It is the clash of two rival universities: the farm kids versus the preps, the country versus the city, the friendly versus the not-so-friendly.

At least, that’s the word on the street.

It’s “the battle of the state,” Manhattan resident Ritchey Farrell said of the age-old rivalry.

And though the Jayhawks and the Wildcats dwell only 85 miles apart, those in both towns often see a world of difference.

When folks in the Little Apple think of Lawrence, words like “preppy” or “prestigious” often arise. KU is not the red and blue, but the crimson and the royal blue to be precise.

“In Lawrence, they have a give-in prestigious attitude for some reason,” said K-State senior Khad Crabbe of Bronx, N.Y. “I would say the people here at K-State are more approachable.”

Ditto according to K-State senior Nick Enlow of Overland Park. To Enlow, KU folks loathe Wildcats more than the other way around.

“KU people have more of a sense of dominance over us,” he said. “They want to pick on us.”

In size, the schools aren’t dramatically different. K-State’s fall enrollment this year is 23,100, while KU’s is 26,800, not including KU Medical Center.

Manhattan is less populous, with 44,733 residents in 2003 compared with Lawrence’s 82,120.

Wildcats in Manhattan look east and see a more urban community in Lawrence, one often associated with Johnson County.

“Students from KU are more likely to have the nicer cars, nicer clothes because they’re from Johnson County, most likely,” said Lindsey McAtee, a Manhattan resident who works in Aggieville. “Most of the students from K-State are more likely to be from smaller towns and have the trucks and the hand-me-down cars.”

And many pick up on Lawrence’s political reputation of being an island of blue in a sea of red.

“I think the student body influences both towns, but I think Lawrence is more influenced by students from a liberal background because I believe they draw their student body from both coasts where people tend to be a bit more liberal than they are in the Midwest,” said Norman Warders, a retiree living in Manhattan.

Tiffany Buck, a K-State graduate student from McPherson, sees something similar.

“It seems like there’s a lot of hippies there,” she said.

When Jayhawks consider Wildcats, they see, well, the opposite of urban.

“It’s sort of like a country, backward type of town with not a whole lot to offer and kind of a lame college town compared to Lawrence,” said Adam Clark, a KU junior from Overland Park.

KU senior Becky Strathman of Seneca said going to the K-State campus reminds her of going back to high school.

“I feel like (K-State students) don’t experience anything new outside of what they have experienced the rest of their life and in high school and stuff,” Strathman said. “I think we’re more open to things than K-State students are.”

Who’s the more loyal fan? Well, that’s an issue both sides are willing to arm wrestle over.

“The K-State fans are some of the most loyal fans anywhere,” said K-State senior Jordan Essenburg of Dodge City. “They’ll go anywhere to watch our guys play – anywhere in the United States. Whether it’s raining out, snowing out, they’re there with purple on, ready to back us no matter what happens.”

Oh, but so are the Jayhawks, they say.

“The KU fans are supportive no matter how the season is going,” KU junior Jamie Shaw, a Lawrence native, said. “It probably helps that we win a lot.”

Some differences between the cities:

Manhattan

K-State fall 2006 enrollment: 23,141

Percentage of K-State students from Kansas: 80.8 percent in 2005

2003 population: 44,733

Top two employers: K-State with more than 5,500 employees; Fort Riley with more than 4,100 civilian personnel.

2005 median family income: $55,500

2005 average home sale price: $163,918

Lawrence

KU fall 2006 enrollment: 26,773

Percentage of KU students from Kansas: 69.6

2003 Population: 82,120

Top two employers: KU with more than 9,300 employees; Pearson Government Solutions with 1,800 employees.

2005 median family income: $62,200

2005 average home sale price: $187,465

Riley County Political Climate

Boyda or Ryun for 2nd District? Boyda received 48.42 percent; Ryun received 50.53 percent.

Sebelius or Barnett for governor? Sebelius, 59.18 percent; Barnett, 37.76 percent.

Kline or Morrison for attorney general? Morrison, 60 percent; Kline, 40 percent.

Douglas County Political Climate

Boyda or Ryun for 2nd District? Boyda received 61.04 percent; Ryun received 37.63 percent.

Sebelius or Barnett for governor? Sebelius, 76.76 percent; Barnett, 21.62 percent.

Kline or Morrison for attorney general? Morrison, 75.16 percent; Kline, 24.62 percent.