Pop-Tarts Bowl rep explains why Kansas State is a strong candidate to play in Orlando
The Kansas State football team has built a robust bowl history over the past four decades by playing in 24 postseason games in seven different states.
One might assume the Wildcats have done and seen it all during that time, but there is one notable destination that they are still waiting to experience. Never before have they played a bowl game in Florida.
That could change next month, because K-State is considered a prime candidate to receive an invitation to the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Dec. 28 in Orlando.
The Pop-Tarts Bowl is serious enough about the Wildcats that its top staffer agreed to an interview about them.
Steve Hogan, who works as the CEO of Florida Citrus Sports (which runs both the Pop-Tarts Bowl and the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl), has come close to inviting K-State in years past, but it hasn’t worked out.
This may finally be the year it happens.
“There is a lot of respect here in Orlando for Kansas State,” Hogan said via Zoom. “It hasn’t happened yet, so I can see how that might sound like hollow praise, but I can tell you there is a ton of respect for Kansas State as a football program. Everyone knows about Coach (Bill) Snyder and their legacy and their history.
“We have heard about it constantly and we have verified it with other bowl organizers. We are all close and we all talk. We have heard about Kansas state’s fan support and that’s been backed up by people that have hosted Kansas State. So there’s a lot of respect here and admiration for Kansas State. We are very excited that they’re in our window this year ... If they are our selection we will be pretty excited about it.”
The Pop-Tarts Bowl, and every other postseason game, will announce its pairing on Sunday afternoon.
Hogan said his bowl is currently focused on K-State, Kansas, Oklahoma State and West Virginia from the Big 12. One of those teams will play an opponent from the ACC. Hogan mentioned North Carolina State from that conference, as well as Notre Dame.
A representative from the Pop-Tarts Bowl attended several K-State games this season, including a snowy 42-35 loss to Iowa State in the season-finale. Losing that rivalry game may have hurt K-State’s bowl stock, but Hogan is still impressed by what the Wildcats accomplished this year on their way to an 8-4 record and a top 25 ranking.
“They have been fun to watch,” Hogan said. “You think about that snow game, that is a lot of points to score in just horrible conditions. It’s exciting to see that kind of play. There is also lot of tradition and success there, especially with the Sugar Bowl appearance last year and a Big 12 championship. We are excited about the teams that are here, and we could have a fresh look.”
That last comment could play in K-State’s favor as it works to box out other Big 12 teams for an invitation to Orlando. Oklahoma State finished ahead of the Wildcats in the league standings, but the Cowboys have made two visits to Florida in recent years. So has West Virginia.
K-State fans should be more motivated to make the trip.
“You want that in there,” Hogan said. “You want the newness and the excitement. It is really important to us that the student-athletes have a great week while they are here. We want them to remember this week the rest of their lives, getting to spend time with their teammates and brothers. So getting somebody that’s new to it and excited and fresh for all our bowl folks to host them is very cool.”
Hogan went on to say he likes to invite teams that are ascending. That could hurt K-State, as it is coming off loss. But Oklahoma State will be in the same boat if it fails to upset Texas in the Big 12 championship game.
Kansas and West Virginia are both coming off wins. That could give them some hope in this debate.
But K-State could also benefit from two other things that Hogan mentioned in his selection criteria. He loves it when he can match up a pair of ranked teams, and K-State checked in at No. 25 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings.
He said the dream for any bowl is to select a ranked team with a passionate fan base that hasn’t visited the area in years, calling it “the trifecta.” K-State can check all three boxes.
Hogan also likes it when a bowl game can serve as a showcase for young talent, such as freshman quarterback Avery Johnson.
Senior quarterback Will Howard entered the transfer portal earlier this week, which means Johnson will lead the offense in K-State’s bowl game. That should be fun to watch.
“This day and age, with the portal and everything else, you get a look at some players that maybe people are excited to see next year,” Hogan said. “Fans seem to really rally around the fact that this is going to be our guy next year and I can’t wait to see him play this team.”
Only time will tell if the Pop-Tarts Bowl will ultimately think enough of the Wildcats to extend them an invitation. For now, though, there is reason to hope the K-State football team is on the verge of playing its first bowl game in the Sunshine State.
This story was originally published November 30, 2023 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Pop-Tarts Bowl rep explains why Kansas State is a strong candidate to play in Orlando."