November 12, 2002 ON THE HUSKER MENU: KANSAS STATE WILDCATS Big Red hits the road to the Little Apple hoping for starring role as spoiler By Jim D. Berryman MissingNebraska.com Editor The last time the Nebraska Cornhuskers made the trip south to the Little Apple of Manhattan, Kansas, the weather was almost a bigger story than outcome of the game. The Huskers lost a heartbreaker 29-28 in a driving rain/sleet/ice/snow storm that played a major role in the game. Sure it’s easy to say coulda woulda, but the weather deteriorated so bad in the last few minutes, the Huskers were unable to move the ball to get past the Wildcats. Well, you can put away your snow gear. The weather is not expected to be such a factor this Saturday. The kickoff forecast is calling for cloudy skies with a slight chance of showers, high around 50. No worries about being snowed under by Mother Nature. Getting snowed under by a tenacious Wildcat offensive attack is another story. Coming off an impressive 58-7 wipeout of Iowa State…a team Nebraska lost to in Ames 36-14…Kansas State looked unbeatable against the Cyclones. Or against anyone else for that matter. The Cats seem to be finding their rhythm just in time for the Cornhuskers to come calling. But Nebraska is starting to put together a rhythm of its own. After an impressive comeback victory at Texas A&M...something the previously undefeated Oklahoma Sooners couldn’t do last Saturday...Nebraska went on to nearly defeat 3rd-ranked Texas in Lincoln. The Huskers then manhandled the Jayhawks of Kansas in Lincoln last Saturday. If you’re keeping score, and I'm sure Wildcat fans are, K-State beat Kansas 64-0. Talk about piling it on to your in-state neighbors. KU is counting the days until they get the Kitty Cats on the basketball court. Of course last year, Nebraska defeated Kansas State 31-21 in Lincoln, but times have changed in a major way since then. Nebraska is 7-4, 3-3 as they head into Manhattan to face 8-2, 4-2 K-State. Despite the Wildcats’ commanding performance, there’s a real good chance KSU won’t be representing the Big 12 North division in the championship game in Houston this December. That honor belongs to Colorado, provided they defeat a falling-from-grace Iowa State team in Boulder this Saturday. That is not a given. However if the Buffs beat the ‘Clones, CU is in, no matter what happens on the day after Thanksgiving in Lincoln. So Kansas State has got to take care of Nebraska and do a lot of cheering for Iowa State this Saturday, and yes, they have to cheer on the Big Red of Nebraska against the Buffs too as they digest their Thanksgiving turkey on the day after Turkey Day. Both Kansas State and Nebraska are in unusual positions. After all, the Huskers are unranked going into the showdown with the Wildcats. But KSU coach Bill Snyder has been quoted as saying he thinks Nebraska is playing its best ball of the season. Most Husker fans agree. It will be a tall order to defeat Kansas State in Manhattan, especially after seeing them on television last Saturday night. But if we say it once, we will say it again and again. Anything can happen in college football. Nebraska leads the all time series 72-12-2. In other words, NU has enjoyed total domination against the Kansas State football program over the years. However, the teams split games over the last four years, each team winning at home against the other. It’s time to break that streak. Saturday’s game kicks off at 11:30 AM Central, and will be broadcast regionally by Fox Sports Net. Check your local listings to see if the game is available in your area. Yahoo! Live Broadcast Post Feedback NEBRASKA - KANSAS STATE PREVIEW STORIES, PICS, AND LINKS: 11-16-02: Nebraska still 'Big Red' More from Manhattan Mercury 11-16-02: K-State gears up for Nebraska More from Kansas City Star 11-16-02: NU plays for pride and shot at nine wins More from Omaha World Herald 11-15-02: Kansas St. worthy of rival status More from Lincoln Journal Star 11-14-02: Early kickoff fine for Huskers More from G.I. Independent 11-14-02: Sharpening his focus helps Ell collect W's More from Omaha World Herald 11-14-02: K-State Football Notebook More from Lincoln Journal Star 11-14-02: Frankly Speaking: NU vs. KSU More from Omaha World Herald 11-14-02: Captain's Report: Winning 9 games for Solich is top goal More from Omaha World Herald 11-13-02: Solich winless in games at KSU More from Manhattan Mercury 11-13-02: Snyder only focuses on Cornhuskers More from Manhattan Mercury 11-13-02: Impressive Wildcats More from G.I. Independent 11-13-02: Embattled defensive coordinator keeps his cool... More from Lincoln Journal Star 11-13-02: Snyder says comparing Wildcats to Husker program not valid More from Lincoln Journal Star 11-12-02: Solich, NU impressed by K-State More from Omaha World Herald 11-12-02: Huskers look to break trend vs. K-State More from G.I. Independent 11-12-02: Huskers look to avoid costly turnovers More from Daily Nebraskan 11-12-02: K-State played well, but can improve More from Manhattan Mercury 11-12-02: K-State Notebook: Newman not at full speed More from Kansas City Star Huskers on ESPN.com Husker Hot Pics AP Photos Husker Game Watch Locations Nationwide