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Source: https://www.bringonthecats.com/rss/index.xml

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<title type="text">Bring On The Cats</title>
<subtitle type="text">Bring On The Cats, a Kansas State Wildcats community</subtitle>
<updated>2025-08-23T14:26:02+00:00</updated>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com" />
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<entry>
<author>
<name>JT VanGilder</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Kansas State vs Iowa State: FARMAGEDDON 2025]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27798/kansas-state-vs-iowa-state-farmageddon-2025-game-thread" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27798</id>
<updated>2025-08-23T10:26:02-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-23T11:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[The long offseasons away from football don’t seem so bad when the Wildcats end the season with a win. Last time out, Kansas State capped off an 8-4 regular season witha 44-41 win over Rutgers in the 2024 Rate Bowl to give the Wildcats at least nine wins in a season for the third-straight season. […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="Running back Dylan Edwards #3 of the Kansas State Wildcats gestures after scoring a touchdown during the first half of the Rate Bowl against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Chase Field on December 26, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Chris Coduto/Getty Images)" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2192582172.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
The long offseasons away from football don’t seem so bad when the Wildcats end the season with a win.
Last time out, Kansas State capped off an 8-4 regular season witha 44-41 win over Rutgers in the 2024 Rate Bowl to give the Wildcats at least nine wins in a season for the third-straight season.
Now it’s time to build on that. Expectations are high headed into the 2025 season. Sure, the Wildcats have plenty of key players to replace — like cornerback Jacob Parrish, running back DJ Giddens, and safety Marques Sigle who were all drafted by NFL teams back in April — but some of the biggest pieces remain.
Avery Johnson returns to lead the K-State offense as a true junior with a whole season as starter last season. It wasn’t always pretty, but Johnson pushed through the growing pains and showed improvement at the end of the season. Now he’s had two complete offseasons with QB coach Matt Wells, and a whole offseason in the new offense under Wells that debuted in the bowl game. He’s got some returning weapons like Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson who both had big games out of the backfield against Rutgers, as well as some new weapons on the outside that should hopefully help unleash the aerial attack.
On defense, Austin Romaine returns to the middle of the K-State defense amid a ton of fanfare for the true junior. VJ Payne is also back at safety, and The Major is a force on the back end with a ton of game experience now. Key additions mostly came outside at corner, Joe Klanderman and the defensive staff look to fill Parrish’s shoes.
There’s no good way to predict this game. It’s the season opener, but it’s not a typical start to the season. The Wildcats are in Ireland, facing off against Iowa State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. FARMAGEDDON across the pond. Insanity on another continent. The Cyclones are coming off their best season in school history with 11 wins, a trip to the Big 12 Championship, and a win in the Pop Tarts Bowl. They’ve got a bunch of big pieces to replace as well, and are also returning a starting QB and lots of good experience across the roster.
Normally, I would say this is going to be a good game. But it’s FARMAGEDDON. It’s the season opener. And it’s far away from home for both teams. It’s likely not going to be pretty regardless of the outcome. Let’s just hope it’s a fun game.
We’ve got an 11:00am CT kickoff for FARM O’GEDDON from Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland, and you can catch the action on ESPN (or online via <a href="https://www.espn.com/watch/player/_/id/eec1d723-7be7-466f-afb4-1a2bc99a677b">WatchESPN.com</a>) with Dave Pasch (Play-by-Play), Dusty Dvoracek (Analyst), Taylor McGregor (Sidelines) on the call.
If you don’t have ESPN or can’t access the stream, the game can be heard across the <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/2015/6/29/_131476204439108399.aspx">28-station K-State Sports Network</a> with Wyatt Thompson (play-by-play), former K-State quarterback Stan Weber (analyst), and Matt Walters (sidelines) calling the action. The game will also be on SiriusXM Satellite Radio Ch. 84, and <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/watch/">available online at K-Statesports.com</a>. Live stats are also available at k-statesports.com, and social media updates (@KStateFB) will also be a part of the coverage.
Go Cats!
