Kansas at Kansas State - 2026 Matchup Preview
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Kansas Jayhawks at Kansas State Wildcats

Kansas State logo
Saturday, October 17th 2026 (12:00 PM EDT)
Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium - Manhattan, KS  (Big 12)

 
Jayhawks (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Lance Leipold (27 - 35)
Avg Score : 28 - 27 (22 - 33 on Road)
Record Prediction: 5.9 - 6.1 (#61)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 2) (Good: 3) (Avg: 3) (Bad: 3)
KU 2nd straight Road Game
KSU 2nd straight Home Game
Our Line: Kansas State -6.5  (SP+ KSU -3)
Projected Score: KU: 25 - KSU: 31 (56)
KSU Win prob: 68% | Cover: 48%
KU Travel: 74 miles
Wildcats (0 - 0) (0 - 0 - 0)
Coach Collin Klein (0 - 0)
Avg Score : 29 - 27 (30 - 27 @ Home)
Record Prediction: 7.8 - 4.2 (#36)
'26 Opponents: (Elite: 0) (Good: 3) (Avg: 4) (Bad: 4)
 
Kansas's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Fri 9/4 Kansas vs Long Island University-27.5
Sat 9/12 Kansas vs Missouri+12.5
Sat 9/19 Kansas at Arizona State+5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/3 Kansas vs Middle Tennessee-23.5
Sat 10/10 Kansas at Utah+16.5
Sat 10/17 Kansas at Kansas State+6.5
Sat 10/24 Kansas vs Baylor-2
Sat 10/31 Kansas at TCU+8
Sat 11/7 Kansas vs UCF-2
Sat 11/14 Kansas at West Virginia-1
Sat 11/21 Kansas vs BYU+11
Sat 11/28 Kansas at Oklahoma State-4

Total: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 2, Good: 3, Avg 3, Bad 2, Poor 1
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kansas's Schedule
Kansas State's 2026 Schedule
DateMatchupSpreadTotalResultO/UCover
Sat 9/5 Kansas State vs Nicholls-31.5
Sat 9/12 Kansas State vs Washington State-11.5
Sat 9/19 Kansas State vs Tulane-8.5
Sat 9/26 Kansas State at Cincinnati-2.5
BYE WEEK
Sat 10/10 Kansas State vs Houston-2.5
Sat 10/17 Kansas State vs Kansas-6.5
Sat 10/24 Kansas State at Arizona State+1
Sat 10/31 Kansas State at Colorado-6.5
Sat 11/7 Kansas State vs Oklahoma State-13
Sat 11/14 Kansas State at TCU+4
Sat 11/21 Kansas State vs Arizona-1
Sat 11/28 Kansas State at Iowa State+2

Total: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg 4, Bad 4, Poor 0
Played: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg 0, Bad 0, Poor 0
Future: Elite: 0, Good: 3, Avg 4, Bad 4, Poor 0
Wins: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0
Losses: Elite: 0, Good: 0, Avg: 0, Bad: 0, Poor: 0

Predictions for Kansas State's Schedule
Important Stats (2025)
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU#26 (.25)48% (13)28.151% (6)3.53 (3)17046% (31)2203.94 (47)#121 (.25)42% (69)26.841% (62)42% (71)4.24 (120)39.81.10.8
KSU#45 (.2)41% (92)29.441% (94)2.82 (93)17241% (82)1984.15 (32)#56 (.13)39% (45)26.741% (61)38% (30)3.45 (49)38.31.32.2
 Teams                  Off Explosive.Off SuccessPPGRush SuccessOL Yds Per AttRush YPGPass SuccessPass YPGOff ScoreZoneDef Explosive.Def SuccessDef PPGRunD SuccessPass D SuccessDef ScoreZonePenalty YPGTO PGDef TO PG
KU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000
KSU0%0%000%000%0%0%0000



