By ARNE GREEN

Salina Journal

MANHATTAN -- Grant Gregory is learning that sometimes the best thing he can do as Kansas State's quarterback is simply get out of the way.

The Wildcats have built their success this season on a strong running game, and at 6-4 overall and first in the big 12 North at 4-2, they probably won't alter that formula much when they face Missouri at 11:30 a.m. at Snyder Family Stadium.

"I think we're gaining confidence every week," Gregory said. "We've found our offensive identity -- run the ball downhill, be physical -- and defensively, our defense has been playing awesome all year and finding ways to stop people and we're figuring out what the best way to win is.

"Every week we can improve on that."

With a victory today, K-State would become bowl eligible for the first time since 2006. Missouri (5-4, 1-4) also can claim postseason eligibility by beating the Wildcats.

The Wildcats, who rank 23rd nationally in rushing at 190.7 yards a game, will face a stiff test today against a Missouri defense that's 17th against the run. It could well turn into a battle of wills.

"They're a good run defense," Gregory said of the Tigers, who allow 102.1 yards a game on the ground. "They're big up front, their defensive ends are very long and athletic, and obviously they have one of the best linebackers in the nation in (Sean) Weatherspoon.

"It's strength against strength. Hopefully, we can win that battle, and it will go a long way toward who will win this game."

Weatherspoon, who ranks second in the Big 12 with 9.3 tackles per game and seventh in tackles with loss at 1.28, agreed that shutting down K-State's ground game is a key.

"They're going to come out and run the ball at you -- that's just what they do," he said. "That's the Big 12 North.

"They're going to try to run the ball down our throat, and as a front seven, you live for those games."

So do the Wildcats, who feature the Big 12's leading rusher in Daniel Thomas, who raised his season average to 108.7 yards a game after exploding for 185 yards in last week's 17-10 victory over Kansas.

"It's something that offensive linemen can appreciate, to line up and run the ball as much as we do," said left tackle Nick Stringer. "It's fun."

It might not be as fun for Gregory, though since taking over as the starting quarterback for Carson Coffman in the Big 12 opener against Iowa State, he has been prominent in the run game.

"When the offensive line and Daniel are rolling as well as they have, it takes a lot of pressure off my back,' Gregory said. "That game (against Kansas) I didn't have to make many plays, I just had to make sure we didn't turn the ball over and got the ball to Daniel.

"Obviously, I'd like to make more plays, but trying not to force things (is important)."

While K-State's success in predicated on the ground game, Missouri has had most of its offensive success through the air. The Tigers rank 21st nationally in passing with 275.8 yards a game, but only average 111 rushing.

Missouri also has fallen on hard times since winning its four nonconference games, dropping four of five in the Big 12.

The most devastating was a 40-32 home loss last week against Baylor.

"We got stung pretty good Saturday, so we're just going to focus on getting better," said MU coach Gary Pinkel. "We've got to play better."

Quarterback Blaine Gabbert has thrown for 2,364 yards and 17 touchdowns with seven interceptions. Receiver Danario Alexander has 71 catches for 1,038 yards and eight touchdowns.

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