After loss to Baylor, what now for Kansas State?

Each week we'll examine a team that had the most to lose on Saturday – and did. After a 52-24 loss to Baylor, Kansas State will go from being in the BCS driver's seat to the periphery of the championship hunt. Now that they're no longer one of the few unbeaten teams in the FBS, what now for the Wildcats?

Kansas State will win at least a share of the Big 12 title with a win over Texas to end the regular season. KSU hasn't won any conference hardware since beating Oklahoma in the 2003 Big 12 championship game.

There's some solace to be taken in that, which would signal to all that KSU – Snyder, Part II – is around to stay after last year's breakthrough.

Better yet, if KSU beats Texas and Oklahoma State beats Oklahoma, giving the Wildcats the outright Big 12 title, would the program and its fan base be able to look back on this season and be satisfied?

Or would the pain of losing a chance at perfection remain front and center for the entire offseason and beyond? There are still things left to play for, both on a team and individual level. Is a national title still in play? Well… it's complicated.

1. Play for Klein. It might be too early to say whether quarterback Collin Klein's Heisman Trophy campaign has been derailed, but it's safe to say that the opportunity is there for a challenger (Johnny Manziel, for instance) to swoop in and steal Klein's thunder.

Klein means more to his team than any single player in college football. It's time for the rest of his team – because it is Klein's team, on the field – to return the favor. Can the Wildcats rally around Klein against Texas? Here's guessing they do just that.

2. Play clean against Texas. One of the most distressing aspects of Kansas State's loss to Baylor was the team's sloppy play. What happened to the team that didn't turn the ball over, didn't commit penalties, waited until the opponent made a mistake and then pounced?

That team didn't show up on Saturday, which might explain how the No. 1 team in the BCS standings lost to a four-win team. (Though Baylor was the best 4-5 team in the FBS, if that means anything.) Beyond the team's defensive letdown, the Wildcats' uncharacteristic sloppiness was the story of the night. Can KSU get back on the same page before taking on the Longhorns?

3. Yes, get some help. Let's think about how KSU can regain its perch as one of the top two teams in the BCS. All but one of the following scenarios need to occur:

USC has to beat Notre Dame. Georgia Tech has to beat Georgia (because Auburn has no chance against Alabama). Georgia has to beat Alabama in the SEC title game. Florida has to beat Florida State. South Carolina has to beat Clemson. Florida State has to lose in the ACC title game. Oregon State or UCLA has to beat Oregon.

I think that covers it. And if all that does come to pass, Kansas State will play for the national championship.