Kansas State's past few months haven't been ideal from a roster standpoint, losing a good chunk of its star players amid already trying to regroup from last year's rollercoaster.
But many media outlets still have a lot of belief in the program, despite the down year and the quick coaching transition. CBS Sports was the latest to laud the Wildcats, giving them an over/under of 7.5 wins from last season. This puts them in a better position than last year, with the popular outlet tying them with Houston and Arizona.
The article wrote:
"We've been able to set our watch to Kansas State for the better part of 30 years, but things bottomed out in a disappointing final season for Chris Klieman. Incoming coach Collin Klein should be a godsend for quarterback Avery Johnson, but the defense has serious questions after numerous contributors entered the transfer portal. The program will get back to a bowl game, but pushing for eight is a bridge too far."
WINS: Washington State, Arizona, Nicholls, Tulane, Iowa State, Kansas
LOSSES: Oklahoma State, Cincinnati, TCU, Arizona State, Colorado, Houston
Even amid the transfer portal losses, Kansas State does still have some things in its favor. Picking Collin Klein as the head coach, a man who's had success both under center and on the sidelines, is a good start. Klein won the Big 12 championship as a quarterback in 2012 and then again as an offensive coordinator in 2022. An offensive mastermind will help the Wildcats move past the early-season disaster they experienced in 2025.
Their schedule is also relatively favorable, with all relatively beatable teams. The only squads that stand out as immediate threats are Houston and Arizona. As the year develops, the narrative could shift, but it seems to be relatively smooth sailing for now.
Kansas State also reciprocated its departures with star power of its own. While the additions aren't to the level of guys like Austin Romaine, Tobi Osunsanmi, or Jayce Brown, they're still major pieces that can help the Wildcats rebound. Names like Wendell Gregory, Rodney Fields Jr., and Mehki Mason can help restore the Wildcats squad we're used to seeing.
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