KU basks in spotlight, Mizzou eyes rebound, Farmageddon for KSU: SportsBeat KC podcast

College football’s biggest party comes to Lawrence on Saturday.

ESPN’s GameDay crew will set up shop near Memorial Stadium for the first time (for football, that is — the show’s been to Lawrence 10 times for hoops) because the Kansas Jayhawks are one of the nation’s biggest surprises. The No. 19-ranked KU team takes on No. 17 TCU at 11 a.m. Saturday.

In today’s episode of The Star’s SportsBeat KC podcast, KU beat writer Gary Bedore discusses the Jayhawks’ remarkable start amid a level of hype and hoopla that’s usually reserved for KU’s big men’s basketball games.

Also on the podcast, Missouri has lost two straight heartbreakers and now faces another big challenge at Florida. You’ll hear from Tigers head coach Eli Drinkwitz on today’s show.

And K-State beat writer Kellis Robinett shares his thoughts about the No. 20 Wildcats, who share the Big 12 lead with neighboring KU. Saturday’s visit to Iowa State for the annual Farmageddon showdown will be a challenge for the Cats, with the Cyclones plenty motivated after consecutive losses (including the one at KU last weekend).

Story links:

Kansas Jayhawks vs. TCU Horned Frogs: Five things to know about meeting between ranked teams

KU vs. TCU: Site of Saturday’s GameDay stage will offer this view of campus as backdrop

Missouri Tigers’ Drinkwitz wants team to stay football focused despite 2 tough losses

K-State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones: 5 things to know about Big 12 football game