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Jon Morse</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>Adam Stewart</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>H Wildcat</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>JT VanGilder</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>Eric Rubottom</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>Drew Schneider</name>
</author>
<author>
<name>Luke Thompson</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Kansas State/Iowa State: Staff Picks]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27793/kansas-state-iowa-state-staff-picks" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27793</id>
<updated>2025-08-23T01:26:12-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-23T08:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[It’s almost time to start the 2025 season, and as we head into opening day in Dublin, we got the staff together to offer their takes on how today’s Irish clash will shake out. Do we recommend that you use this information over on FanDuel? Well, I guess that depends on how much you trust […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
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<img alt="ORLANDO, FL – DECEMBER 28: the mIowa State Cyclones mascot poses during the Pop-Tarts Bowl game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)" data-caption="Teeth. Come on, man, teeth?" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2192165571.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
Teeth. Come on, man, teeth? </figcaption>
</figure>
It’s almost time to start the 2025 season, and as we head into opening day in Dublin, we got the staff together to offer their takes on how today’s Irish clash will shake out. Do we recommend that you use this information over on <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf">FanDuel</a>? Well, I guess that depends on how much you trust one or more of us. For comparison’s sake, FanDuel has the Wildcats as a 3.5 point favorite, with the over at 50.5, and that suggests a 27-23 Wildcat win.
Adam Stewart: I’m calling for 20-18, Wildcats. It’s week zero, six time zones from home, and is the only game on in its time slot so it will have a big audience. There are probably going to be quite a few miscues. I’m hopeful that entertainingly stupid stuff will happen, rather than just being bad, but either way I think it’s a relatively low-scoring game.
Wildcat00: 24-21 Cats. It’s not that I have an enormous amount of faith in K-State right now. But I feel like we typically run out of steam against Iowa State towards the end of the season, when the Cats are rarely 100% and susceptible to all sorts of Farmageddon shenanigans. At the beginning of the season and still relatively healthy, I expect K-State to be well prepared and healthy. I suspect both teams will be a bit rough (especially with all the travel), but the Cats will be just a tiny bit bitter.
JT VanGilder: 24-17 Wildcats. Matt Campbell has had Klieman’s number, but this time he won’t have a full season of film to break down tendencies; plus the Wildcats are breaking in fewer key pieces from last season. Add in hangover from Iowa State’s best season ever, and it should be enough to give the Cats an edge. But it’s Farmageddon, regardless of continent, so that means it’s going to be weird.
Eric Rubottom: I’m actually thinking a little higher scoring. I just saw O/U is at 50.5, with K-State a 3.5-point favorite, suggesting Vegas seeing something like a 27-24 K-State win. My gut reaction was to smash the over on that; I could see this being a 35-31 type affair. Of course, I have to go with the good guys taking the W… but it is Farm O’Geddon, so only God knows what craziness will ensue. Wyatt Thompson mentioned well over 10,000 K-State fans made the trip, and being our intrepid boots-on-the-ground roving reporter (Editor note: Eric is on-site in Dublin), I would estimate that it’ll be a 60/40 split towards a home game for us. There are plenty of corn-eaters here, and it seems like every bowl game I go to there are more opposing fans attending than I notice throughout the week. That’s my story – going to go down another pint of Guinness.
Drew Schneider: This is a game that’s going to hinge on mistakes. The pressure is high, the experience is low, and they’re playing in a foreign country (which I will refrain from complaining about until after the game).
This most likely won’t be a shining example of the game of American football.
Kansas State has more playmakers on offense, and all things being equal, which I think they are, I’ll take the team with the more proven and explosive players on offense.
It could go either way, but I’m going to go out on a limb and say K-State gets up early and forces Iowa State to try and keep up with their untested passing attack. Becht throws at least 1 pick trying to make things happen on his own and the ‘Cats put down a crucial Big 12 marker early.
Kansas State 27 – Iowa State 17.
Luke Thompson: Maybe I’m still scarred from the past two seasons, or maybe I’m skeptical that Avery Johnson will take the leap forward we’re all expecting from him. At least not in Week 1 in Dublin. I still think he’ll be an All-Big 12 quarterback when this season ends. But my confidence just isn’t all that high going up against a tough Iowa State team with a tough veteran quarterback, a solid, experienced tailback and a decent amount of guys back from a defense that was the best in the Big 12 at defending the pass last season. I think K-State falls 28-24.
I’m sorry. But somebody had to do it.
