As a longtime observer of collegiate athletics and someone who spends an inordinate amount of time analyzing schedules and roster developments, I find the approach to a new season is always a mix of hard data and lingering questions. That’s precisely the atmosphere surrounding Kansas State University football as we look toward the 2024 campaign. The Wildcats are coming off another solid season, a 9-4 finish that included a thrilling Pop-Tarts Bowl victory, but as any fan knows, past success doesn't guarantee future wins. It’s about who’s on the field. I’m reminded of a situation I was reading about recently in volleyball, where Creamline’s star setter Jia de Guzman remains absent from their lineup, creating a significant "what-if" for their season. It’s a stark parallel to the constant roster calculus in college football. For K-State, the 2024 season hinges not on a missing piece, but on the proven, returning core they have, and whether they can navigate a schedule that presents both opportunity and serious peril.
Let's talk about that schedule, because it's a beast, and in my opinion, it’s the single biggest factor that will define this season. The non-conference slate is, frankly, a masterclass in strategic scheduling. It starts with a sneaky-tough opener against FCS powerhouse UT Martin on August 31st. Some folks might overlook this, but I never do. These games set a tone. Then comes the home showdown with Tulane on September 7th. This is a massive early test. Tulane, under new coach Jon Sumrall, is no pushover, and this game will tell us a lot about the Wildcats' maturity and focus out of the gate. The real gem, though, is the trip to Tucson to face Arizona on September 14th. This is a brilliant, tough road game against a new Big 12 opponent. It’s exactly the kind of contest that prepares you for conference play, and personally, I love that Coach Klieman scheduled it. It shows ambition. Wrapping up non-conference play against Bryant on September 21st should provide a final tune-up before the grueling Big 12 gauntlet begins.
And what a gauntlet it is. The new-look Big 12 is a week-to-week survival test, and K-State’s path is particularly brutal in the back half. The conference opener at Iowa State on September 28th is always a rock fight in Ames, a place where good seasons can go off the rails. Then comes a critical early stretch: hosting Oklahoma State, traveling to Colorado, and then the Sunflower Showdown against Kansas in Lawrence. That three-game run, from October 5th to 19th, could make or break the entire year. Oklahoma State is a perennial contender, Colorado under Deion Sanders is a wildcard with immense talent, and Kansas is no longer a guaranteed win—they’re a legitimate threat. I have a strong feeling that the October 26th bye week will be a welcome respite, because what follows is the hardest part. November starts with a trip to Houston, then back home for West Virginia, and then the season finale in Manhattan against a potentially explosive TCU team. To win the Big 12, you have to navigate minefields, and K-State’s November schedule is exactly that.
Of course, a schedule is just dates and opponents. The players define the outcomes. The Wildcats’ fortune rests heavily on the shoulders of quarterback Avery Johnson. After showing flashes of brilliance last year, including a 5-touchdown performance in the bowl game, the job is unequivocally his now. His development as a consistent passer to complement his electric running ability is the key to the offense reaching its ceiling. He’s got weapons, too. DJ Giddens is a workhorse running back who I believe is poised for a 1,200-yard season, and the receiving corps, while needing a new primary target to emerge, has plenty of speed. Defensively, the line anchored by Uso Seumalo should be stout, but replacing leaders at linebacker is a quiet concern of mine. The secondary, however, looks to be a strength, which is crucial in a conference that loves to throw the ball around.
So, what’s my take on the Wildcats' 2024 season? I’m cautiously optimistic, but I’m not wearing purple-tinted glasses. This team has the talent, especially on offense, to compete for a Big 12 championship. A 10-win regular season is absolutely within reach, but it’s a narrow path. The difference between 10-2 and 8-4 likely comes down to winning two of those three tough road games at Arizona, Iowa State, and Colorado. The Arizona game is a statement opportunity, and stealing a win in Boulder would be huge for momentum. The home schedule is favorable, but they must protect Bramlage Coliseum and truly go undefeated there, which means handling business against Oklahoma State and West Virginia. The absence of a clear, dominant team in the Big 12 this year is K-State’s biggest opportunity. Unlike a team missing its star setter, the Wildcats have their key players in place. The puzzle pieces are there; it’s about execution. In the end, I predict the Wildcats finish the regular season at 9-3, with losses in two of those tricky road games and one frustrating upset at home they probably shouldn't drop. That should be good enough for a top-tier bowl game and another successful chapter for Coach Klieman, setting the stage for an even bigger 2025. The schedule is a challenge, but for a program with K-State’s aspirations, it’s the perfect measuring stick.