2026 Kansas State Football Preview
Jake Wimberly
Abby Boyd Contributing-
What’s to like:
Chris Klieman has built a stable program at Kansas State, and that consistency remains one of the Wildcats' biggest strengths. Kansas State has developed a clear identity and rarely looks completely unprepared regardless of the opponent. That stability gives the Wildcats a chance to remain competitive in a conference that has become increasingly unpredictable.
The defense has also shown an ability to create turnovers, giving Kansas State extra possessions and opportunities to change the momentum of games. That is especially important for a team that prefers to play a physical, controlled style. Kansas State also continues to develop its roster well, which should help the team remain competitive even after losing key contributors.
What’s not to like:
The run defense needs to improve. Kansas State can't consistently allow opponents to control the line of scrimmage and expect to win against the better teams in the conference. Stopping the run will be particularly important against teams that rely on physical rushing attacks.
The Wildcats also need more production from the passing game. If defenses can focus too heavily on stopping the run, Kansas State's offense becomes easier to defend. Finding more consistency through the air would give the offense another dimension.
What does the Hourglass say?
Kansas State- Big 12 (12-0)
Power ranking 66.44.
2026 Kansas State Analytics
National recruiting rating (three year metric): #24- outside the boundary of a National Championship Roster.
National Coaching Ranking:
Collin Klein- 45th in Power 5 and 10th in the Big 12.
2026 coaching value= 16.2 (average 2026 Power 5 coaching value=21.93) Collin Klein is ranked lower of the pack for coaches in the Power 5.
Quarterback Play: Avery Johnson- ranked 16th in the Power 4, 3rd in the Big 12; 2026 QB value=41.1 (Power 4 average- 26.43).
Impact Ball Catcher Metric: Kansas State has an Impact Ball Catcher Metric of . This puts the Wildcats at the lower tier for the Big 12 in this metric.
Final Thoughts:
Kansas State has the stability and player development to remain competitive in the Big 12, and its defense has shown an ability to create turnovers. The Wildcats still need to improve against the run and find more consistency in the passing game. If those areas improve, Kansas State should have a chance to stay in the conference race.
2026 Schedule analysis:
Projected Hourglass W/L record: Games in red denote games that could be a one possession game or even a different outcome than projection.
9/5/26 Nicholls- Win
9/12/26 Washington State- Win
9/19/26 Tulane- Win
9/26/26 At Cincinnati- Win
10/10/26 Houston- Win
10/17/26 Kansas- Win
10/24/26 At Arizona State- Win
10/31/26 At Colorado- Win
11/7/26 Oklahoma State- Win
11/14/26 At TCU- Win
11/21/26 Arizona- Win
11/28/26 At Iowa State- Win
