Could Kansas State Wildcats Enter Rankings With A Win Next Weekend?

Collin Klein is off to a solid start in his first season with the Kansas State Wildcats. 

He is 2-0 after wins against the Nicholls Cowboys and Washington State Cougars. The victories have been by combined a score of 105-10. The defense has yet to give up a touchdown, with the only score coming on an interception return last week against the Cougars. 

"So very, very proud of our guys," said Klein, who is coaching the school where he was a star quarterback during the early 2010s. "I think we're headed in the right direction in a lot of areas, but there's also a lot that we have to do better as coaches to detail to help take this group where they can go.”

The next step is making an appearance in the college football rankings. After being unranked in both polls, the Wildcats made some progress. They appeared in the "Others Receiving Votes" section for the AP Poll, grabbing one vote. In the American Football Coaches Association Poll, they got a little more love. They received 24 votes. 

It may take at least a victory this weekend against the Tulane Green Wave for the Wildcats to have any shot at reaching the Top 25 in either poll. Most likely, K-State has to start 4-0 to make the full leap. That means defeating the Green Wave and Cincinnati Bears in the Big 12 opener.

For now, the Wildcats should just be content with the baby steps the program has taken under Klein, who is a first-time head coach. After spending two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Texas A & M Aggies, he was given this opportunity when ex-coach Chris Klieman stepped down following a disappointing 6-6 season. 

It was a no-brainer for the Wildcats to go after Klein, who calls this his dream job. If the Wildcats keep progressing, it could lead to a conference title or even a berth in the College Football Playoff. 

Many are already calling the Wildcats one of the top sleeper teams in the country. Everything is in place for them to make Klein's first season a huge success. 

MORE KANSAS STATE NEWS 

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Kansas State hosted a huge group of recruits Saturday, including top quarterback

K-State quarterback Avery Johnson acknowledges early-season missteps 

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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]