve been very impressed with Prince’s ability to get right in and take a dominant role in recruiting in-state. By getting guys like Dee Bell, Justin Woods and a couple of linemen from KCMO, do you feel that in-state recruiting is something Prince wants to establish as a top priority?

Tim Fitzgerald

Prince and Snyder are much different about recruiting and in-state recruiting. Prince likes to push the process and recruit on junior video and summer camp evaluations, Snyder almost always wanted to see senior video. It’s interesting that some of the kids in Kansas who seemed like reaches when offered by Prince and now clearly D-I talents. Prince wants to be aggressive in recruiting and limit the number of talented in-state players signing with other schools.

The_Vock

The Texas victory may have wiped out the fear and loathing that Kansas State fans have been experiencing since the season they won the Big 12 title. It hasn’t been an easy go for them. It wasn’t too long before that conference title that they were ranked in the top three of the nation. What happened out west in Manhattan? Take us through, if you will, the factors and events that have caused the program that was once a title contender to now a marginal bowl game attendee.

Tim Fitzgerald

There was a drop in talent based on two factors, I believe. One, K-State stopped getting its pick of top juco players because Coach Snyder proved you could win at the highest levels with these players and juco recruiting got very competitive. Also, players such as Nick Reid would have worn purple in the past, but Coach Mangino got aggressive in his in-state recruiting and did a very good job. That seems like something Prince wants to correct. Also, K-State won a lot on special teams and speed during Snyder’s bowl run. This is a faster K-State team that makes things happen in special teams than Snyder’s final two. A win Saturday could push K-State up to the Alamo Bowl, which would be remarkable for a rookie head coach.

Moderator

Tim, how does two more questions sound? I’m sure you’ve got a ton to do in preparation for tomorrow.

Tim Fitzgerald

Bring them on.

jfaught

Do you feel Figurs game against Texas was an anomaly or that the coaches feel more confident in him and are now involving him in more of the passing game because of Jordy being so banged up?

Tim Fitzgerald

Yamon had been battling a sprained ankle earlier in the season that slowed him down, but having Nelson back does add a layer of stress to a secondary. Keep in mind that both of those two have been/are injured and the third projected starter, Jermaine Moreira, is lost for the year. K-State used Figurs a lot against Texas because he was one of the few players on the roster who actually presented a speed problem for Texas, and the plan worked.

Moderator

Final Question. Sorry Tim, had to post this one. Though something tells me you’ll enjoy it.

tkeegan

Fitz, Have you ever thought about dying your hair purple as a means of protecting your weekly lead in thedriveshow.com polling?

Tim Fitzgerald

No, my sidekick who has insisted K-State couldn’t win more than three or four games this football season, and who actually thought that the KU basketball team was unbeatable this year (doink) does a great job of driving voters my way. Seriously, KU fans, watch The Drive and then vote for Keegan and Romary. Get their total to more than 50 percent some week and I’ll let the higher of the two have the final 30 seconds … unless K-State beats KU. Thanks for having me.

Moderator

Tim, thanks again for joining us. We’d love to have you back when KU and K-State meet on the hardwood.

Tim Fitzgerald

Besides, what hair do I have to dye? If K-State beats KU in Bramlage, maybe I’ll finally shave my head … which is sort of like a 10-cent gamble. Have fun, Saturday.