Jon Morse: I’m always hesitant to pick scores, to the point I won’t do it in opposing site Q&As. Having said that, I think the bettor’s brain is pretty on-target here. On paper I think this is more like a 10-point K-State win, but I’m going to need to see Avery Johnson more consistently not have a WTF day, I need to see if the imported receivers are the real deal, and perhaps most importantly I need to see how the offense runs with Matt Wells fully in the driver’s seat. I’ll ride the line and say 27-23 Cats.

]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>BracketCat</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[1 DAY TO 2025 KICKOFF: Jayden Rowe]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football-roster-countdown/27780/1-day-to-2025-kickoff-jayden-rowe" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/27780/1-day-to-2025-kickoff-jayce-brown</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T20:26:12-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T21:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football Roster Countdown" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Goal No. 1: COMMITMENT. To common goals and to being successful. #1 Jayden Rowe Redshirt Junior | 6-1 | 227 lbs. | Tulsa, Oklahoma Jayden Rowe (b. Sept. 11, 2003) is an athletic transfer cornerback from OU who has battled injuries and a general lack of playing time, which explains why he’d be willing to leave […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="#27 Jayden Rowe" data-caption="Oklahoma transfer defensive back Jayden Rowe (27) could eventually help us out a lot at cornerback, but right now he has a lot of catching up to do. Look for him to make more of an impact later in the season, maybe. | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-1753438244.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
Oklahoma transfer defensive back Jayden Rowe (27) could eventually help us out a lot at cornerback, but right now he has a lot of catching up to do. Look for him to make more of an impact later in the season, maybe. | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images </figcaption>
</figure>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Goal No. 1: COMMITMENT. To common goals and to being successful.
</blockquote>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="VRGKyS">#1 <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/jayden-rowe/12590">Jayden Rowe</a></h1>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="d3ADVg">Redshirt Junior | 6-1 | 227 lbs. | Tulsa, Oklahoma</h5>
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/01_Rowe_Jayden.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,4.4349939246659,100,91.130012150668" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Jayden Rowe" data-portal-copyright="" />
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Position: Cornerback</li>
<li>Previous College: University of Oklahoma</li>
<li>Projection: Co-Starter (eventually)</li>
<li>Status: On Scholarship</li>
</ul>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity" />
Jayden Rowe (b. Sept. 11, 2003) is an athletic transfer cornerback from OU who has battled injuries and a general lack of playing time, which explains why he’d be willing to leave the vaunted SEC for <a href="https://x.com/TheJaydenRowe/status/1867367345452208432">little ol’ K-State</a>.
He has three years left to play two seasons, thanks to a medical redshirt in his back pocket from missing a year.
Rowe, <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/2/12/sports-extra-eyes-on-the-future">who says he runs a 4.39 40-yard dash</a>, played in three games in 2022 as he retained his redshirt, seeing time as a reserve defensive back for the Sooners and on special teams against TCU, Texas and Kansas.
He then appeared in the 2023 season opener against Arkansas State — seeing time on nine defensive snaps — before sustaining a season-ending injury that cost him the rest of his redshirt freshman year.
Last season, Rowe saw action in five games at Oklahoma, playing primarily on the kickoff return and kickoff coverage units against Temple, Tulane, Texas, South Carolina and LSU. Easy to see why he wanted a change.
Rowe is currently listed as a co-backup, along with <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football-roster-countdown/27587/11-days-to-2025-kickoff-amarion-fortenberry">Amarion Fortenberry</a>, to projected starter <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/24475761/25-days-2025-kickoff-zashon-rich-kansas-state-football">Zashon Rich</a>.
Here is what his new position coach, assistant head coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/van-malone/2639">Van Malone</a>, <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/2/12/sports-extra-eyes-on-the-future">said about Rowe back in February</a>:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
A guy like Jayden, he’s athletic, he’s been productive over the course of his life as an athlete, and those kinds of people, they walk in and kind of command a certain level of respect. I had a conversation with Jayden the other day. I told him, “Everybody is watching you, how you carry yourself and interact with people.” He’s a guy who mixes into a team and tries to add value to that group. The way he does those things is going to lead him to being a leader on our team.
Of course, it’s always going to be connected to your productivity on the football field, but I think he’ll do a good job with that as well.
