LINCOLN, Neb. -- Nebraska coach Frank Solich doesn't want to hear about Kansas State having a soft schedule.

	Frank Solich has Nebraska thinking about the national title again.

"You don't go undefeated like they have through their schedule and not have a great team," Solich said.

No. 7 Nebraska will find out how good Kansas State is Saturday when the Wildcats (9-0, 6-0) meet the Cornhuskers. Kansas State snapped a 29-game losing streak against the Huskers with a 40-30 win last year and can clinch its second straight North title by beating Nebraska again.

The Huskers (8-1, 5-1), who have played in two of the three Big 12 championship games, have had the Wildcats chasing them for years. Kansas State, which had the lowest winning percentage in major college football until last season, finally caught up to Nebraska in 1998. Kansas State would like to establish a dynasty in the division.

"That's a testament to what they've done with their program," Nebraska defensive back Mike Brown said. "They've turned it around. As the years go by, the Nebraska-Kansas State rivalry is going to get bigger every year they play."

It can't get much bigger than this year. In addition to the Big 12 race, national championship implications are at stake. Kansas State is fifth in the Bowl Championship Series ratings, which decide who will play for the national title, and Nebraska is sixth.

The Huskers thought they were out of the running when they lost at Texas last month, but losses by Penn State and Georgia Tech have them back within longshot range. It's not where they want to be, but receiver Matt Davison says they're dealing with it.

"We look at the polls and we look at the BCS standings," Davison said. "We do have one loss, so we know that we can't control our own destiny as much as we could have if we were undefeated. But we know we have to take care of business now and try to win out."

Kansas State knows all about missed opportunities when it comes to the national championship. The Wildcats were third in the BCS standings last year and could have claimed a spot in the national title game, but lost in double overtime to Texas A&M in the Big 12 championship game. It's not a scenario the Wildcats want to relive.

The Wildcats have had trouble with consistency all season. Kansas State had to rally from 21-point deficits in wins over Oklahoma State and Iowa State. They held on for a 20-14 win over Colorado after giving up two fourth-quarter touchdowns last week.

"If we play like that against Nebraska we will get beat," running back David Allen said. "We have to correct the mistakes. We've had some penalties and turnovers. But, against Nebraska you can't do that."