MU looks for upper hand in Big 12 North race today against Wild

MANHATTAN, Kan. -- Kansas State ruined Missouri's postseason hopes in 2001 and 2002. This year, the Tigers would love to pay the Wildcats back -- and add even more luster to their own surprising season.

In each of the past two seasons, the Tigers went into the Kansas State game -- the regular-season finale -- needing a win for bowl eligibility. Each time, the Wildcats denied them.

Both teams are already locks for bowl bids, regardless of the outcome of today's game in Manhattan -- but there's something even bigger at stake this year.

No. 19 Kansas State, the preseason favorite to win the Big 12 North title, can complete its turnaround from a three-game losing streak and clinch the division with a win.

"We have the chance to do something special and finish the season off really nice," linebacker Josh Buhl said. "It feels good to be back on track."

But a win by Missouri, picked fourth in the preseason, would derail Kansas State's title hopes and leave the surprising Tigers one game away from winning the North.

Beat the Wildcats, and only overmatched Iowa State stands between Missouri and the Big 12 championship game against No. 1 Oklahoma on Dec. 6 in Kansas City, Mo.

"We've got a huge opportunity. I've never been in this position since I've been here," Missouri center A.J. Ricker said. "With the attitude of the players, the pep in everyone's step around here, this is it. We're going to put all the marbles on this game and just let it go."

Kansas State is 9-3 overall and 5-2 in Big 12 play after losing its first two conference games. Missouri is one-and-one-half games back at 3-3 in the Big 12 -- and at 7-3 overall, has already guaranteed its best record since going 8-4 in 1998.

Since 1993, Missouri has scored just 35 points in five games in Manhattan.

"I think it's very important to have homefield advantage, because we've got a great crowd that can make things difficult for other teams," Kansas State center Nick Leckey said. "But at the same time, you can't get overconfident and just think you can roll your hat out there and things will just happen because of who you are."