Taking a look at Kansas State, the Texas Longhorns’ primary challenger

We break down what challenges Kansas State will present Texas and others in 2023.

Kansas State is a trending conference title pick over the offseason. The team enters the 2023 season as the reigning Big 12 champion. How good are the Wildcats heading into the Longhorns’ final season in the conference?

Let’s first look at who they were in 2022. Kansas State went 10-4 on the year with a 7-2 record in conference. The Wildcats suffered an early loss to the Tulane Green Wave at home before falling to TCU by 10 points and to Texas by a touchdown in Manhattan. Kansas State would go on to beat TCU in its rematch before losing to Alabama, 45-20.

There’s something to be said for beating the teams one should beat. Texas and TCU were the team’s only conference losses on the season. Consistent play in conference is what the Longhorns will need to accomplish this season. Even so, the Wildcats weren’t your typical conference champion in 2022.

Now, the team is touted by the anybody-but-Texas camp as the most deserving favorite to win the Big 12. In reality, it’s a team with a high floor, but low ceiling as evidence by its play against more talented opponents.

Kansas State boasts nine players entering their sixth season of football. Among other advantages, the team has a proven starting quarterback who should be among the best in the league. Wildcats skill players are probably undervalued heading into the season as well. This issue for K-State is an inexperienced defense which should struggle in 2023.

The Wildcats were a solid defensive team last season. They finished No. 64 out of 131 FBS teams and fifth among current Big 12 teams in total defense. Unfortunately the team loses Felix Anudike-Uzomah, the Big 12 defensive player of the year, on a defense that returns five of its 11 defensive starters. That bodes particularly well for Texas, who scored 31 points in one half at Kansas State last season. Frankly, we’re not that far removed from Texas scoring 66 points in three quarters on the Wildcats.

How good is Kansas State? It all depends on its defense. Nevertheless, there’s a talent gap, and losing more than half of its defense does not bode well for the Wildcats.