The Kansas State Wildcats are carrying the Big 12 banner in ESPN’s latest Top 25 rankings.
Landing at No. 18, Kansas State is the Big 12 Conference’s sole representative in the rankings. The SP+ formula evaluates teams based on efficiency, explosiveness, and returning production, giving fans a statistical look at the season’s landscape.
This placement highlights both the Wildcats’ strength and the shifting dynamics of the Big 12. Powerhouse programs like Texas and Oklahoma have departed for the SEC, leaving room for programs like Kansas State to rise.
Head coach Chris Klieman has built a program known for discipline, physicality, and consistency. Kansas State has returning starters on both sides of the ball. They also have a strong recruiting pipeline. K State is expected to be a serious contender for the Big 12 title in 2025.
While some fans might view the lack of multiple Big 12 teams in the SP+ Top 25 as a sign of diminished depth, Wildcats supporters see it as a badge of honor—and a challenge to prove the conference still belongs in the national conversation.
The upcoming season will test that theory, as K State faces a competitive schedule filled with conference rivals hungry to make their mark.