Overall Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Offense1228.121.848.4%3.941.1213901702204.851%47%51%46%14%.25
KSU Defense1226.727.339.5%3.452.2 - - - - - 52%47%41%38%17%.13
 Teams                  GamesPPGPPG H/RSuccess RatePts PerOppTO1stD PGTotalYds PGRushYds PGPassYdsPGRYPARun RatePass RateRun SuccessPass SuccessHavoc RateTotal PPA
KU Defense1226.833.241.7%4.240.8 - - - - - 51%48%41%42%18%.25
KSU Offense1229.429.740.8%4.151.3173711721985.251%47%41%41%18%.2

Additional Stats 2025
 Teams                  GamesPossession Time1st Downs PG3rd Down %4th Down %Penalties PGPenalty Yds PGOff TO PGDef TO PGTFL PGSacks PGD/ST TDsAvg Field Pos
Kansas1230:4020.639%57%539.81.10.86.32129.1
Kansas State1229:0017.237%56%4.138.31.32.262.3230.2
Run Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Offense1251% (53)51% (6)35.5169.84.817 (99).22 (19)3.53 (3)84% (3)9% (44)0.87 (111)
KSU Defense1252% (92)41% (61) - - - - .12 (81)2.73 (38)70% (56)10% (49)1.12 (129)
 Teams                  GamesRun Play RateRun Play SuccessRush Att PGRush Yds PGRush Yds Per AttRushing TDsRun Pred Pts AddedOL Yds Per Att3rd/4th & ShortFront 7 HavocRun Play Explosivness
KU Defense1251% (78)41% (62) - - - - .13 (87)2.84 (57)77% (110)11% (25)1.1 (125)
KSU Offense1251% (50)41% (94)33.2172.35.223 (88).18 (40)2.82 (93)67% (101)11% (114)1.2 (3)

Pass Game Stats (2026)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Offense1247% (87)46% (31)17.628.82207.712.523 (8)8 (7).32 (45)1.5 (76)28% (20)32% (41).27 (81)6% (55)1.8 (120)
KSU Defense1247% (55)38% (30) - - - - - - 13 (38).15 (27)1.6 (87)33% (37)28% (53).24 (50)7% (38)2.1 (95)
 Teams                  GamesPassPlay RatePassPlay SuccessComp PGAtt PGYds PGYds PAYds PCTDs    Ints    PassPlays PPAPassPlays ExplPassDowns RatePassDowns Succ RatePassDowns PPADB HavocPassDowns Expl
KU Defense1248% (67)42% (71) - - - - - - 4 (75).39 (122)1.7 (126)34% (34)33% (103).43 (124)7% (43)2.2 (125)
KSU Offense1247% (86)41% (82)1728.5198.3711.718 (42)7 (20).25 (65)1.6 (39)34% (120)31% (65).28 (79)7% (92)1.8 (121)

Kansas's Power Ratings
Kansas's Power Rating: 3.41  #65
Kansas's Offense Rating: 15.26  #53
Kansas's Defense Rating: 16.85  #75
2026 Talent Rating: 790.00  #63
Blue Chip Ratio: 4%  #57
Kansas's 2026 Expected Record: 5.9 - 6.1
Kansas's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 4.1  #58
Kansas's Offense SP+ Rating: 30.9  #48
Kansas's Defense SP+ Rating: 28.5  #76

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9

Power Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 3.41   Kansas State: 10.37

SP+ Ratings Matchup
Kansas: 4.1   Kansas State: 7.0




Kansas State's Power Ratings
Kansas State's Power Rating: 10.37  #43
Kansas State's Offense Rating: 16.49  #39
Kansas State's Defense Rating: 12.75  #47
2026 Talent Rating: 864.00  #44
Blue Chip Ratio: 4  #57
Kansas State's 2026 Expected Record: 7.8 - 4.2
Kansas State's 2026 Overall SP+ Rating: 7.0  #42
Kansas State's Offense SP+ Rating: 31.3  #46
Kansas State's Defense SP+ Rating: 25.0  #58

Average Talent
Average Big 12 Talent Rating is 824
Average Power Five Talent: 910.69
Average FBS Talent: 728.9


Kansas Scoring
Offense: 28.1 PPG
Offense on Road: 21.8
Defense: 26.8 PPG
Defense on Road: 33.2

Kansas's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record on Road: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread on Road: 0 - 0 - 0
Projected Score
Kansas State 31
Kansas 25

