Colorado @ KANSAS ST.- 17

Sixth-ranked Kansas State gets the next two weeks to prove its worth to the nation. After all but rolling through their first eight games with but one scare, the Wildcats host Colorado in the first of two huge Big 12 Conference North games that will go a long way in deciding their post season fate. Kansas State (8-0, 5-0 Big 12 North) was forced to extend itself in a 35-28 victory over Iowa State on September 25 but has been pointing to this two-week stretch all season. The Wildcats visit Nebraska next weekend. To remain unbeaten, the Wildcats will have do something they never have done before, beat the Buffaloes (5-3, 4-1) for the third consecutive time. They posted a 37-20 victory in 1997 and a 16-9 triumph last season.

The Buffaloes have been tested in recent weeks. On October 23 they allowed Darren Davis to run wild but had enough to post a 16-12 victory over Iowa State. Last weekend, Mike Moschetti threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns and Colorado contained Oklahoma's high-powered offense in a 38-24 win over the Sooners. The games do not get much bigger than this for Colorado, which will try and end Kansas State's 50-game winning streak against unranked opponents. But the Buffaloes are not a typical unranked team. Moschetti's one-week absence from post-concussion headaches is behind him, now he gets another headache in the form of the nation's best defense against the pass. He needs to get the ball to Javon Green and Marcus Stiggers, who have combined for 57 catches, 891 yards and eight touchdowns. Green caught three passes for a career-high 133 yards against Oklahoma.

Kansas State counters with a secondary that features cornerbacks Jerametrius Butler and Dyshod Carter and safeties Lamar Chapman and Jarrod Cooper. On offense, the Wildcats rely heavily on Jonathan Beasley, who has thrown for nearly 1,500 yards while carrying 90 times for 174 yards.

Moschetti has been sharp as a machete in carving up secondaries, and his decision making has been right on the money. Barnett is pleased at the preparation of his Buffs. Barnett has them heading in the right direction. That direction is right toward a bowl berth and this game will go right down to the wire. Take the generous points, sit back and watch the Buffs give the Cats all they can handle.

KANSAS ST. by 7  WINNER
Kansas St Wins 20-14