Team Profile & Coaching Staff

• Head Coach: Chris Klieman enters his seventh season at the helm, having led the Wildcats to at least eight wins each year since his arrival. Klieman continues to build a culture of consistency in the Big 12.
• Staff Updates: For the 2025 campaign, he promoted key assistants: Nate Kaczor as Special Teams Coordinator and special assistant; Matt Kardulis (Safeties), Sean Maguire (Quarterbacks), and David Orloff (Outside Linebackers) join the staff . Defensive Coordinator Joe Klanderman returns, anchoring a veteran defense

Team Outlook & Expectations

• Big 12 Contenders: Kansas State enters 2025 as co-favorites to win the Big 12, sharing +550 odds with Arizona State . Their steady record—nine wins in each of the last two seasons—reinforces their status. Lindy’s and other analysts project the Wildcats firmly in title contention
• College Football Playoff Aspirations: After four straight 8+ win seasons, College Football News suggests Kansas State may finally break through to

🔑 Key Players & Transfers

• Quarterback Avery Johnson steps into his second year as full-time starter. Analysts note his growth and see him as pivotal to a deeper run .
• Running Backs: The backfield is bolstered by transfers such as Gabe Ervin (Nebraska) and Colorado-native Dylan Edwards, the 2024 Rate Bowl Offensive MVP
• Defense: Senior safety Gunner Maldonado—Alamo Bowl Defensive MVP—joins via transfer from Arizona, adding veteran leadership .

📅 Season Outlook & Key Matchups

• Schedule Highlights: The Wildcats face a challenging start with the Big 12 opener in Dublin (vs. Iowa State) and a road test at Arizona . Conference play ramps up with clashes against Baylor, TCU, Utah, and a late-season showdown with Colorado—a renewal of a Big 12 rivalry that saw K‑State win 31–28 in Boulder in 2024 .
• Win Total and Predictions: College Football News sets the win over/under at 8.5; expect victories in non-conference games like Army and North Dakota, with the rest hinging on late-season synchronicity

🎯 Why Colorado Fans Should Care

• Rivalry Reignite: Colorado and Kansas State meet again on November 29, renewing one of the Big 12’s historic rivalries .
• Packet for Playoff: If Kansas State reaches CFP-level play or clinches the conference, Colorado’s path to postseason glory becomes steeper—especially with Deion Sanders in Boulder getting major attention, including a contract extension and raise .
• Comparative Program Trajectories: While Colorado reloads after losing Shedeur Sanders and Travis Hunter, Kansas State boasts returners, continuity, and upward momentum

 Final Take

Expect a polished, battle-tested Kansas State team in 2025. With momentum, experience, and conference title expectations, the Wildcats are poised to clash powerfully with Colorado—bringing high stakes, amplified rivalry, and playoff ramifications all at once.