The Kansas State Wildcats open the Big 12 conference schedule on the road against the Cincinnati Bearcats Sept. 26
The Kansas State Wildcats are two weeks from starting the Big 12 conference season.
It opens Sept. 26 on the road against the Cincinnati Bearcats at Nippert Stadium. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. (CT).
The Wildcats will enter the matchup unbeaten if they can get past the Tulane Green Wave Saturday at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. K-State was picked to finish No. 8 in the conference by the league media while the Bearcats checked in at No. 11.
Series history: This marks the eighth meeting. The Wildcats are 3-4 in the matchups.
2024: Kansas State 41-15
1996: Kansas State 35-0
1995: Kansas State 23-21
1966: Cincinnati 28-14
1965: Cincinnati 21-14
1952: Cincinnati 13-6
1951: Cincinnati 34-20
The Wildcats are off to a 2-0 start under first-year coach Collin Klein. He took over for Chris Klieman, who resigned after a disappointing 6-6 season. After two seasons as the offensive coordinator for the Texas A & M Aggies, Klein is breaking the seal on his first experience as a head coach.
Kansas State opened by crushing the Nicholls Cowboys 71-3, scoring the second most points in school history. That performance was followed by a 34-7 victory against the Washington State Cougars. The Wildcats' defense has yet to allow a touchdown this season. The lone score came on an interception return for a touchdown last week against Washington State.
The Wildcats are hoping to return to national prominence after a few subpar years. Many experts are giving them a chance to win the Big 12 because they have a favorable schedule. They avoided facing the Utah Utes, Texas Tech Red Raiders and BYU Cougars, which are all considered the top three teams in the league. The Wildcats also have most of their big games at home and have one of the league's most experienced quarterbacks in Avery Johnson.
All signs are pointing toward them having a breakthrough in the first year of the Klein era. A win against the Bearcats to open conference play would only keep the momentum going.
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Shandel Richardson is the publisher of KStateRoundtable. He can be reached at [email protected]
