The 2026 college football season is shaping up to be a defining year for the Kansas State Wildcats, as a consensus of national analysts predicts the program could break into the upper tier of the Big 12.
Expert Rankings
Phil Steele’s preseason assessment places the Wildcats in the middle of the conference, acknowledging uncertainty on the offensive and defensive lines while highlighting a secondary that earned preseason all‑conference honors, with John Pastore and Wendell Gregory recognized as the team’s lone first‑team performers.
Athlon Magazine ranks Kansas State fifth in the league, projecting a Liberty Bowl matchup against Auburn, but notes that the defense must improve after losing key contributors.
ESPN’s Bill Connelly, using his SP+ metrics, slots the Wildcats fourth in the Big 12 and 29th nationally, praising a schedule that avoids traditional powerhouses such as Texas Tech, Utah and BYU, which should help the team build a winning record in Collin Klein’s inaugural season.
On3 Sports ranks the Wildcats sixth in the conference and points out that Klein, a former Kansas State quarterback and recent offensive coordinator, brings deep familiarity with the roster but lacks head‑coaching experience.
Quarterback Avery Johnson, who posted his best statistical season under Klein’s tutelage, is expected to rebound further, while the defense is projected to take a modest step back early in the year due to turnover.
An anonymous Big 12 assistant coach questions whether Klein will favor the 12‑personnel sets he used at Texas A&M or revert to the 11‑personnel schemes that defined his previous tenure.
Analysts also note that the Wildcats are listed among the nation’s ninth‑most‑improved teams and sit at No. 59 in Steele’s computer model, reflecting optimism about rapid ascent.
With a favorable slate and high expectations, the program is being discussed as a potential conference title and College Football Playoff contender, a narrative that fuels both excitement and skepticism.