An odd stroke of optimism here...

Texas is going to absolutely dismantle KSU.  It'll be a perfect lead into the RRS, which we'll come into with a full head of steam.  Odd as it sounds, I think the Rice game reminded everyone that we're Texas, we're loaded with talent, and we're capable of opening things up.  

pride.

The players and coaches have been discounting the "revenge factor," but I don't buy it.  I expect to see some big hits out there by the Texas defense, and no mercy from Colt and the offense.

1.  Not overlooking it one bit.  It's definitely a stepping stone to the RRS, but it's a big one.  I'm sure Mack is giving them the "moving on to the next phase of the season" treatment, i.e. conference play.

2.  I expect a big fight from K State.  It can't have escaped their notice that Texas is still struggling somewhat with pass defense, and that is their strength (passing offense).  They also had 2 weeks to work on strategy and preparation.  But I also expect a strong effort from Texas, hopefully those close games over the last month will have conditioned them to play ballz-out for 4 quarters.

Texas pulls away in the 3rd quarter, wins by 14+.

1. I don't buy the "coach speak" all week about this being just another game.  Externally, the team doesn't want to provide KSU any bulletin board material, but internally I have to believe that there is some huge motivation to beat KSU.  You don't look past this game, you look forward to it.

2. Expect a dogfight early on.  KSU will apply constant pressure, and they will really try to get our defense backpedalling.  I expect Texas to come out with a fury, but I think KSU is capable of taking it blow by blow.  Like the TCU game, this game will be won in the 2nd half.

1. No way. I still remember the "sick in the stomach" feeling after last year's game. I dont want it to happen again.

2. I expect KSU to come out with all guns blazing. A lot of trick plays, like last year. Upset is possible if we play loose on defense (esp LBs and CBs). I expect Chiles to play if we dont get it done in the red zone. I expect McGee to play in short yardage situations and in red zone. I expect Charles to NOT fumble. I expect a few long throws to Sweed and Nate Jones.

1.Not at all. It's the first conference game of the year and it just so happens that it's against the team that ruined Texas' season last year. On top of that, this K-State team does have some talent (not at Texas' level, but talent nonetheless) and confidence that they can beat the 'Horns.
2.I would give this game about a 10% chance of an upset due to the factors I mentioned above: talent and confidence. Also, we've seen Texas play some bad football this year against ASU, TCU (1st half), and UCF (uggghhh), so it's not like they can sleep walk and win this game. But despite all that and the fact that it's the week before OU, this is a home game, the first conference game, and it's against the team that spoiled last year's hopes and dreams. The 'Horns sure as hell better be focused, sharp, and pumped up if they want that game in Dallas to mean anything. I think they will, but that's why they play the game...

we should have won the Big XII south that night in Kansas.

everything went wrong for us, everything went right for them and they still won by 3 pts.

I'll never forget the humiliation of having Kstate run BACK to BACK halfback passes.

KState sucks - they got worked by Rutgers last year for chrissake.

still, i don't recall us EVER having an easy time with KState.

1. No - but may not matter.

2. I expect a fight.  Sure K-State can win.  Texas has proven it can play worse than its talent on paper.  

Since '98, UT is 2-3 vs. KSU.  History doesn't matter a lot b/c of the variables especially when you play two games every other two years, but I sure like touting our record versus the Cornhuskers and I'm guessing the players derive confidence from history if I do.  The breakdown ...

1998. Unranked UT Lost 48-7 @ #5 KSU (same year we lost 49-31 @ #6 UCLA; same year we won 20-16 @ #7 Nebraska; beat unranked OU 34-3)

1999. #15 UT Lost at home 35-17 against #13 KSU (same year #18 UT won 24-20 against #3 Nebraska; beat unranked OU 38-28)

2002. #8 UT won @ #17 KSU 17-14 (same year won @ unranked Nebraska 27-24; lost to #2 OU 35-24)

2003. #13 UT won at home 24-20 vs. #16 KSU (same year won at home against #12 Nebraska 31-7; lost vs. #1 OU 65-13)

2006. #4 UT lost @ unranked KSU 45-42 (same year won @ #17 Nebraska 22-20; won vs. #14 OU 28-10)

What does it mean based on unreliable data for forecasting???  Well, we should beat Nebraska in a close game regardless - sweet!  When we beat KSU, we lose to OU and vice versa - crap!  We've yet to "blow out" KSU but they have put two decisive wins on us - one away and one at home - though that was back in the 90's.  

So going back to question #1, UT had better not be looking ahead and let's hope they make Big 12 history this year by beating KSU and OU in the same season!