Bill Snyder would prefer to have more time to prepare, while Paul Rhoads says it’s a good chance to step up the intensity level. Regardless of how the Kansas State and Iowa State coaches feel, they face an early Big 12 Conference opener in Week 2 of the college football season.

This is the earliest conference opener for K-State since it played the inaugural Big 12 game against Texas Tech to open the 1996 season on Aug. 31. The Wildcats and Cyclones played in Week 3 of the 2010 season.

The No. 20 Wildcats are coming off a 55-16 victory over Stephen F. Austin, a runaway result that allowed Snyder to go deep on his roster and give numerous players a taste of live action. That’s what he likes about the three nonconference games.

"Normally you prefer for them to start later on," Snyder said Monday on the Big 12 coaches teleconference. "That would be my feeling, but ask me probably about 4 o’clock in the afternoon Saturday and I’ll probably have a better answer for you one way or the other.

"You’d like to have an opportunity in earlier ballgames to get more experience from all of your players, to have a chance to get your number twos on the field and they can experience game day in a competitive manner and in a competitive situation before we get into conference play."

Iowa State is simply itching to get back on the field and try to redeem itself after a 34-14 home loss to North Dakota State, the same team that knocked off K-State in its 2013 opener.

"It gets your attention, it gets your focus, it gets your kids ready to go and meet the next challenge with a conference game," Rhoads said. "For us, coming off a disappointing loss, I think it’s really good for our focus and concentration. I’m not against it at all, whether it’s this year or years past."

An early conference game can create a buzz with more on the line.

"I don’t know if it’s any added pressure," Rhoads said. "There’s pressure every week when you play and pressure to win. You’re facing great teams every week in our league with our conference schedule as well as our nonconference schedule. I don’t think college football needs it; I think there are plenty of games to showcase every single weekend."

CYCLONES LOSE TOP RECEIVER — Rhoads announced that wide receiver Quenton Bundrage is out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL suffered on the fourth play of the North Dakota State game.

Bundrage was ISU's leading receiver a year ago with 48 receptions for 676 yards and nine touchdowns.

Cyclones center Tom Farniok injured his MCL in the first quarter and didn’t return but Rhoads said, "We’re confident Tom is going to be able to play."

ELEVEN WILDCATS IN NFL — Eleven former K-State players made the cut to land on 53-man NFL rosters.

Cornerback Terence Newman is the longest-tenured Wildcat, in the league for 12 years and his third in Cincinnati. Running back Darren Sproles is a 10-year veteran with Philadelphia.

Two players off last year’s team made rosters as undrafted free agents. Cornelius Lucas is with Detroit and safety Ty Zimmerman is in New Orleans, although he was placed on injured reserve.

Others in the NFL are LB Arthur Brown, Baltimore; RB Bryce Brown, Buffalo; OL Jeromey Clary, San Diego (physically unable to perform list); LB Emmanuel Lamur, Cincinnati; WR Jordy Nelson, Green Bay; LB Justin Tuggle, Houston and LB Reggie Walker, San Diego.

CATBACKERS WATCH PARTY — The Topeka Area Catbackers are having a watch party for the Iowa State game at Jeremiah Bullfrogs, 4115 SW Huntoon. The game starts at 11 a.m. and Bullfrogs will open at 10:30 a.m.

Catbacker club members will have an opportunity to sign a giant birthday card for Snyder, whose 75th birthday is Oct. 7.