During his six-year collegiate career, senior quarterback Grant Gregory has seen a lot. But the situation K-State will face this weekend is like nothing the well-traveled veteran has ever experienced.

"It's kind of nuts," Gregory said. "I've never seen anything like this before, but it's certainly a great opportunity."

It hasn't been the prettiest road, but the path is clear for the Wildcats. A win against Nebraska Saturday in Lincoln, Neb., clinches the Big 12 North division title, as well as bowl eligibility. A loss gives the Cornhuskers the division title and leaves K-State one win short of qualifying for a bowl game.

Long story short: A victory gives the Wildcats two more games. A loss ends their season.

"Going to a bowl — it would be awesome," Gregory said. "I've been fortunate enough to go to four straight. Bowl games are awesome; just the opportunity for the seniors to play an extra game. In this case, it would be two extra games."

Statistically, K-State appears to be playing Nebraska at the wrong time. The Huskers, who currently own a half-game lead in the division standings, have reeled off three straight wins, including last weekend's 31-17 win against Kansas in Lawrence. K-State, which led the division for six straight weeks, is coming off a 38-12 loss to last-place Missouri.

Junior kicker Josh Cherry, who accounted for all of the Wildcats' points last weekend, said K-State has not lost its composure despite losing ground in the race with the Huskers.

"I think the focus is a lot more there," Cherry said. "It's got to be. I can tell you by the way people are talking around the locker room. Everybody's saying, ‘We've got to get this win. We need this. I want this so bad.' That just tells me that we're going to give everything we have this weekend."

The Wildcats will likely have to be flawless, as there is little room for error against a Nebraska defense ranked third in the country in points allowed. The Huskers' resurgent defensive unit, once known as the "Blackshirts," has been led this season by defensive tackles Ndamukong Suh and Jared Crick. The duo has combined for 14 sacks and 27 tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

"Both of their inside guys, Crick and Suh, are both real big, solid guys," said junior offensive lineman Zach Kendall. "Strong, athletic, good moves. Everything you hear is true."

Senior Nick Stringer, Kendall's fellow offensive lineman, echoed his teammate's thoughts and added he's being fueled by the memory of K-State's lopsided 73-31 loss in Lincoln in 2007.

"It was an embarrassing football game for our program," Stringer said. "It's something that's kind of in the back of my mind. This is a very big game. We didn't play well last weekend, but fortunately, there's still a lot at stake for this next game."

Fans not making the trip to Lincoln can catch the game live on ESPN, as the network elected to televise the game as part of its national package. Kickoff is slated for 6:45 p.m.