After defeating a ranked University of Texas team two years in a row — this time a 41-21 thumping last night in Austin — Kansas State is ranked 24 in the Associated Press poll, its first national ranking in years.

K-State will be home next Saturday to cross-state rivals, University of Kansas, and superfan Amy — who took time out from the Orlando itinerary to watch the entire Texas game at the ESPN Zone — and I will be there.

The concessions at the KState football stadium are inspected by the Manhattan-Riley County Health Department. Each week, The Manhattan Mercury publishes the results of restaurant inspections. Last week, the results from the concession stands inspected were relatively good, with the major violation being hot food held at too cool temperatures. Tailgating for the sold out game will bring its own risks, but we’ll be there, digital, tip-sensitive thermometers in hand.