</blockquote>
Defensive coordinator <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/joe-klanderman/2640">Joe Klanderman</a> also thinks Rowe can be special player in his defensive scheme:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Jayden is a different animal. He’s about 227 pounds and ran a 10.3 in high school and is physical — I mean, he uses it. You think change of direction would be an issue for him but it’s not. He’s a different animal. He came from a system at Oklahoma where they did so much, and I don’t know if he did any technique really well. We do less with our guys but try to do it with great technique. We’re trying to get him dialed in with just that. I don’t think it’s a stress for him mentally, but I think just, “Hey, I’m a divider,” or “I’m a man player.” That’s what we’re trying to work on with him.
</blockquote>
He prepped under head coach Kirk Fridrich at Union High School in Tulsa — where he was viewed as the 205th-best overall prospect in the Class of 2022 by <a href="http://www.247Sports.com">247Sports</a>, which also rated him the 27th-best cornerback in the class and the fifth-best prospect in the state of Oklahoma — and also competed in track and field in high school.
Rowe originally signed with Oklahoma over offers from Arkansas, Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Kentucky, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Oregon State, Texas Tech, Tulsa and Washington State.
He also garnered recruiting interest from Louisville. <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/2/12/sports-extra-eyes-on-the-future">Learn more about Rowe’s journey to K-State</a> in this piece.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Drew Schneider</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Iowa State Depth Chart / Preview – Defense]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27777/iowa-state-depth-chart-preview-defense" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27777</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T20:33:24-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T20:33:24-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Time is running short. I took at the Iowa State offense here, now let’s get after the defense. Defensive End #58 – Tamatoa McDonough: (6-5, 265, Sr.) #88 – Ikenna Ezeogu: (6-5, 285, Jr.) Farmageddon would like to welcome Yale graduate Tamatoa McDonough to the midwestern experience (via Ireland). Considered a mid-3*(84.3), McDonough had 27 […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-23295098.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
</figcaption>
</figure>
Time is running short. I took at the Iowa State offense <a href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/kansas-state-football/27764/preview-iowa-state-depth-chart-preview-offense">here</a>, now let’s get after the defense.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Defensive End</h2>
#58 – Tamatoa McDonough: (6-5, 265, Sr.) 
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#8 – Vontroy Malone: (6-4, 265, Jr.)</li>
</ul>
#88 – Ikenna Ezeogu: (6-5, 285, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>55 Jace J. Gilbert (6-5, 280 Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Farmageddon would like to welcome Yale graduate Tamatoa McDonough to the midwestern experience (via Ireland). Considered a mid-3*(84.3), McDonough had 27 tackles and 6.5 sacks for the Bulldogs last season on the way to being named second-team All-Ivy League. It will be interesting to see how he holds up against K-State’s non-Ivy league offensive line.
This will be Ezeogu’s first season as a full-time starter after playing on the ISU second unit the last two seasons. Last season he registered 19 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and a sack. On3 considered him a 4* prospect in the 2022 recruiting class, and he’ll have an opportunity to justify that lofty rating on Saturday.
Malone is a Tulsa transfer who put up 25 tackles, 5 tackles for loss, and 2 sacks for the Golden Hurricane last year. Gilbert was a consensus 3* prospect in the in the 2024 class who redshirted.
This game is going to be won in the trenches, and these defensive ends would make me nervous if I were an Iowa State fan (gross). They haven’t proven anything at this level of competition yet, and Kansas State is a team that puts incredible pressure on the defensive end position.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-1724869436.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="NEW HAVEN, CT - OCTOBER 14: Yale Bulldogs defensive lineman Tamatoa McDonough (9) applies the defensive pressure as Sacred Heart Pioneers Rob McCoy (2) looks to pass during the game as the Sacred Heart Pioneers take on the Yale Bulldogs on Octoberber 14, 2023, at the Yale Bowl, Class of 1954 Field in New Haven, Connecticut.(Photo by Williams Paul/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Interior Defense Line</h2>
Defensive Tackle
#53 – Zaimir Hawk: (6-3, 305, So.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#56 – Alijah Carnell: (6-5, 290, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Nose Guard
#95 – Domonique Orange: (6-4, 325, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#52 – Ka’Mori Moore: (6-1, 320, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Much like at defensive end, there isn’t much experience at defensive tackle. Hawk played as a reserve last season and put up 9 tackles and .5 tackles for loss. Carnell played in 4 games, registered 2 tackles and redshirted.
