A Decade Later…

Raise your hands. Who remembers what happened 10 years ago? Yeah, me neither. Turns out it was a pretty interesting year. Leo and “Titanic” won 11 Oscars, Pro Wrestler Jesse “The Body” Ventura was elected Governor of Minnesota, Mark McGwire shot enough juice to break Maris’ homerun record, and President Clinton redefined what a “fine” cigar was all about. All were pretty memorable things I guess, but do you remember what happened with Big XII football?

Last weekend I’m watching scores and I see that lowly Miami (FL) destroys Big XII bottom feeder, Texas A&M. Then I remember just a few days earlier K State just got beat up by Louisville’s declining program, and it hits me... what on earth am I watching, and where am I? Miami, Texas A&M, and KSU? These used to be your national powerhouses. I know I’ve touched on this “Shift of Power” topic before with Michigan, but it really does amaze me how KSU and Texas A&M have fallen so far, so fast.

Do you remember that 1998 Double OT Big XII Championship game between these 2 teams? I’m pretty sure both the Aggie and Wildcat fans do.

  

I’m not a big stat guy, but both those programs were awfully good. In 1998, I think KSU finished the season something like #6 in the nation with an 11-2 record, and Texas A&M was like #12 with an 11-3 (or later 10-4 because of a forfeited game). Going into the Big XII championship game, I think KSU was ranked #2 and A&M #10. K-State had a roster full of talent with the likes of Ryan Young, Michael Bishop, Jeff Kelley, David Allen, Jarrod Cooper, and Martin Gramatica; and A&M had Sir Parker, Big XII All American Shane Lechler, and future NFL star Dat Nguyen. Both teams were led by proven successful coaches in RC Slocum and Bill Snyder, and you could find either team on National TV just about as often as you can find a McCain or Obama mudslinging ad.

Now, Captain Ron and Mike Sherman are in control, both teams have fallen from the rankings, the talent pool has depleted considerably, and the KState and A&M faithful not attending games are just hoping their teams get a couple TV appearances on your local Fox Sports channels.

My how things change in just 10 short years.