High Stakes for Nebraska Versus Kansas State

By now every fan knows that the winner of the NU-KSU matchup this week is the Big 12 North champion and will likely face the Texas Longhorns who need a win in just one of their two remaining games (or an Oklahoma State loss) to win the Big 12 South. Since winning the division is the primary regular season goal for every team in the conference, that makes the game a high stakes contest. But it's not the only reason the stakes are high.

The Wildcats would not only miss out on a division championship with a loss, they'd also miss out on a bowl. Two of Kansas State's six wins so far have come against FCS (formerly division I-AA) teams and only one can count toward the six win minimum needed for bowl eligibility. Kansas State would then have missed out on bowls in three straight seasons and in five out of its last six. Not the kind of track record that brings recruits to your school in droves.

Beyond the bowl issues, K-State is set to lose eight starters to graduation including quarterback Grant Gregory, kick return threat and top receiver Brandon Banks, their second most productive receiver Attrail Snipes, their third most productive receiver in tight end Jeron Mastrud, their running back with the best yards per carry in Keithen Valentine, their best pass rusher in defensive end Jeff Fitzgerald, their best interior lineman in nose tackle Daniel Calvin (and his backup), and their best linebackers in John Houlik and Ulla Pomele. This was the year to make some noise and build some momentum before having to rebuild at so many spots. Instead they could be stuck with a 0.500 record and nothing to be excited about.

Nebraska certainly needs to win the game as well. A return to the conference title game means a return to relevance. It positions the Huskers for one of the better bowl games (like the Fiesta, Cotton, or Holiday). NU can remain in the coaches top 25 and claw their way back into the AP poll. All of this would be progress over where the Huskers were a year ago at this time. To squander a chance to clinch the division at home against a team with a lesser record (against lesser competition), would be devastating. It would mean the team was really no better than last year. Plus, it's senior day. You want to see Ndamukong Suh, Jacob Hickman, and company go out the right way.

Nebraska may take the field as a two touchdown favorite. But the only thing that will matter is which team executes better. If the Wildcats can continue their pattern of big kick returns and forcing turnovers, it could be a battle to the end. If the Huskers play to their potential, it might not be close. Two teams with everything to play for and seemingly everything to lose. They don't get much bigger than that.