Projected Total Points: 56
Kansas State Scoring
Offense: 29.4 PPG
Offense at Home: 29.7
Defense: 26.7 PPG
Defense at Home: 27.3

Kansas State's 2026 Record
Record: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread: 0 - 0 - 0
Over/Under Record: 0 - 0
Record at home: 0 - 0
Record vs Spread at home: 0 - 0 - 0


YearDateHomeScoreAwayScoreSpreadCoverTotalO/U
202510/25Kansas17Kansas State42Kansas -3.5Kansas State55.5Over
202410/26Kansas State29Kansas27Kansas State -10Kansas56.5Under
202311/18Kansas27Kansas State31Kansas State -7.0Kansas60.5Under
202211/26Kansas State47Kansas27Kansas State -11.5Kansas State62.0Over
202111/06Kansas10Kansas State35Kansas State -24Kansas State56.0Under
202010/24Kansas State55Kansas14Kansas State -19.5Kansas State46.0Over
201911/02Kansas10Kansas State38Kansas State -4.5Kansas State54.0Under
201811/10Kansas State21Kansas17Kansas State -9Kansas45.5Under
201710/28Kansas20Kansas State30Kansas State -24.5Kansas55.0Under
201611/26Kansas State34Kansas19Kansas State -24.5Kansas51.0Over
201511/28Kansas14Kansas State45Kansas State -21.5Kansas State53.5Over
201411/29Kansas State51Kansas13Kansas State -28.5Kansas State0
201311/30Kansas10Kansas State31Kansas State -16.5Kansas State0
201210/06Kansas State56Kansas16
201110/22Kansas21Kansas State59
201010/14Kansas7Kansas State59
200911/07Kansas State17Kansas10
200811/01Kansas52Kansas State21
200710/06Kansas State24Kansas30
200611/18Kansas39Kansas State20
200510/08Kansas State12Kansas3
200410/09Kansas31Kansas State28
200310/25Kansas State42Kansas6
200211/02Kansas0Kansas State64
200110/27Kansas State40Kansas6
200010/06Kansas13Kansas State52
TeamWinsCoversO/U
Kansas State2285 Overs
Kansas456 Unders

WinsCoversFavsDogs
Home Teams14 - 125 - 83 - 42 - 4
Road Teams12 - 148 - 54 - 24 - 3

(#65) KU at (#43) KSU
Overall StatsOvr
CategoryCatKUKSU
Net PPPPPPNRNR
Power RatePwr #65 #43
SP+SP+ #58 #42
Perf GradeGradeNRNR
OffenseOffNRNR
DefenseDefNRNR
Spec TeamsSTNRNR
TalentTal #63 #44
Blue ChipsBC% #57 #57
Kansas Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Uneasy, two 5-7 yrs, OC back gives hope
(2/16) AHC Andy Kotelnicki is the real OC, play-caller
(2/9) QB Cole Ballard was #2 LY, has mobility
(2/9) RB added 3 portals incl D Edwards (KSU). Depth
(2/9) WR 3 portals, McMillan (Buf) leads decent unit
(2/9) OL 2 back + 2 P5 portal starters. Decent unit
(2/9) DL has good exp/prod, LBs ? beyond Al-Amin
(2/9) CBs have decent starting duo, S not great
Kansas Injury Report
Kansas State Notes
(2/17) Vibes: Hopeful w native son Klein. New era
(2/4) QB Johnson back. Can Klein help elevate him?
(2/4) RB Jackson back w 3 portals to boost depth
(2/4) WR has some exp'd parts and talent to build with
(2/4) OC Gleason brand new, was Analyst in 2024 (Miz)
(2/4) OL 7 portals, solid OTs, unproven at OG
(2/4) DL 6 portals, mostly G5s coming up. Big ?
(2/4) LB corp looks good w/ depth. Mason (LT) good add
(2/4) CB solid w 3 good options, ? at S behind Beasley
(2/4) New era w Klein, DC Peterson was A&M Co-DC
Kansas State Injury Report
Kansas on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffKSU Def
PPPOffPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #13 #45
ExplosiveExp #113 #113
PPAPPA #26 #56
PowerPwr #53 #47
SP+SP+ #48 #58
Pts POPPO #47 #49
HavocHav #52 #46
Kansas Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffKSU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #6 #61
Run ExplRExp #111 #129
PPAExp #19 #81
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #3 #38
Stuff RateStuff #8 #56
TackleTak - NR
Kansas Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KU OffKSU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #31 #30
Pass ExplPExl #76 #87
PPAExp #45 #27
Pass Rush/BlockP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #44 #49
DB HavocDB #55 #38
Kansas State on Offense
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatKSU OffKU Def
PPPDefPPPNRNR
Perf GradePerfNRNR
SuccessSuc #92 #69
ExplosiveExp #8 #131
PPAPPA #45 #121
PowerPwr #39 #75
SP+SP+ #46 #76
Pts POPPO #32 #120
HavocHav #108 #26
Kansas State Run Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCat
KSU OffKU Def
Run GameRunNRNR
Run SuccessRSuc #94 #62
Run ExplRExp #3 #125
PPAExp #40 #87
Run BlockR BlkNR -
OL YdsOLY #93 #57
Stuff RateStuff #119 #32
TackleTak - NR
Kansas State Pass Game
Balanced offense, Pass: 47%, Run: 51%
CategoryCatKSU OffKU Def
Pass GamePassNRNR
Pass SuccessPSuc #82 #71
Pass ExplPExl #39 #126
PPAExp #65 #122
Pass Block/RushP BlkNRNR
F7 HavocF7 #114 #25
DB HavocDB #92 #43
Program Comparison
KSU 5 Year Profile: Declining Average P4
'26 Profile: Down to Below Avg P4

