GAME NOTES: The 13th-ranked Missouri Tigers have seemingly become an afterthought in the Big 12, but they will play host to league foe Kansas State this weekend.

At 4-5 overall, the Wildcats need a strong finish just to earn bowl eligibility. Since starting the season with a 4-2 mark, K-State has suffered three consecutive defeats, including two straight by wide margins. Last week, the club was simply overmatched in a 52-21 loss to Kansas. After Saturday's clash, Kansas State will play its final two regular season contests at home against Nebraska and Iowa State, both of which are winnable games.

Missouri opened the season with five straight victories and appeared to be a legitimate contender for the national title. Unfortunately, consecutive losses to Oklahoma State and Texas crushed that dream. Rather than pout, however, the Tigers have beaten Colorado and Baylor the last two weeks to get back on track. The 31-28 decision over the Bears last weekend in Waco was a bit too close for comfort, but in the talent-packed Big 12, a road victory by any margin has to be viewed as a positive.

Missouri holds a commanding 57-31-5 series lead over Kansas State, including back-to-back victories over the Wildcats.

Kansas State quarterback Josh Freeman is an impressive physical specimen, built similar to Jamarcus Russell of the NFL's Oakland Raiders. Freeman is on the radar of every pro team because of his size, arm strength and athleticism. So far this season, he has completed 61.1 percent of his passes for 2,431 yards and 15 touchdowns against eight interceptions. He has also run for 13 touchdowns while averaging 4.1 ypc. The top receiver for the club is Brandon Banks, who has made 48 catches for 883 yards and seven touchdowns. Through nine outings, the Wildcats are averaging 36.6 ppg and 418.2 total ypg, impressive numbers by any standards. The club is making good on 43 percent of its third down conversion attempts, but its total of 21 turnovers is a bit high.

Against Kansas last weekend, Freeman was intercepted three times and failed to register a touchdown with his arm or his legs. Lamark Brown ran for three scores for the Wildcats, but he averaged fewer than four yards per rushing attempt against the Jayhawks. "We have to identify exactly who we are as a team," said Freeman. "We need everyone to rally and get on the same page. We'll go into Missouri, it's going to be a tough one, but I think we'll bounce back and be ready to play."

Opponents are scoring 33.7 ppg against Kansas State, which is being victimized for 444.7 total ypg. The Wildcats are yielding 209.7 rushing yards per contest on an average of 5.0 yards per carry, and foes have already scored 22 rushing touchdowns in nine outings. The pass defense hasn't been any better, having surrendered 18 touchdowns while intercepting only five throws. Opponents have been able to make good on 44 percent of their third down conversion attempts, an unacceptable figure. Ulla Pomele is tied for the team lead with 52 total tackles, including 6.5 for loss. Brandon Harold has 10.5 TFLs to his credit.

K-State was dominated along the line of scrimmage by Kansas last weekend, as the Wildcats surrendered 280 rushing yards and six touchdowns on the ground. In all, KSU yielded 469 yards and seven touchdowns in what was a poor overall showing. "We were not well coached today and that is my responsibility and the people of Kansas State deserve better than this," said head coach Ron Prince after the ugly setback. "It is about as bad of a loss that I have been associated with, particularly the way we played in the first half."

Like Kansas State, Missouri has a big-time quarterback as well. Chase Daniel was a major Heisman candidate early on, and while he has seemingly fallen out of contention, the senior signal caller still boasts some highly impressive numbers. Daniel has completed a staggering 77.2 percent of his passes for 2,993 yards with 26 touchdowns and eight interceptions. He has tossed some costly interceptions recently, but Daniel is still one of the best in the nation at his position. It certainly helps to have Jeremy Maclin in the fold, as the multi-purpose threat has caught 63 balls for 831 yards and seven touchdowns in addition to his contributions as a runner and return specialist. Chase Coffman has 73 receptions for 819 yards and seven scores, and Derrick Washington has rushed for 708 yards and 13 touchdowns.

In the narrow victory over Baylor last time out, Missouri racked up 490 yards of total offense. Sure, Daniel was intercepted twice in that clash, but he completed 30-of-38 passes for 318 yards and three touchdowns. "The only time that they stopped us was on the two turnovers," said Daniel. "That can't happen, especially in the red zone, but we were able to pull it off today." Coffman tallied 10 catches for 75 yards and two scores, and Tommy Sanders hauled in seven balls for 109 yards and one touchdown."

Opponents are scoring 23.6 ppg against Missouri, which is yielding 390.3 total ypg. Of the 27 touchdowns that the Tigers have surrendered to opposing offenses, 17 have come through the air. Missouri is giving up 11.3 yards per pass completion and 272.8 passing yards per outing. The defense has been much better against the run, holding foes to 3.1 yards per carry. Sean Weatherspoon is an outstanding defender who has made 97 tackles, including 13.5 TFLs. He has 3.5 sacks to his credit as well as three interceptions.

Baylor racked up 438 total yards against Missouri last weekend and scored four offensive touchdowns. The Tigers struggled against the pass more so than the run as usual. Fortunately, Missouri came up with two takeaways. "They got a lot of yards off of screens and we just have to do a better job of stopping that," said Missouri linebacker Brock Christopher. "It was a win against a Big 12 team on the road, and whether you win by 100 or 3, a win is a win."

Missouri is simply a better team than Kansas State and has the obvious advantage of playing at home. Expect Daniel and company to jump on top early and never look back.

Sports Network Predicted Outcome: Missouri 42, Kansas State 21