Columbia, Mo. ? In many ways, the two quarterbacks are similar — strong runners, strong arms, similar size.

But when Missouri’s Brad Smith and Kansas State’s Ell Roberson square off today in Manhattan in a game with postseason implications, Roberson has one decided advantage: experience.

Roberson, a KSU senior, has played in pivotal games. Smith, a sophomore, hasn’t.

“He’s a seasoned veteran,” Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said of Roberson. “He’s been through the wars. This is a new thing for Brad Smith.”

A win over No. 19 Kansas State would give Missouri (7-3, 3-3 Big 12) a shot at the Big 12 championship game Dec. 6 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. They’d still have to beat Iowa State on Nov. 29 to have a shot at their first conference championship since sharing the Big 8 title in 1969.

The problem for the Tigers is they haven’t beaten Kansas State (9-3, 5-2) since 1992.

Smith has a chance to be the NCAA’s first player to reach 2,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in two different seasons.

In Saturday’s 45-22 win over Texas A&M, Smith rushed for 136 yards, putting him over the 1,000-yard mark. He’s passed for 1,559 yards. The Tigers have two regular-season games left, plus a bowl game and, perhaps, the Big 12 title game.

“He’s the most extremely committed person you’ve ever met,” lineman Rob Droege said of Smith.