What a difference a year makes.
This time last year, headed into the final game of the regular season, the Kansas State Wildcats were in the midst of a four-game losing streak, and looked basically like a M.A.S.H. unit on the field. The Wildcats were down so many starters of defense alone that a linebacker was starting at safety (for a few plays before he too got hurt) just to keep some decent talent on the field. On the opposite side, the Texas Longhorns were headed into what would become their 2020 finale at 6-3, and winners of three of their last four, and though fresh off a loss to 2020 Iowa State, were humming along basically on all cylinders and getting geared up for a decent bowl game to end the season.