The Wildcats (9-0, 6-0 Big 12 North) had lost 29 straight to Nebraska before last season's 40-30 triumph at home. They have not beaten the Cornhuskers (8-1, 5-1) in Lincoln in 15 games since 1968 and need to do so if they want to win the division and return to the conference title game December 4 at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

With a win, Kansas State would clinch the division title, but could still get the nod with a loss, should it beat Missouri and have Nebraska lose to Colorado.

The Wildcats join top-ranked Florida State, No. 2 Virginia Tech, seventh-ranked Mississippi State and No. 11 Marshall as the only unbeatens in the country. But Kansas State finds itself ranked only fifth in the latest Bowl Championship Series (BCS) rankings.

Last season, the Wildcats struggled for respect until they finally appeared ready to take their spot in the national championship game last December 5 when UCLA lost in the afternoon. Favored to beat Texas A&M that night in the Big 12 title game, the Wildcats lost, 36-33 in overtime, and did not even get into a BCS bowl game.

A win over Nebraska would mean a chance to move closer to a berth in the Sugar Bowl, which will be this year's national championship game, in New Orleans on January 4. But they have not beaten the Cornhuskers in consecutive years since 1958-59.

Last year's hero, Michael Bishop, is gone but in his place, Jonathan Beasley has done an admirable job keeping the Wildcats unbeaten. Beasley has completed 82-of-177 passes (46.3 percent) for 1,532 yards and 12 touchdowns with seven interceptions. He has added 181 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.

Joe Hall, a 290-pounder, is the leading rusher with 603 yards and six touchdowns, while speedster Frank Murphy has 453 and four, averaging 6.3 yards per carry.

The unsung hero is Jamie Rheem, who has replaced unreplacable kicker Martin Gramatica by hitting 16-of-17 field goals.

Nebraska has relied on its defense, nicknamed the "Blackshirts," to stifle the opposition. The Blackshirts rank fourth overall, third against the pass and in scoring and sixth against the run. But Kansas State is their statistical equal, ranking second overall, first against the pass and fourth in scoring. The Wildcats are 12th against the run and first in turnover margin.

Eric Crouch has completed 65-of-117 passes for 1,101 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions, running 111 times for 536 yards and 11 scores. He is second on the Cornhuskers in rushing to Dan Alexander, who has 112 carries for 664 yards and five scores.

KANSAS STATE Season schedule and results	NEBRASKA Season schedule and results
Sep. 11 Temple W 40-0 Sep. 18 UTEP W 40-7 Sep. 25 @Iowa State W 35-28 Oct. 2 @Texas W 35-17 Oct. 9 Kansas W 50-9 Oct. 16 Utah State W 40-0 Oct. 23 @Oklahoma State W 44-21 Oct. 30 Baylor W 48-7 Nov. 6 Colorado W 20-14 Nov. 13 @Nebraska 3:30pm ET Nov. 20 Missouri 2:10pm ET	Sep. 4 @Iowa W 42-7 Sep. 11 California W 45-0 Sep. 18 Southern Mississippi W 20-13 Sep. 25 @Missouri W 40-10 Oct. 2 Oklahoma State W 38-14 Oct. 9 Iowa State W 49-14 Oct. 23 @Texas L 20-24 Oct. 30 @Kansas W 24-17 Nov. 6 Texas A&M W 37-0 Nov. 13 Kansas State 3:30pm ET Nov. 26 @Colorado 2:30pm ET