Want to know why Kansas State fans are holding their breath that sophomore quarterback Dylan Meier will be ready to play Saturday?

In his last three games, the 6-foot-3, 210-pounder from Pittsburg, Kan., has completed 57 of 104 passes for 738 yards and six TDs, while throwing one interception. After three games, he averaged just 108.7 yards and had two TDs. Meier had to leave the OU game after being knocked hard to the turf with about six minutes to play.

 "He's a tough-minded youngster. He retains his focus under pressure, and that's what good quarterbacks do," K-State coach Bill Snyder said. "I think he's grown week in and week out, and matured in so many different ways. And his performance has stood the test of time, so far.

"He made some terrific plays (against Oklahoma) through poise and the execution of what he does. He's still making some errors. He missed some great opportunities throughout the course of the ball game — but I'm really proud of how he's grown into the system and matured."

His backup, Allen Webb, has struggled in limited duty. Webb, a transfer from Indiana, is 11-for-28 for just 104 yards, with a TD and two interceptions.

"I don't think we are going to have a problem if he needs to go," sophomore wide receiver Yamon Figurs said of Webb.

SOMETHING'S MISSING: Neither the Wildcats nor the Huskers are ranked entering this year's game. The last time that occurred was in 1968, when Kansas State beat NU 12-0 in Lincoln. Until last year, that was the last time K-State won at NU.

QUOTABLE: "We have better players than this." — senior cornerback Cedrick Williams, after Saturday's 31-21 loss to Oklahoma dropped Kansas State to 2-4.

— Curt McKeever