Kansas State running back Alex Barnes (34) gets airborne as he dives over Kansas cornerback Brandon Stewart (8) for a touchdown during the second quarter, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

Kansas State left tackle Scott Frantz, a Free State High graduate, earned a spot on the Associated Press all-bowl team by holding No. 1 overall draft pick Myles Garrett of Texas A&M without a sack. Right tackle Dalton Risner did a better job against Big 12 2017 preseason defensive player of the year Dorance Armstrong than anyone Kansas faced in 2016.

Frantz and Risner play their positions with the sort of natural meanness that coaches try so hard to instill into blockers who don’t have it.

Now mix in head coach Bill Snyder’s brilliant offensive mind and the fact that K-State’s style is different than everyone else’s in the Big 12. Add dual-threat quarterback Jesse Ertz to the picture and think about how efficiently Snyder has used quarterbacks with good feet in the past. Blend in a terrific running back in Alex Barnes (7.9 yards per carry) and a big-play wide receiver in Byron Pringle (16.2 yards per catch) and it’s difficult to keep a question from bubbling to the surface.

Why can’t Kansas State win the Big 12 title?

Sure, Oklahoma was the preseason selection to win it all, but don’t forget, explosive running backs Samaje Perine and Joe Mixon are in the NFL now. Gifted offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley has added head coach to his title for the first time at the age of 33 and no matter how talented a coach, an adjustment period is unavoidable.

In its informative, insightful college preview issue, which includes a damning story on the decline of recruiting in the Big 12, Sports Illustrated picks Oklahoma State to make it to the four-school national playoff. Solid pick. Mason Rudolph threw for 4,091 yards and 28 touchdowns with just four interceptions. James Washington is back at wide receiver and so is Jalen McCleskey, bad news for Big 12 secondaries.

The Cowboys have a tough defense, too.

So why not the Cowboys? The Sports Illustrated cover jinx.

Kansas State will miss Big 12 defensive player of the year Jordan Willis, but still have enough talent to get after the quarterback, led by Reggie Walker.

Oklahoma visits Bill Snyder Family Stadium Oct. 21. Should the Wildcats win that one, they’ll win the hearts of every underdog-loving sports fan in search of a school to latch onto for the remainder of the college football season.

Big-game alert: K-State visits Oklahoma State on Nov. 18, a game that could have a big say in determining the makeup of the Dec. 2 Big 12 championship game at AT&T Stadium, aka The Jerry Jones Dome, in Arlington, Texas.