Orange is the old head on the defensive line. He played in 13 games and started 7 in 2024, registering 24 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss, and was Honorable Mention All-Big 12 in 2023 and 2024. They’re going to put him directly over Sam Hecht and try to close up the interior run game. It’ll take a double team to dislodge him.
The good news for the cats is that a true freshman, Ka’Mori Moore, is second on the depth chart, and while I’m sure the true freshman is talented, K-State’s offensive line isn’t the ideal opponent for your first college football game.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2188537387.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 07: Arizona State Sun Devils quarterback Sam Leavitt (#10) lunges forward as he is tackled by Iowa State Cyclones defensive lineman Domonique Orange (#95) during the Big 12 championship football game between the Arizona State Sun Devils and the Iowa State Cyclones on December 7, 2023 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. (Photo by Matthew Visinsky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Linebacker</h2>
Weak Side Linebacker
#26 – Caleb Bacon: (6-4, 240, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#0 – Zachary Lovett: (6-2, 250, Sr.)</li>
</ul>
Bacon is returning from a season-ending injury he suffered playing on special teams in the 2024 opener against North Dakota. Not sure why you have a starter covering kicks against North Dakota, but I’m just a humble blogger. Regardless, Bacon is back and looking to build off his 2023 season when he finished second on the team with 60 tackles and made the Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List and was a Burlsworth trophy nominee (best walk-on in the nation). 
Zachary Lovett is a career backup and key special teams contributor.
Middle Linebacker
#47 – Kooper Ebel: (6-4, 235, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#9 – Cael Brezina: (6-3, 235, So.)</li>
</ul>
Ebel is one of the few returning starters in the front 7. He started all 14 games for the Cyclones last season, recording 69 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, and a sack in his first year as a starter. 
His back-up, Cael Brezina, made 7 starts in his stead while dealing with his own nagging injuries and recorded 22 tackles and 3 tackles for loss.
Strong Side Linebacker
#23 – Will McLaughlin (6-4, 240, Jr.) OR #14 – Carson Willich (6-1, 225, Jr.) OR #34 – Beau Goodwin (6-3, 230, So.)
Iowa State has a pu pu platter of strong side linebackers to choose from, which usually means there isn’t anyone you feel entirely comfortable with on the roster.
McLaughlin started all 13 games in 2o23, but missed the first 9 games of 2025 dealing with an injury. He started 4 of the last 5 games down the stretch, recording 15 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and forced a fumble in the bowl game.
Carson Willich missed all of 2024 after suffering an injury in spring camp. In 2023 he played in all 13 games, finishing the season with 25 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 QB hurries.
Last but not least, Beau Goodwin played in 12 games and started two games as a true freshman in emergency duty. He finished the season with 24 tackles, including 3 tackles for loss, and broke up a couple of passes.
My guess is McLaughlin gets the majority of snaps because he’s the better run defender out of the three options, and also has significantly more starting experience than his cohorts. When he comes off the field on passing downs, it will be a choice between Willich and Goodwin. Again, this is another position where Iowa State isn’t exactly sure what they’re going to get.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-21759129.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0.0056060096423423,100,99.988787980715" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Oct 28, 2023; Waco, Texas, USA; Baylor Bears tight end Drake Dabney (89) breaks free of a tackle against Iowa State Cyclones linebacker Kooper Ebel (47) during the first half at McLane Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Safety</h2>
Star
#31 – Marcus Neal Jr.: (6-1, 215, So.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#29 – Drew Surges: (6-1, 205, So.)</li>
</ul>
Star is essentially an extra safety Iowa State moves around when they deploy their 3-3-5 defensive scheme.
Neal is another untested starter. Last season as a true freshman he played in 13 games and finished the season with 18 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. His best game came against Miami in their bowl game where he made 8 of his 8 tackles. Surges is a former walk-on who redshirted in 2024 after dealing with injuries. He had a tackle and more importantly, an interception, against Miami in the bowl game.
Free Safety
#2 – Jamison Patton: (6-2, 210, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#19 – Ta’Shawn James: (6-1, 215, So.)</li>
</ul>
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but Iowa State is breaking in a new starter as free safety. Patton played in 14 games and started the game against Kansas State in 2024. He put up 15 tackles and picked off a West Virginia pass.
