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| K-State running back Daniel Thomas. Associated Press. |
But the pendulum of power in the state has begun to swing towards KU's favor over the past few years. The Jayhawks have won four of the last five meetings, including three in a row, capped off by a 52-21 rout over the Wildcats last year in Lawrence.
Nick Stringer, a Topeka product, wants to see that spot in the cabinet filled once again.
"It's big. It hasn't been in our trophy case for a while," Stringer said. "Coming up here on recruiting visits and what not -- I used to see it all the time."
Two years ago after K-State upset Texas in Austin, its emotions were running high. It was 3-1 and ranked in the Top 25 going into the game against the Jayhawks. The Wildcats were defeated by KU 30-24 in Manhattan, sending them spiraling downwards to a 5-7 finish.
"The game with Kansas has made a big difference the past two years," safety Tysyn Hartman said. "Two years ago, we were faring very well. Then, we lost the game to KU and lost basically the rest of our season after that. I wouldn't quite call it a coincidence."
The game's significance can be measured in a multitude of ways. A K-State (5-4, 3-2 Big 12) win would ensure it finishes ahead of KU (5-3, 1-3) in the final Big 12 North standings while helping continue the Wildcats' push towards winning the divi sion. A K-State loss and the North picture would become as muddled as ever. But Bill Snyder would rather not think about the possibilities just yet.
"The only thing that I've said to (the team) is that there's several teams that have their own destiny in their hands and Kansas State is certainly a team that does have it as far as anyone else for that matter," said the K-State coach. "That's the only dialogue we've had as it relates to what the future could hold after three ballgames.
"We've got our hands full just trying to get through Monday and Tuesday."
Saturday's game may also play a pivotal role in the futures of several Kansas recruits at the high school level, particularly those who didn't grow up a fan of either school. Each year, the state of Kansas produces roughly 10 to 15 high-end Division I football players. For years, Snyder seemingly had the pick of the crop with in the state's borders. Although most, such as Terence Newman, Jon McGraw, Jordy Nelson, Darren Sproles and Mark Simoneau weren't heavily recruited by other programs. All five currently reside in the NFL. In the past eight years, KU has landed 25 commitments from in-state recruits at the high school level.
K-State has placed 33 Kansas high school football players on scholarship. The Wildcats currently have four verbal commitments from Kansas kids for 2010. KU has one.
In the past couple of years, several of the state's top players have left the borders. Wichita's Arthur Brown is a sophomore at Miami (Fla.) and is struggling to find playing time, while his brother Bryce Brown is a true freshman running back at Tennessee.
Bishop Carroll senior quarterback Blake Bell has verbally committed to play at Oklahoma for next year as has Bishop Miege's Justin McCay.
In 2008, both Chris Harper and Broderick Smith left the state for Oregon and Minnesota respectively, but have since returned to play for K-State, due in large part to the return of Snyder.
So questions remain: Can the two programs build the foundation back up to the point where they can lock down the borders? And two, has KU's four victories over the past five seasons created a power shift to help sway a high school football player one way or the other when it comes to his decision?
That's something Snyder can't answer with 100 percent certainty.
"Having been in it for a long period of time, young people make decisions for absolutely amazing reasons and so many varying reasons. That certainly doesn't hurt to have that going for you, but is it the primary reason for those decisions? My guess would be probably not.
"It's not that you don't play to that in regards to your recruiting, but it making a difference in a decision? Certainly it's going to be a part of it and in many cases it can be the dominating decision-maker.
But collectively, I don't think so."
Hillsboro native Wade Weibert said it could have a significant effect.
"I think it can definitely be somewhat of a deciding factor," said the K-State center. "If you're a kid that kind of grew up riding the fence.
"In a way it could look like K-State has had their time in the limelight and it looks like KU -- this is about their time. Right now, as a high school kid, I could see it as a great opportunity."
Weibert said the Sunflower Showdown is big not only for recruiting implications, but also for pride.
"When I was growing up, you never saw K-State lose to KU so it's a big deal," he said. "For me personally, it's a feeling of trying to restore the order kind of thing."
As for bringing the Governor's Cup back to Manhattan? "There's an empty space over there in that cabinet," Stringer said. "We're gonna do our best to bring it back."
