A relay race?

Interesting quotes have surfaced in the Kansas State media, including one claim by K-State cornerback Justin McKinney that the Wildcats have superior team speed heading into Saturday’s 11 a.m. rivalry game in Manhattan.

Word of that got back to KU cornerback Aqib Talib on Tuesday. Though Talib didn’t exactly bite at the bait, he did have fun with the comment.

“We haven’t lined up and did a real relay race,” Talib quipped. “So really, we don’t know.”

Talib, who ran a little track himself in high school, then offered to lend a helping hand.

“I can set something up if that’s what they want to do,” he said with a smile.

Watching the Wildcats

Many of the players said they tuned in to Kansas State’s 41-21 victory over Texas on Saturday during KU’s bye week.

“Almost all of it,” tight end Derek Fine said. “I was actually glad they won. It says a lot more about our part of the conference. It makes this game huge, and that much more fun to play in.”

KU coach Mark Mangino said he watched about 70 percent of the game live before breaking it down on film in the ensuing days.

“I think K-State played very well. They deserved to win the game,” Mangino said. “There was no doubt in the game. They outplayed Texas in every category.”

Harper back

Mangino said Tuesday that cornerback Kendrick Harper is expected to play against Kansas State.

Harper dressed but did not play against Florida International on Sept. 22, wearing a cast on his right arm. He’s been out since getting hurt the first day of practice in August.

Watts questionable

Kansas State safety Marcus Watts did not play against Texas because of an undisclosed injury. Whether he plays against Kansas probably won’t be known publicly until Saturday.

“Marcus doesn’t have anything to prove to me from a practice standpoint,” K-State coach Ron Prince said. “He’s a veteran player.”