Manhattan ? Even after falling out of the Top 25 for the first time in 33 years, Nebraska is still Nebraska, and Kansas State’s players are well aware of that fact.

Despite Nebraska’s having its worst record at this point in the season since 1961, Kansas State coach Bill Snyder isn’t going to shrug the Cornhuskers (7-4, 3-3 Big 12) off as anything less than a force.

Although No. 11 Kansas State (8-2, 4-2) broke a 29-game losing streak against the ‘Huskers in 1998 and have split the series since then, Snyder knows the Wildcats still have a ways to go before reaching equity with Nebraska’s historic accomplishments.

“We’ve lost far more than we’ve won,” said Snyder, whose team trails the all-time series 72-12-2. “Where are we in relation to them? Each year is a little different. Last year we certainly were not comparable. This year, we’ll find out. We just don’t really know. Of course, they have a tremendous tradition that we haven’t been around long enough to have, so we can’t match them in regards to a tradition.”

But the Wildcats have at least narrowed the gap.

They beat Nebraska 40-30 here in 1998 and shocked the fourth-ranked ‘Huskers 29-28 here in 2000.

Last year, Nebraska won 31-21.

With the ‘Huskers having a down year and the Wildcats hovering close to a top ten ranking, Kansas State is favored. This is the first time a ranked Kansas State team has played an unranked Nebraska squad.

“Nebraska is always going to be Nebraska,” free safety Bobby Walker said. “Nebraska is still one of the top-notch programs. We want to go in focused like we did against Iowa State and play Nebraska football. You have to get up for the Nebraska game.

“If you can’t get up for that one, you can’t get excited for any game.”

While in the past Kansas State was just happy to keep it close, now the game usually decides the winner in the Big 12 North. From 1996 to 2000, the game’s winner played in the Big 12 title game. Colorado stopped the streak last year and stands in the way again this season.

“I believe that we are on the same level,” cornerback Terence Newman said. “Some of the older guys used to say ‘Hey, we didn’t get beat by 50, so that’s good,’ but now just winning is the most important thing. Not getting beat by seven or three points, but winning the game.”

Since 1998, the Nebraska-Kansas State games played in Manhattan have sold out; this year’s game is no different.

The 53,811 fans that saw Kansas State’s 2000 win set a KSU Stadium record for largest crowd.

“We’ve been playing real well these past few weeks and K-State-Nebraska is always a heated rivalry,” said tight end Thomas Hill. “So we’re excited to have them come into our place this year after they beat up on us last year.”