Kansas State is now on the doorstep of its football season starting, and this could be the biggest season the Wildcats have had since they won the Big 12 Championship back in 2022. Led by junior quarterback Avery Johnson, the Wildcats are poised to take over the Big 12 and show they can be the team to be year in and year out.
After a bit of a disappointing season in 2024 after being favored to win the conference and make it to the College Football Playoff, the Wildcats are coming back with a chip on their shoulder. However, this season will be no cake walk. Kansas State has some top opponents on their schedule throughout the season, starting with its first game of the season.
So, looking at Kansas State's schedule, here are three of the most important games that the Wildcats have to win in order to win a Big 12 Championship and make it to the College Football Playoff.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State
Right off the bat, Kansas State has a huge game in its first matchup of the season. With this game being played in Dublin, Ireland, even though Kansas State is the home team, the fans will probably be split pretty 50/50.
This is going to be a ranked matchup with Iowa State coming in at No. 22 and the Wildcats being ranked No. 17. It seems whenever K-State and Iowa State play each other, it comes down the wire and with both of these teams battling for a top spot in the Big 12, this game is going to be crucial, even fi it is so early on in the season.
Kansas State vs. Baylor
After a few down years since their Big 12 Championship in 2021, the Baylor Bears are coming back into the fold of the Big 12 battle. The Bears have a solid offense and a defense that can hold up against the rest of the conference. With this game being at Baylor, that immediately makes this a tough matchup with the Wildcats struggling when playing at McLane Stadium.
This game will take place in the middle of the season and at this point, Baylor could be ranked, and the Wildcats could be ranked higher, so this could be a highlight matchup in the Big 12 this season.
Texas Tech vs. Kansas State
Texas Tech is one of the other top schools coming into the Big 12 this season, and the Red Raiders have the ability to really be a problem for the Wildcats. Even though the Red Raiders lost some players like star running back Tahj Brooks, that offense is still humming behind Behren Morton and the litter of wide receivers they got in the transfer portal.
This is going to be a tough matchup, but luckily, the Wildcats will get to have this matchup in the comfort of Bill Snyder Family Stadium with the home crowd on their side and not have to worry about getting hit by flying tortillas.