Kansas State's 2024 football schedule is jam-packed with great opponents, including three of the four newcomers to the Big 12 this season. K-State will even get to rekindle an old rival they once held with a former Big 12 member now rejoining the conference in Colorado.
With the Wildcats favored to win the Big 12 this season, they will have a tough road ahead of them with the schedule they have been given. They have tough matchups with some of the top teams in the conference.
However, there are some teams that Kansas State does not have to play this season with there being more teams in the conference now. The Wildcats are probably glad they don't have to face some of them.
This one may seem confusing with how badly TCU played last season, but after a down year, it seems only natural that the Horned Frogs will bounce back. TCU knows the formula for winning and they can do it again.
Kansas State is probably happy they don't have to play quite as many Texas teams this season. It is tough to go and play in those environments and in that heat. K-State just barely edges out TCU in their all-time series 10-8, so this battle is one the Wildcats are probably glad they don't have to fight.
Texas Tech is another opponent K-State will not play this season. The Wildcats have been a thorn in the Red Raider's side for quite a few years now with K-State winning their last eight games against Texas Tech.
While this streak is great, it is bound to end at some point and not having to worry about that this season, and not having to put that in Avery Johnson is good. The Red Raiders also have Tahj Brooks returning and K-State will already have to face a lot of tough running backs so not having to face him makes the Wildcat's lives so much easier.
K-State and UCF kicked off Big 12 play last season against each other in 2023. UCF gave the Wildcats a run for their money in just their first-ever Big 12 game. Since then, the Knights have only gotten stronger and they are a top team in the Big 12 this next season.
K-State already has to face Oklahoma State, Kansas, West Virginia, and Arizona this season which will be tough, so not having to face yet another top team in the conference will allow K-State to have an easier road to a Big 12 title.
This is the one team that Kansas State would probably say they are glad they aren't facing in the regular season because they will most likely face each other at the end of the season in the Big 12 Championship.
Utah is the one team that truly rivals Kansas State's play at a Big 12 title. the Utes are the Wildcat's biggest competition and not having to face them in the regular season can give Kansas State some peace of mind.