Matt Hayes of USA Today centered his case for Kansas State’s chances of qualifying for the 2025–2026 College Football Playoff on quarterback Avery Johnson. Hayes even likened Johnson to Johnny Manziel, a previous Heisman Trophy winner.
The quarterback, Avery Johnson, is good. It will even out in 2025 after a rough ride in 2024. He is just as deadly as any college football quarterback when he is playing. A talent like Johnny Manziel. K-State needs to improve its defenses, and he needs to be more reliable,” Hayes wrote.
Hayes was concerned about head coach Chris Kleiman’s ability to win important games as well as the more winnable games on the Wildcats’ schedule, as the thing that would hinder K-State.
“When will this squad learn how to win games the way it should? You don’t lose to Houston a week after defeating Kansas, your rival, and you don’t lose to Arizona State at home in the first half. The issue: it’s a trend that overshadows Big 12 titles and historic victories under coach Chris Klieman (Iowa State, 2023, 2021; Tulane, 2022; Texas, 2021). And dashes prospects for CFP,” Hayes stated.
Before the 2024 season, Kansas State was among the top contenders in the Big 12. But like Oklahoma State and Utah, the Wildcats were a huge letdown. Arizona State, Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado were among the teams that no one had given a chance to win the Big 12 at the start of the season.
There is a chance for atonement in 2025. No team from the Big 12 cheated on recruiting. Johnson has gained more experience this year.
The Big 12 may be won by a number of teams, including Kansas State. The Wildcats are therefore in the running for a top-four CFP slot until further notice.
Leave a Reply