The Iowa State and Kansas State football seasons have pretty much been polar opposites of each other, but both teams share one common downfall this season — each team was pummeled by the undefeated Cornhuskers of Nebraska.

ISU (1-9) lost to the Cornhuskers, 77-14, last Saturday, and Kansas State lost at Nebraska, 56-26, on October 4.

Kansas State (9-1) will travel to Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday for a 11:30 a.m. Big 12 Conference game.

“Nebraska did to Iowa State some of the same things they did to us,” Kansas State coach Bill Snyder said. “They are a very good football team that can make you look worse than you really are.”

Nebraska racked up just under 600 offensive yards for the game against ISU and led 63-7 at half- time.

Cyclone coach Dan McCarney somewhat echoed Snyder’s remarks when he said he hopes last week’s loss will help his team prepare for Saturday’s game.

“I think that embarrassment can serve as motivation for a team,” McCarney said. “I don’t think that this program is as bad as Nebraska made us look like.”

Kansas State features quarterback Michael Bishop, who has passed for 1,425 yards and rushed for 468 yards.

Bishop also has thrown for 12 touchdowns and has run for seven touchdowns this season.

ISU defensive back Preston Rhamy compared Bishop to Missouri quarterback Corby Jones. Jones threw four touchdowns and ran in another two touchdowns in a 45-21 victory by Missouri over ISU on Oct. 4.

“[Bishop] is a great athlete with good feet,” Rhamy said. “He reminds you of Corby Jones a lot, except Bishop is a better passer. But Jones and his team are on fire lately.”

All five of Kansas State’s offensive linemen weigh over 300 pounds.

Right tackle Ryan Young is the largest at 325 pounds on a Kansas State offensive line that averages 318 pounds.

“They’re not just big,” McCarney said. “They’re also fast and athletic. That’s what’s so scary.”

In turn, Snyder praised ISU’s offense.

Cyclone receiver Ty Watley leads the Big 12 Conference in receptions and reception yardage with 42 catches for 692 yards.

Teammate Ed Williams is third in the conference in both categories, with 39 receptions for 533 yards. Tailback Darren Davis is third in the league with 939 rushing yards, despite being injured for much of the season.

“I have been impressed with the versatility of the Iowa State offense this season and their ability to move the ball,” Snyder said.

ISU’s passing game will be challenged by the Kansas State defense.

The Wildcats have the top-ranked pass defense in the conference and are ranked sixth nationally. Kansas State is also second-ranked in the conference in total defense to Nebraska and fifth-ranked nationally.

Offensively, KSU is ranked ninth by the Associated Press and has only given up an average of 11 points per game outside of the Nebraska game.