KANSAS CITY, Mo. — It is rivalry week in the Sunflower State.
“They know us and we know them," said Les Miles, head football coach at the University of Kansas.
KU and Kansas State University kick off Saturday in Manhattan, Kansas, for the 110th season.
“I think it’s a big rivalry and obviously I’ve only been here for one year, but for the state of Kansas, it’s a big deal," said Chris Klieman, head football coach for K-State.
The Sunflower Showdown is the sixth longest-running rivalry in college football.
“It means a lot man. For Kansas, it’s a culture. We gotta go out there and get this dub," said Elijah Jones, cornerback at KU.
The Wildcats have been dominant, winning the last 23 of 27 meetings between the two teams. Coach Klieman said the record won't go to his players' heads.
“We’re not good enough to overlook anybody. Our kids know that. Our guys got to play their tails off to get an opportunity and to continue to prepare and when we prepare really well, we put a good product out on the field," Klieman said.
Last season in Lawrence, Kansas, the Jayhawks fell 38-10.
With the recent opt-out announcement by KU running back Pooka Williams, and the quarterback situation at KU, the Wildcats are favored to win Saturday's match up.
“That will be the interesting thing to see because they haven’t been without him for very many games. I can’t think of any off the top of my head," Klieman said.
The Wildcats say it's just another game, but there is a bit more motivation going into it.
“A lot of us take it personal that we weren’t part of their recruiting," said Jahron McPherson, defensive back for Kansas State.
K-State is looking to show KU what they missed out on and KU is looking to show K-State some competition.
“When they play us, you know that’s their Super Bowl, they’re just going out there and they’re giving it all they have and they have nothing to lose against us so we’re going to get their best shot for sure," said Wyatt Hubert, K-State defensive end.
