With Kansas State's basketball season over, many fans are turning their attention back to football. A season primed with monumental expectations for both teams ended in disappointment.
Luckily, though, many believe the Wildcats' football program will bounce back in no time. ESPN, one of the biggest believers in Kansas State last year, believes that the return of program legend Collin Klein can help get it back to the promised land.
"The prodigal son is back. Collin Klein, quarterback for K-State's 2012 Big 12 title run and a human third-and-3 conversion, takes over as head coach following Chris Klieman's retirement," the article wrote. "He spent two seasons as Klieman's offensive coordinator before helping lead Texas A&M to the CFP in the same role, and he takes over a squad that lost control of the little things and went 2-5 in one-score finishes on the way to a disappointing 6-6 finish. Klein doesn't have to make huge changes, especially with quarterback Avery Johnson returning, but can he deliver the shot-in-the-arm that brings K-State back near the top of the Big 12?"
ESPN's Bill Connelly says that quarterback Avery Johnson will once again be the biggest X-factor to the team's success.
"He was tentative early last season and seemed to be playing like the pro-style future NFL player he wants to be instead of playing to his strengths. K-State's fortunes improved a bit when he began running more, and one assumes that he'll need to be prepared for a solid number of designed runs with Klein in charge, but if he plays to his capabilities, K-State's a Big 12 contender, plain and simple," he wrote.
The Wildcats struggled in 2025 due to a combination of injuries and disappointing performances across the board. The absence of a competent run game, a decline in defensive play, and Johnson's struggles led to just a six-win season. Kansas State was the staple of consistency and grit in the Big 12, poised to take the next step last season and possibly compete for the postseason.
Alas, it had one of the most miserable seasons in recent memory, barely contending for the bowl game with a .500 record. As Klein returns to the institution at the helm, the hopes are that he returns those conference championship expectations and then some.
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