James made two starts in 2024 and finished the season with 41 tackles and a forced fumble. He had 8 tackles against Kansas State and 8 tackles against Miami to end the season, but couldn’t take the starting job from the returning Patton.
Strong Safety
#4 – Jeremiah Cooper: (6-0, 195, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#20 – Khijohnn Cummings-Coleman: (5-11, 205, Fr.) OR</li>
<li>#36 – Carson Van Dinter: (6-3, 210, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Cooper is the star of this Iowa State show in the secondary. He started 14 games last season, recording 48 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, breaking up 8 passes, and picking off 2 passes. More impressively, in 2023, he picked off 5 passes and broke up 10 passes. He’s not a player you mess around with, especially considering the lack of experience around him. Avery needs to find Cooper and go in the opposite direction of the 2023 1st team All-SEC selection and honorable mention 2024 selection.
Cummings-Coleman took a redshirt and played on the scout team last season. Van Dinter was the special teams scout team player of the year in 2024. Iowa State desperately needs Cooper to stay healthy.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-24932976.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,8.3477959041999,100,83.3044081916" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils wide receiver Xavier Guillory (1) catches a touchdown pass against Iowa State Cyclones defensive back Jeremiah Cooper (4) in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-Imagn Images" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Cornerback</h2>
Field Corner
#3 – Jontez Williams: (5-11, 200, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#5 – Beni Ngoyi: (6-4, 200, So.) OR</li>
<li>#38 – Eddie Lemos: (5-10, 195, Jr.)</li>
</ul>
Williams is their best corner by a wide margin. He started 12 games in 2024, finishing the season with 46 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss and a team-leading four interceptions. Where Jace Brown goes, Williams will most likely follow.
Ngoyi played 14 games at receiver last season before transitioning to defensive back in the offseason. Lemos played 9 games on special teams in 2024. Again, there isn’t any proven depth behind Williams. That’s a bit of a theme for this Iowa State defense.
Boundary Corner
#7 – Tre Bell: (6-2, 205, Jr.) OR #24 – Quentin Taylor Jr.: (6-0, 205, Fr.)
Bell seems like he’ll get the call against the 6’5” Jerand Bradley. He played in 10 games last season and put up 24 tackles, six pass break-ups, and an interception…of course, he did that at Lindenwood University and not the Big 12.
Taylor played in two as a true freshman and took his redshirt.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-1763973039.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,6.3953488372093,100,87.209302325581" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 04: Wide receiver Luke Grimm #11 of the Kansas Jayhawks pulls in a pass as defensive back Jontez Williams #31 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 4, 2023 in Ames, Iowa. (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">What Does Any of This Mean?</h2>
As a Kansas State fan, I don’t like playing Iowa State in the opener. If I were an Iowa State fan, I would loathe it. This defense is almost a complete rebuild at nearly every level. The defensive front, in particular, is short on game experience, and starting with one of the more physical teams in the country isn’t ideal.
I’m sure there’s talent on this roster, but it’s going to have to emerge from the shadows of this depth chart, and hopefully that happens at some point after the game tomorrow. If I’m Matt Wells, I’m trying to mentally and physically attack this unit. There is something to be said about hard lessons learned on the field, and several of the Iowa State defenders will be learning those lessons in real time, in Ireland, against Kansas State tomorrow morning.
If the K-State defense can keep Iowa State from controlling the game with their offense, and find ways to get off the field, the offense should be able to wear down this inexperienced defense. They are breaking in multiple first-time starters and starters from 2023 who are returning from significant injuries. 
The longer the Wildcats can keep them on the field, the better.

]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>BracketCat</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[1 DAY TO 2025 KICKOFF: Jayce Brown]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football-roster-countdown/27737/1-day-to-2025-kickoff-jayce-brown" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/27737/1-day-to-2024-kickoff-jayce-brown</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T19:53:00-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T20:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football Roster Countdown" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Goal No. 1: COMMITMENT. To common goals and to being successful. #1 Jayce Brown True Junior | 6-0 | 179 lbs. | Fort Walton Beach, Florida Jayce Brown (b. April 30, 2005) is an experienced, athletic wide receiver from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida who is majoring in kinesiology and is roommates with […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="#1 Jayce Brown" data-caption="CAUGHT! FLAG! BROWN! TOUCHDOWN! DOIN’ IT FOR THE CATS! | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2178168362.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
CAUGHT! FLAG! BROWN! TOUCHDOWN! DOIN’ IT FOR THE CATS! | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images </figcaption>
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<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Goal No. 1: COMMITMENT. To common goals and to being successful.
