Kansas St Wildcats 2026 College Football Preview
Posted July 30, 2026
2025 Recap
Record – 6-6
ATS – 5-7
It was a tough season for the Wildcats as they never found their stride, starting with a heartbreaking loss to Iowa St in Dublin, Ireland to open the college football season. In fact, when you look back at the season, you’ll realize they only beat one FBS team with a winning record (TCU). Head coach Chris Klieman did some fine work during his time in Manhattan, but he stepped down after the season and the Cats turned down a bowl invite. The 6-6 record was their worst showing since the 2020 PLANDEMIC season when they finished with a mark of 4-6.
However, there’s hope on the horizon as Kansas St legend Collin Klein takes over the coaching reins, and he could be just the guy to get things rolling.
Kansas St Wildcats 2026 Outlook
OFFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Big 12):
- Scoring: 29.4 PPG (#8)
- Total Offense: 370.1 YPG (#13)
- Rushing: 171.3 YPG (#8)
- Passing: 198.8 YPG (#14)
- Sacks Allowed: 13 (#2)
Avery Johnson is back at quarterback for the Wildcats, and is it just us, or does it seem like he’s been in Manhattan for ten years? Anyhoo, Johnson is a dynamic dual-threat specimen with elite wheels and a decent command of the THROW GAME (48-16 career TD to INT, 22 rush TDs). Hopefully, his completion percentage (59%) and down-to-down consistency improve with offensive mastermind Collin Klein running the show.
There’s more good news at tailback with the return of RB1 Joe Jackson (911 yds, 5.4 YPC, 8 TDs) and plenty of depth behind him — including former Oklahoma St Cowboy Rodney Fields Jr. (614 yds, 5.0 YPC), who was one of the lone bright spots in Stillwater last season. The Cats boast one of the premier tight end duos in the Big 12 with Garrett Oakley (389 yds, 6 TDs) and former five-star talent Linkon Cure waiting in the wings. The wideout room won’t strike fear in opposing DBs, but Jaron Tibbs and Missouri transfer Joshua Manning are reliable options with good size.
The offensive line must replace four starters, including All-Universe center Sam Hecht, but there’s little reason to panic. They boast serious GIRTH across the interior and return veteran John Pastore at left tackle.
DEFENSE
2025 By The Numbers (Big 12):
- Scoring: 26.7 PPG (#11)
- Total Defense: 386.2 YPG (#10)
- Rushing Defense: 163.8 YPG (#10)
- Passing Defense: 222.4 YPG (#12)
- Sacks: 28 (#5)
The defense took a notable step backward last year, particularly when it came to stopping the run. There’s still some uncertainty in the air as they have a less experienced DC in Jordan Peterson, and a lot of work to do when it comes to retooling the first two levels.
Up front, things look a bit sketchy as they’ve gotta replace almost everyone, and the transfer portal haul wasn’t exactly spectacular. There are a few decent additions on the interior, but the only noteworthy defensive line addition was probably DE Wendell Gregory (4 sacks, 12 TFL, 7 QBH), who had an excellent 2025 campaign with Oklahoma St. It’s a similar situation in the LB room, where it’s a bit of a leap of faith to expect the new faces to produce at a higher level than last year. One guy who will almost certainly be a difference-maker is Mekhi Mason, who filled up the stat sheets last year with Louisiana Tech (68 tackles, 14.5 TFL, 4 PBU).
The secondary is probably the strongest unit on this side of the football, and they’ve got a particularly strong CB room with guys like Zashon Rich (44 tackles, 11 PBU, INT) and Donovan McIntosh handling wide receivers. We’re not as sure about the safeties, but we’ll have to see how things play out.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Special teams should remain a bright spot, led by reliable placekicker Luis Rodriguez (13/15 FG, 42/42 XP). However, they’ll need to find a new spark in the return game after KR Bryce Noernberg (29.0, TD) left the program following spring practice.
Schedule Analysis
Overall – Yes, guy.
The Wildcats got a YUUUGE break from the scheduling gods as they’re blessed with a soft non-conference slate and a DREAM draw in Big 12 action. K-State avoids Texas Tech, Utah, and BYU, while getting Arizona and Houston at home. They also have manageable road trips to Colorado and the corpse of Iowa St on the docket.
Potential ATS Trouble Spot – at Arizona St (Oct 24)
We aren’t even joking when we say this might be the toughest game on the schedule. As a fun side note: the last time Kansas St traveled out to Tempe, they got drilled 31-CACK. Sure, that was all the way back in 1989, but it makes for great trivia, yo.
Season Win Total
Market consensus – July 30
Over 8.5 +105
Under 8.5 -135
MEGALOCKS says:
Lean: Under
The soft schedule gives them a high floor, but with this much turnover on defense, asking for nine wins is a wee bit of a stretch.
Note – Our official list of season win total investments will be posted in the blog section of the website.
MEGAmazing Tidbits
Forget Times Square — Manhattan, Kansas prefers its NYE celebration on a slightly smaller scale. Known nationwide as “The Little Apple,” the town fully embraces its mini-NYC moniker. Every New Year’s Eve, thousands flood the iconic Aggieville district to watch an actual illuminated APPLE DROP at midnight. It’s like New York City without the communism, violent crime, and smell of rotting garbage.
Kansas St is 23-10 ATS (70%) in the role of road underdog over the last 10 years, but they’re a dismal 5-13 ATS (28%) as a road favorite over that same time horizon. DEGENERATE NATION: Be advised.
MEGALOCKS Forecast:
It’s time to start a new era of Kansas State football, and we’re excited to see what former Wildcats QB Collin Klein can do as the head coach. The Cats roll into the season with a talented veteran quarterback and some decent pieces sprinkled throughout the roster, but this looks more like a “good bowl team” than a true Big 12 contender. It’s not unthinkable that they could get on a major HEATER given the soft schedule, but we expect some bumps in the road and anticipate bigger things in 2027.
Fight, You K-State Wildcats!