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Auburn, K-State get early chance to make statement

By WTOP Staff

DAVE SKRETTA
AP Sports Writer

MANHATTAN, Kan. (AP) — Kansas State coach Bill Snyder was busy revolutionizing the spread offense, and the idea of a run-pass quarterback, at college football’s highest level during the 1990s.

Gus Malzahn was watching it all transpire while coaching high schools in Arkansas.

On Thursday night, two of the most innovative coaches of their respective generations will match wits under the lights with a national TV audience. Malzahn is coaching fifth-ranked Auburn (2-0) these days, and the Tigers will be visiting the No. 20 Wildcats (2-0) for a non-conference showdown.

“Being a high school coach way back when, I had a lot of respect for him, the way he’s built the program,” Malzahn said of the 74-year-old Snyder, the seemingly ageless wonder who returned from a brief retirement a few years ago to rebuild the program that he first put on the map.

“I think he’s one of the better coaches to ever walk the planet,” Malzahn added. “You can turn on the game film and you can see why. They execute offense and defense and the special teams, and they get the most out of their players. That’s what really stands out to me.”

What stands out to Snyder is the similarity in their offenses.

Both feature an athletic quarterback. Both use elements of the read-option, and then create a variety of looks from the same basic sets. And both have proven that the run game is still a vital part of success in an era of pass-happy offenses.

“They are still a pretty broad package in regards to their offense, which is similar to us,” Snyder said. “Your preparation has to be broad-based as well and be prepared for all of it.”

That preparation should be somewhat easy for both teams.

Since they share so many similarities, Kansas State and Auburn has easily replicated their opponent in practice the past few weeks.

The Wildcats have been able to mimic the flashy running style of Tigers quarterback Nick Marshall and the up-tempo, no-huddle approach that carried Auburn to the national title game last year. The Tigers have been able to break down and impersonate Wildcats quarterback Jake Waters, one of the most accurate passers in major college football.

“We definitely respect them,” Waters said, “but we also know that they are trying to come in here and smack us around and beat us. We have to have that same attitude and that confidence that we can play with anyone in the country. We respect them but we’re not scared of them.”

In a game that could have significant ramifications for the new college football playoff, here are a few things to watch for when Auburn visits Kansas State on Thursday night:

LOCKETT VS COATES: Auburn wide receiver Sammie Coates, who has been limited by a knee injury, is big and physical. Kansas State’s Tyler Lockett, who has been limited by a balky hamstring, is speedy and elusive. Both are expected to play significant roles in the game. And Auburn’s secondary will be depleted. Safety Jermaine Whitehead will miss the game because of a violation of team rules.

RODNEY DANGERFIELDS: Auburn doesn’t believe it’s received the respect typically showered on defending SEC champions. Kansas State has played the no-respect card every year that Snyder has prowled the sidelines. “We’ve always played with a chip on our shoulder,” Auburn linebacker Kris Frost said. “I don’t ever think that’s going to change.”

GETTING SPECIAL: With so many similarities between Snyder and Malzahn, it makes sense that both programs would value special teams. The Wildcats routinely score on kickoff and punt returns, and it was a dramatic return of a missed field goal against Alabama last season that helped boost the Tigers into the SEC title game. “We’ve worked extremely hard the last week-and-a-half on special teams,” Malzahn acknowledged. “I think that will be a big factor.”

BIG STAKES: Both teams can rack up some early style points with the new playoff committee with a marquee non-conference win. Perhaps more importantly, both can build some momentum for the rest of the season. “The whole world is watching,” Auburn defensive tackle Gabe Wright said.

STAYING LOOSE: With so much on the line, staying loose could prove difficult. Kansas State hasn’t faced a top-five, non-conference team at home since 1969, while the Tigers will be playing on the road for the first time this season. “Someone told me that’s the only game going on that day,” Wildcats wide receiver Deante Burton said. “It’s a game you dream about.”

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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