November 9, 2001 THINGS JUST AIN’T THE SAME. Four K-State losses take shine off what was supposed to be a top 10 match-up. Back in August, when you were sitting on the front porch drinking lemonade with family or friends, sweating in the summer heat, the Husker season probably came up in conversation now and then. You saw Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Kansas St. on the Husker plate for 2001. You may have even sweat a bit more thinking about all the potential “big games” there would be to enjoy, or drive you nuts, whatever the case may be. But who would have thought that two of those teams would have such disappointing seasons. Notre Dame, which has struggled throughout the season, and Kansas State, a team that struggled against some tough competition and lost four, yes four games in a row. It happened earlier this season, and of course now the Wildcats are on a two-game win streak. But in terms of a top 10 ranking and high hopes, you have to consider the Wildcat season a disappointment. The first Cat loss against Oklahoma in Norman was a tough-fought game. Kansas St. came close to pulling an upset. But after that, the purple balloons started to deflate. When Kansas St. lost to Colorado, many Husker fans let out a cheer when they heard the news. Their smiles could not be contained. Wow. K-State had lost two in a row. He. He. He. But then came three and then came four, and NU-KSU marquee match-up it is no more. Kansas St. is 4-4. Still rather shocking to see in print. Which is why many fans don’t know what to expect tomorrow. Will the Huskers be playing for revenge after losing in last year’s Sleet Bowl in Manhattan? Or will Kansas St. prove that the two-game win streak they’re enjoying means the Wildcats have come out of their litter boxes and are on the prowl for an upset? No one is ever a hundred percent sure, but one this is for certain: There will be no ice, sleet, or snow in Lincoln Saturday afternoon. Temps in the upper 60s. Another sure thing is that even though the game may not attract as big of a national or regional audience as it would if the game were between two top 10 teams, it is still a must-win for Nebraska. With the Huskers dreaming of a national championship, a loss at this time in the season is usually devastating for #1 hopes. So, Lincoln is rolling out the red carpet for the purple people from Manhattan. Somehow I think the rowdy Wildcats will be a bit more subdued in pre-game festivities this year. They won’t be able to brag too much until a knowledgeable Husker fan would mention the four loss deal. That’ll move the conversation on to a new topic, guaranteed. Will the game be on at your house? ABC-TV Coverage Map Is K-State for real? Take the poll NU-KSU Preview from ESPN Feedback