Manhattan ? Louisiana-Lafayette might have picked a bad time to visit Kansas State.

The Wildcats were embarrassed, bewildered and stripped of their national ranking last week in a 45-21 loss to Fresno State.

It was Kansas State’s worst non-conference loss in 13 years, dropping the Wildcats (1-1) from their No. 13 ranking — and putting them in a foul mood for today’s game against the underdog Ragin’ Cajuns.

“Everybody is going to be banging. I’m sure we’ll step it up. It will test our character, definitely,” said guard Gerard Spexarth. “It always does when you have to bounce back from a big loss like that, especially at home. This week will be a huge stepping stone. If we can come back from that, we can come back from anything.”

The Ragin’ Cajuns (1-1) know they’ll be in for a fight with the demoralized defending Big 12 champions.

“They are going to be in a bad mood when we get there, but this is a program-defining game,” said coach Rickey Bustle. “We are not supposed to win, but if you go in there and win, you are in every newspaper in the country.”

Louisiana-Lafeyette, which returned 12 starters from the 2003 squad that finished 4-8, has won five of its last seven overall. Quarterback Jerry Babb has passed for more than 500 yards in just two games this season, including 327 in a 24-20 loss last week at Louisiana Tech.

But Kansas State’s Darren Sproles, who might have more right to be mad than any other member of the team, could be in for a big day.

KSU’s Heisman Trophy contender, who was held to 37 yards by Fresno State, will be facing a run defense that ranks No. 106 nationally.

The Wildcats, who open Big 12 play next week at Texas A&M, also need better execution at the quarterback position. Dylan Meier, who started the opener, sat on the bench last week while Allen Webb got the start. But neither was effective, and who would get the most playing time against Louisiana-Lafayette remained unclear.

Less than a year ago the Wildcats suffered a nonconference loss at home that sent Kansas State spiraling into a three-game losing streak. But all along, coach Bill Snyder maintained Kansas State could still accomplish its goals. The result: a seven-game winning streak and Big 12 title. That’s the same thing he’s preaching now.

“A year ago I stood in the locker room in Stillwater, Okla., and said we can still be a good football team,” Snyder said. “Is it a greater uphill battle now? Yes, it is.”

That’s because Snyder realizes the inefficiencies in a team that many picked to win the Big 12 North. Fresno State out-gained the Wildcats 400 to 180, dominated on special teams and handed the Wildcats their most lopsided loss since 1991.

“We’ve lost ball games before, and we’ve played poorly before,” Snyder said. “Have we performed as poorly as we did this past weekend? I don’t know if I can recall.”