Kansas State Wildcats among Big 12 favorites in new preseason football projections
Preseason expectations just got a little higher for the Kansas State football team.
The Wildcats are projected to be the best team in the Big 12 next season, according to two prominent ratings systems that were recently updated to account for spring transfers and other roster changes.
ESPN is the most prominent believer in K-State, as it lists the Wildcats as the highest-rated Big 12 team in its preseason Football Power Index. Chris Klieman’s team checks in at No. 21 in that predictive model ahead of Arizona State (24), BYU (29) and Kansas (30).
Kelley Ford, a college football statistician, is also high on K-State. He has the Wildcats ranked first in the Big 12 and 20th nationally in his ratings system ahead of Arizona State (23), Texas Tech (27) and BYU (30).
Another college football expert, Phil Steele, just released his predictive order of finish in the Big 12. He doesn’t have the Wildcats leading the pack in the conference race, but he does have them near the top of the standings. Steele expects Baylor, Utah and Iowa State to fight for first place while K-State comes in right behind them in fourth.
K-State has also been getting respect from oddsmakers this spring.
FanDuel lists K-State as a co-favorite in the Big 12 race along with Arizona State. Both of those teams are getting six-to-one odds to win the league, followed by Baylor and Texas Tech.
The Wildcats are hoping that they can build off their 9-4 campaign from last season with Avery Johnson back as starting quarterback, Dylan Edwards taking over as the team’s best running back and a stingy defense returning under the guidance of coordinator Joe Klanderman.
Preseason expectations will really start to heat up in July when the Big 12 unveils its preseason poll ahead of Big 12 Media Days in Frisco, Texas.
Utah barely beat K-State for the top spot last season.
Of course, that prediction didn’t come to fruition. Arizona State won the league after media picked the Sun Devils to finish last.
This time around, the Wildcats are hoping to prove their backers right as they prepare for their season-opener against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland.
This story was originally published June 11, 2025 at 5:30 AM with the headline "Kansas State Wildcats among Big 12 favorites in new preseason football projections."