Snyder has made a living out of dominating KU during his K-State coaching career. Dating back to the 1993 season, he is 12-1 against the Jayhawks. From 1993-2003, his teams combined to outscore KU 460-97.
"You can't deny that when two in-state school teams meet and play each other that it doesn't take on perhaps greater meaning than other games," Snyder said. "Yes, there's the adage that every game is the most important one that you play and this one is the most important one we'll play up to this point in time."
KU has won three in a row in the series, including a 52-21 victory last season in Lawrence. However, Mangino acknowledges this K-State team is different from last year's squad.
"They are a lot better than they were a year ago," he said.
The Jayhawks (5-3, 1-3 Big 12) enter Saturday's game on the heels of a three-game losing streak, which has put them in a three-way tie for last in the Big 12 North.
"We've been in this position before, and we just need to get on track and do a better job offensively," Mangino said. "The character of our team will be tested, there's no question about that."
A K-State win Saturday would ensure the Wildcats would finish ahead of the Jayhawks in the North no matter what happens in their final two games. Because of that, the game may have an added significance.
"The fans, it means a lot to Kansas State people just like it means a lot to the University of Kansas constituency," Snyder said. "Players who were raised within the state of Kansas probably feel the emotional impact of it probably more so than those that are from out of state.
"But even those that are from out of state, as they have been around the program for any point of time, they feed off of the youngsters from the state of Kansas and get into it as well. They make it extremely meaningful. I don't think there's any doubt about that."
Less than 5,000 tickets remain for KU game
K-State officials announced Monday that less than 5,000 tickets remain for the KU game Saturday.
K-State students can also still purchase a special $89 ticket package for the final two home games of the season, a savings of $21 if purchased separately. The general admission seats are located in Section 28 of Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
Reesing to start
Following the Jayhawks' 5-0 start, Mangino was campaigning for his star quarterback Todd Reesing to be in the talk for the Heisman Trophy.
Three weeks later, the KU coach benched the senior after a fumbled handoff attempt that led to a Texas Tech touchdown to give the Red Raiders a 35-21 lead with 7:05 remaining in the game.
It was Reesing's seventh turnover in his last three games, and following the Tech game, Reesing admitted he has been dealing with a groin injury that he suffered on Oct. 17 in a 34-30 loss at Colorado.
"I think it was the appropriate thing to do," Mangino said. "He wasn't getting great protection from the offensive line and I didn't want him taking anymore shots. Things just weren't in sync for our offense, not just him but the whole offense, so I thought it was in his best interests and our team's best interests to take him out of there for the last couple of series."
Mangino said after the game that Reesing would have to earn his job back on the field during practice this week.
Apparently, he's already done so.
"Of course," Mangino said when asked if Reesing would start against K-State. "He's absolutely fine, he's ready to go. He wants to win. He's looking forward to playing against Kansas State and wants to win the game.
"I don't see any problems with him about anything. I think the least of his worries ought to be coming out of the game. He's going to focus on getting himself better and getting back into sync."
Mangino said Kale Pick, the redshirt freshman who replaced Reesing Saturday, will serve as the No. 2 quarterback, while Kerry Meier, the Jayhawks second-leading receiver, will continue to serve as the third-string quarterback.
KSU, MU kickoff set for 11:30
It would seem 11:30 a.m. kickoffs and 6 p.m. start times have become the new trend this season for the Wildcats. Conference officials announced Monday that K-State's home finale against Missouri will kickoff at 11:30 a.m. and will be televised on VERSUS.
This Saturday's game against the Jayhawks will also kick off at 11:30 a.m. and will air on the VERSUS network.
