Top 25 in 25: Kansas State Football Season Preview

Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports / Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

We’re counting down the final 25 days before the college football season by previewing every one of our preseason top 25 teams! With 18 days left until week zero, we continue our previews with my No. 18 team in the country – the Kansas State Wildcats.

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Projected Record: 10-2 (7-2)

Ceiling/Floor: 11-1/7-5

Projected Wins: Iowa State, North Dakota, Army, Arizona, UCF, TCU, Kansas, Oklahoma State, Colorado, Baylor

Projected Losses: Texas Tech, Utah

Most Intriguing Game: vs Iowa State (Week 0, in Ireland)

Kansas State will likely be in the thick of the Big 12 championship once again in 2025, but can they get over the hump for the first time since 2022 and win the league title? Head coach Chris Klieman has built the Wildcats into probably the most consistently good team in the conference, and has proven he can win a conference title, so they’re maybe the safest bet in the most wide open and unpredictable conference in America.

Offensively, K-State will almost certainly live and die by quarterback Avery Johnson this fall as they did a season ago. Johnson has shown flashes of greatness at K-State – both with his arm and legs, but he’s also had some head-scratching mistakes that cost the Wildcats some games, so if Johnson can avoid the latter, Kansas State is clear the favorite hoist the Big 12 championship trophy for the second time in four years. With running back Dylan Edwards returning as well, the Wildcats should have one of the top rushing attacks in the country once again in 2025. Outside of wide receiver Jayce Brown, the receiving core and offensive line have question marks with new pieces though, and may make the offense one-dimensional.

The defense should remain toward the top of the conference again as they always are under Klieman. The front seven, led by star linebacker Austin Romaine, will be the strength of the unit this fall, but the secondary will have to answer some questions before K-State will be a certified Big 12 and playoff contender.

A huge week zero matchup with Iowa State in Ireland looms to start the season, as maybe the two most consistent Big 12 programs over the last 5-10 years will square off in what will have massive conference title implications before the season even takes its first breath. The winner will likely be the early favorite to win the conference while the loser will be in desperation mode for the foreseeable future.

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