Kansas State Wildcats 2026 Preview
The College Football Experience (@TCEonSGPN) on the Sports Gambling Podcast Network continues its 138 college football team preview series with the Kansas State Wildcats 2026 Season Preview. Pick Dundee aka (@TheColbyD) & Ryan McIntyre (@Moneyline_Mac) break down the 2026 Kansas State Wildcats roster and what to expect in the Big 12 this season. Can Collin Klein turn a 6-6 finish around in his first season as the Kansas State head coach? And is senior Avery Johnson ready for a big year after 6,954 total yards and 70 career touchdowns?
Can an offense that ranked 53rd in scoring but 83rd in total offense climb under new coordinator Sean Gleason? Does Avery Johnson take another step with running back Joe Jackson and receiver Jaron Tibbs around him? Can new coordinator Jordan Peterson fix a defense that finished 83rd in total defense and 89th against the run? How does a schedule with the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas and a Farmageddon finale versus Iowa State break? What does a Saturday feel like at Bill Snyder Family Stadium in Manhattan? And where’s the betting value on the Kansas State Wildcats win total, Big 12 odds and College Football Playoff chances? We talk it all and more on this episode of The College Football Experience.
Collin Klein Takes Over In Manhattan
This Kansas State Wildcats 2026 preview starts with a new man in charge. Collin Klein returns home, and the deck rates his coaching seat a 1 out of 10. First, Kansas State finished 6-6 a season ago. Then the record turned on close games, with the Wildcats just 2-5 in one-score finishes. Because of that math, a few late stops flip 6-6 into a much better number. So Klein inherits a roster that finished closer than its record looked.
Avery Johnson And An Offense Under New Direction
Kansas State’s offense ranked 53rd in scoring last season, with the total offense 83rd and the passing game 97th. Sean Gleason takes over as the new offensive coordinator, so the scheme gets a fresh voice. First, senior Avery Johnson returns at quarterback after 6,954 career total yards and 70 total touchdowns. Then running back Joe Jackson and receiver Jaron Tibbs headline a group that returns 65 percent of its production. Also back are tight ends Will Anciaux and Garrett Oakley to give Johnson steady targets. Meanwhile Gleason added receivers Josh Manning and Izaiah Williams out of the portal, so the room got deeper.
Jordan Peterson Inherits A Defense That Has To Improve
Jordan Peterson steps in as the new defensive coordinator, and the numbers give him plenty to fix. First, the unit ranked 83rd nationally in total defense a year ago. Then the rushing defense finished 89th and the scoring defense sat 79th, the softest marks on the roster. Because the secondary returns the most, Peterson leans on defensive backs Wesley Fair, Donovan McIntosh and Zashon Rich. From there, the portal brought in edge rusher Wendell Gregory and linebacker Mekhi Mason to add speed. So the pieces are there, but the production has to climb in a rebuilt Big 12.
The Schedule, The Little Apple And The Win Total
Kansas State opens at home against Nicholls before a Week 2 test with Washington State. First, Tulane and Cincinnati follow to round out the non-conference slate. Then the Big 12 grind rolls in with the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas. Next come road trips to Arizona State and Colorado, plus home dates with Oklahoma State and TCU. From there, the season closes with Arizona and a Farmageddon finale against Iowa State. What does a Saturday feel like at Bill Snyder Family Stadium when the Little Apple fills up in Manhattan? The deck sets the Kansas State win total at 7.5. That puts the Wildcats plus 1400 for the Big 12 and plus 750 to make the Playoff. So the hosts weigh the over against Klein’s first year in charge.
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Podcast Chapters
00:00 Kansas State Preview Intro
03:07 Hosts And Vegas Meetup
05:45 Collin Klein Returns Home
08:37 2025 Recap Close Losses
14:39 Program Standard Snyder Legacy
16:13 New OC And Offense Outlook
22:33 Portal Adds And Depth
23:30 Defensive Overhaul New DC
28:28 Aggieville Beer Bar Talk
30:30 Snyder Coaching Tree
30:52 Stadium Castle Vibes
32:03 College Stadium Personality
32:50 Wildcat Traditions
33:56 K State Legends Roll Call
34:51 Program Outlook Klein Era
37:28 Early Schedule Wins
41:08 Midseason Swing Games
43:17 Road Tests And TCU
45:44 Farmageddon Finish
46:27 Betting Angles Win Total
50:54 Dream Opponents Wishlist
52:13 Wrap Up And Sign Off
