By Ben Brake

Sprots Editor

’99: 12-1, 7-1 Big 12

’00: 8-1, 5-1 Big 12

Coach Frank Solich (third season, 21-5)

Nebraska will be coming down to Manhattan ranked 4th in the AP, 5th in the Coaches, and 4th in the BCS poll.
K-State is ranked 16th in the AP, 11th in the Coaches, and 11th in the BCS. The winner of the game will more
than likely represent the North in the Big 12 Championship game. The Cornhuskers are also favored by 4 1/2
points in the game. Nebraska is still in contention for the national title and will not want to just throw that away.
This should be a great battle between two Big 12 powerhouse teams.

If K-State plays Nebraska like they played Iowa State, it will be a very exciting game. But, if they play them like
they played Oklahoma, Texas Tech, or Texas A&M KSU will taste another disaster with a greater point margin.

K-State will have to control Quarterback Eric Crouch and Running back Dan Alexander. They lead the team in
the rushing attack with a combined total of just under 2000 yards. If the Wildcats can’t control Crouch and
Alexander it will be a very long game for the Cats.

One advantage K-State has is the fans. If K-State fans didn’t learn anything else from the A&M game, the fans
made a huge difference down at College Station with the noise.

The fans cannot be taken out of the game even if the Wildcats are down. Everybody needs to make noise while
Nebraska has the ball from opening kickoff until the last second ticks off the game clock. Cat fans need to show
their team they are there to help.

This game does not have the national title riding on it like expected at the beginning of the year, but it does have
the Big 12 North title riding on it.

Prediction: K-State 24 Nebraska 17