Hop on the Frogs

We've got more than our share of outstanding nominees for Coach of the Year this season.

Certainly Nick Saban deserves consideration. The turnaround that Charlie Strong has orchestrated at undefeated Louisville is phenomenal. And Penn State's Bill O'Brien, who after an 0-2 start in the vortex of the worst scandal in college football history, has gone 6-1 since.

And the game of the week, as far as the BCS National Championship picture is concerned, has two more candidates going head to head.

Bill Snyder has done at least as much for his Kansas State program as any coach has ever done for a program. The Wildcats are No. 2 in the BCS standings, and no team is better at not beating itself.

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COLLIN KLEIN Kansas St. QB got banged up last week.

TCU coach Gary Patterson is one of the game's top defensive minds. After losing star quarterback Casey Pachall to substance abuse, the Horned Frogs lost two straight before righting things with a 39-38, double-overtime win at West Virginia.

Patterson is 6-1 in bowl games. He's a winner, a big-game winner.

And this weekend the Horned Frogs host the Wildcats in the biggest Big 12 game of the season. If K-State wins, the Wildcats remain on course to win the league title and a spot in the national championship game.

If TCU pulls the upset — it's a 10-point dog at home — the Big 12 championship is up for grabs and the Wildcats will not play in the BCS title game, even if they close out with wins at Baylor and at home vs. Texas.

This is fascinatingly intriguing scenario in its own right. But we've got mystery in play, as well.

K-State's starting QB and Heisman Trophy candidate Collin Klein left last week's 44-30 win over Oklahoma State with what was believed to be a concussion-like injury.

On Tuesday's Big 12 conference call, Snyder — who should have been given the role played by Gary Oldham in "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" — led us to believe his QB would play this weekend.

"Let's cut to the chase," Snyder said. "Would I expect him to play? I certainly hope that's the case, and I would expect that to take place."

Snyder, however, said, "I don't want to put any young person in jeopardy. That's why I don't address injuries."

So he kinda hopes, sorta expects Klein to play. But he also doesn't want to put any young person in jeopardy.

It's your money. Mine goes on TCU, getting 10.

VA TECH (+14) over Florida St. — The Hokies (4-5) are in danger of not getting to a bowl, but they are 19-6 in the ESPN Thursday night showcase. It's supposed to be cold and windy, conditions the 'Noles are not accustomed to.

Pitt (-3 1/2) over UCONN — A program on the ascent over a program on the decline.

SYRACUSE (+2 1/2) Louisville — The Cards have been playing with fire. They get burned by the Orange flame.

RUTGERS (-17) over Army — Big letdown for the Black Knights after that terrific win over Air Force.

Northwestern (+11 1/2) over MICHIGAN — Northwestern beats the teams it should beat and loses to teams that physically overmatch it. But the Wildcats keep it close.

Oregon State (+4 1/2) over STANFORD — Oregon's Ducks are getting all the love and pub, but did we mention the Beavers' Mike Riley deserves to be in that Coach of the Year talk?

USC (-9) over Arizona St. — Never thought I'd write these words: USC WR Marqise Lee is the most electrifying player we've seen since Johnny Rodgers, our all-time favorite.

ALABAMA (-14) over Texas A&M — Coach Saban has failed to cover for us two weeks in a row, but we're sticking with him.

OKLAHOMA (-21 1/2) over Baylor — I've seen Baylor's defense. Actually, I haven't seen Baylor's defense, which, of course, is the problem.

NEBRASKA (-7) over Penn St. — Despite being burned by Big Red more than my Sunday morning hot bagel, we just can't see these Nittany Lions going into Lincoln and covering.

Georgia (-15 1/2) over AUBURN — Georgia has everything to play for. Auburn has nothing to play for.

LSU (-14 1/2) over Miss. St. — Can't imagine the Tigers not suffering a major letdown. This is more of an indictment of the Bulldogs.

Notre Dame (-19) over BC — That's not Irish Spring. That's the wakeup call ND got last week.

Oregon (-28) over CALIFORNIA — Can Ducks cover in the first half?

Best bets: Oklahoma, Nebraska, Alabama.

Last week 6-9. Season: 77-72-1.

Best Bets: 1-2, 14-16.

lenn.robbins@nypost.com

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