KU 5 Year Profile: Consistent Below Avg P4
'26 Profile: Remains Below Avg P4

Weather Forecast
Playing in Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium
Conditions:
Temp: 0°
Previous Matchups
Kansas State beat Kansas last year (42-17)
Kansas State beat Kansas in 2024 (29-27)
Kansas State beat Kansas in 2023 (31-27)

  
KU's OC Andy Kotelnicki (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Chase Jenkins (Tr)11917269%1025926.0
Cole Ballard102246%108114.9
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Yasin Willis (Tr)12955344.341
Chase Jenkins (Tr)15153153.534
Jalen Dupree (Tr)10250825.031
Dylan Edwards (Tr)3420526.075
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Nik McMillan (Tr)61975316.055
Nahzae Cox (Tr)40473511.843
Cam Pickett45449310.038
Carter Moses (Tr)26321212.333

View Kansas's Full Roster

KU's DC D.K. McDonald (in his second season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Trey Lathan867265
Corey Gordon (Tr)533002
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Eamon Smalls (Tr)504110
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Jibreel Al-Amin (Tr)516342
Jalen Todd442214
Blake Herold435243
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Leroy Harris III317518
Trey Lathan867265
Jalen Todd442214

KSU's OC Sean Gleeson (in his first season)
Player NameCOMPATTPCTYDSTDINTYPA
Avery Johnson20434160%23801867.0
Linkon Cure010%0010.0
Player NameCARYDSTDYPCLONG
Joe Jackson16991185.480
Rodney Fields Jr. (Tr)12461415.041
Avery Johnson10947784.458
Jay Harris (Tr)4215123.616
Player NameRECYDSTDYPCLONG
Jaron Tibbs47595312.738
Brandon White (Tr)38399210.546
Garrett Oakley38389610.235
Joshua Manning (Tr)29318211.034

View Kansas State's Full Roster

KSU's DC Jordan Peterson (in his first season)
Top DefTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Mekhi Mason (Tr)6215434
Zashon Rich5731010
Koy Beasley (Tr)402006
Wesley Fair361003
SacksTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Elijah Hill (Tr)2212960
Wendell Gregory (Tr)2712471
Mekhi Mason (Tr)6215434
Jordan Allen165301
Pass DTackTFLSACKSPRESSPD
Zashon Rich5731010
Koy Beasley (Tr)402006
Ja'Son Prevard (Tr)241015