College football is just under four months away, but many can't wait for the 2026 season to start.
We're already getting some way-too-early predictions for both regular season and postseason in the collegiate realm. CBS Sports did an article predicting Kansas State's bowl opponent more than seven months before the actual contest. The popular news outlet pinned the Wildcats taking on Wisconsin in the Rate Bowl.
Honestly, this could be a positive in and of itself for the program. Kansas State won just six games last season after being projected as a Big 12 title contender. Some have the Wildcats heading in different directions in 2026, with outsiders, fans, and analysts either pinning them as a conference threat or a borderline basement dweller. The program is drawing more attention with spring ball development and the hype of Collin Klein as the head coach.
Klein has Big 12 championship aspirations, which are backed by his title victories as both a quarterback (2012) and offensive coordinator (2022).
"I love challenges and doing hard things," Klein said in his opening press conference. "To go and take this program where it’s never been is gonna be hard. I want it to be hard, I want it to be difficult. We’re gonna attack it together as a staff, as a fanbase, and as an administration, and we’re gonna take this program where it hasn’t been before."
Klein is satisfied with the direction the program is headed after the last few months, despite the outflow of star players during the transfer portal window.
"We feel pretty good with where we're at coming out of spring," Klein said in his second spring ball press conference. "There's a long way to go, but I think the steps are being taken on practicing with more familiarity. The level of intensity, finish, and detail that we expect is growing. It's been a very physical spring, which is good for developing. The ability to block and tackle has progressively gotten better. The relationships are continuing to grow, and trust and continuity are a big thing."
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