The Kansas State Wildcats enter the 2026 season with plenty to prove under first-year head coach Collin Klein. After navigating what appears on paper to be a “cakewalk” nonconference schedule, Kansas State football dives into Big 12 play, right where things get real.
Sure, nothing comes easy in the Big 12. But on the 2026 Kansas State football schedule, there are a few conference matchups that look more manageable than others. If you’re planning to catch a game in The Little Apple this fall, two of these three might give you the best chance to see the Wildcats walk away with a win.
Kansas State football’s three easiest games in 2026: Houston, Colorado, Kansas
The 2026 schedule is set.#EMAW pic.twitter.com/9uKbJ7Ruza
— K-State Football (@KStateFB) January 21, 2026
Kansas State’s road to the top of the Big 12 standings in 2026 starts with a victory over the Houston Cougars. It’s not a deep-rooted rivalry, but it’s one the Wildcats handled with ease the first time these teams met; a 41-0 win inside Bill Snyder Family Stadium in 2023.
There’s no long-standing history here, no emotional edge, just a critical opening conference game for both programs. Matchups like that tend to favor the more stable team, and right now, that’s the Wildcats.
The two teams didn’t meet last season, and the most recent result in 2024 fell in favor of Houston, 24-19. That makes this an important early test for Klein in his first Big 12 season as a head coach. Tack on the fact that Klein's never faced the Cougars, and there's enough intrigue to justify making the trip
The Colorado Buffaloes, this time in the mountains
Post-Sanders. Post-Hunter. Colorado is still searching for answers, and the “Coach Prime” era looks very different without Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter. What was already an arguably overhyped roster now feels like a program trying to reset on the fly.
The Buffaloes finished 1-8 in Big 12 play last season, narrowly avoiding the bottom of the standings, with the offense struggling to find rhythm all year. Quarterback Kaiden Salter completed just 62% of his passes, and Colorado ranked second to last in the conference in offensive efficiency.
Could things improve? Maybe. But based on recent trends, Kansas State should enter this matchup as the more complete, comfortable and physical team.
So load the car, pack the bags and head west. The mountains are nice — and so is a road win in Big 12 play.
The Sunflower Showdown returns to Manhattan, same with Kansas Jayhawks
The 124th edition of the Dillons Sunflower Showdown returns to Manhattan on Oct. 17, with the Wildcats eyeing their 18th straight victory over the Jayhawks — a streak dating back to 2009.
Rivalry games in the Big 12 rarely follow logic, but the recent history in this one paints the whole picture. Kansas has made things interesting in the early stages before, but again, the streak isn’t alive by accident.
The Jayhawks enter 2026 without a seasoned veteran like Jalon Daniels under center, no Daniel Hishaw in the backfield and question marks at receiver. Meanwhile, Avery Johnson enters his second season leading the Kansas State offense, Joe Jackson returns, and Klein is calling the plays.
It’s hard to see the Jayhawks leaving Manhattan with a victory in the fall, even with former K-State running back Dylan Edwards in the picture.
This year’s Sunflower Showdown lands on Oct. 17, earlier than many fans are used to in Big 12 conference play. Better weather, a packed Bill Snyder Family Stadium and noise at full volume. What’s not to love about it?
If you’re circling one game on the 2026 Kansas State football schedule, this might be the safest bet – and definitely the loudest.
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