</blockquote>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="VRGKyS">#1 <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/jayce-brown/12494">Jayce Brown</a></h1>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="d3ADVg">True Junior | 6-0 | 179 lbs. | Fort Walton Beach, Florida</h5>
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/01_Brown_Jayce.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,4.4349939246659,100,91.130012150668" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Jayce Brown | Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" data-portal-copyright="Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Position: Wide Receiver</li>
<li>Previous College: None</li>
<li>Projection: Starter</li>
<li>Status: On Scholarship</li>
</ul>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity" />
Jayce Brown (b. April 30, 2005) is an experienced, athletic wide receiver from Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Florida who is majoring in kinesiology and is <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/8/11/sports-extra-johnson-enters-2025-super-comfortable-and-super-confident">roommates with quarterback Avery Johnson</a>:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Jayce is my guy, that’s my dog. We spend a lot of time together outside the facility. Our chemistry gels. When we step onto the field, I’m able to talk to him as a brother and understand where I want him to be on different plays. It just makes us a more dangerous duo whenever we do step on the field.
</blockquote>
Brown is on the preseason watch list for the <a href="https://x.com/KStateFB/status/1953127678749622596">Biletnikoff Award</a>.
<a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1605549351396265986">He is very good at route running, can catch in traffic and possesses deceptive acceleration.</a>
Brown enters his junior campaign ranked fifth nationally with a career 17-yard average per reception (minimum 70 receptions), which ranks eighth in K-State history. He is the seventh-fastest player in school history to reach 1,000 career receiving yards, hitting the mark on just his 59th career catch.
This year, Brown needs 561 yards to enter the school’s top-10 list for career receiving yards, while he is 53 receptions and four touchdowns shy of the top 10 on those lists. He also has at least one reception in each of the last 21 games dating back to the middle of the 2023 season.
Brown did not redshirt in 2023 and instead <a href="https://twitter.com/jaycebrownn/status/1734978321316765718">played in 10 games</a> with starts in each of the final six contests, totaling 437 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 27 catches.
His 16.2 yards per reception were the most among all true freshmen nationally during the 2023 season, while he tied for eighth in total receiving yards and 10th in receiving scores.
Brown tied for the <a href="https://twitter.com/glenn_kinley/status/1742343103447507018">third-most receiving touchdowns</a> by a freshman in school history and the most by a true freshman (Tyler Lockett, 2011) as he built a <a href="https://twitter.com/WildcatNIL/status/1759286982142988642">connection</a> with <a href="https://twitter.com/glenn_kinley/status/1715949465159311556">Avery Johnson</a>.
He also produced the third-most receiving yards and tied for the fourth-most receptions by a freshman in school history, while both were the top marks by a true freshman.
Brown ranked second on the team with <a href="https://twitter.com/jaycebrownn/status/1698375856173830437">nine receptions of 20 or more yards</a>, which equated to 33.3% of his overall catches. He set a career high with 96 yards at Kansas, including a career-long reception of 46 yards on the first offensive play of the game.
Brown also had 88 yards against <a href="https://www.frogsowar.com">TCU</a>, which included a <a href="https://twitter.com/Big12Conference/status/1715875857787408708">43-yard reception</a> and his <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1716848415743611059">first career touchdown catch</a>.
He later had touchdown receptions at Texas and against <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a>, the latter coming in the <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1741963856191140196">Pop-Tarts Bowl</a> to <a href="https://twitter.com/H2_Recruiting/status/1740552827745992866">put the game away</a>. Finally, Brown set a career high with five catches each against <a href="https://www.widerightnattylite.com">Iowa State</a> and NC State.
Last season, he played in every game with 12 starts, leading the team with 47 receptions for 823 yards and five touchdowns, and his 823 receiving yards were the most by a Wildcat since Tyler Lockett in 2014 and were the <a href="https://x.com/KStateFB/status/1872457250058698816">most in school history by a sophomore</a>.
Brown also tied for third in school history among sophomores in receiving touchdowns and ranked fifth in receptions. He ranked 31st nationally and fourth in the Big 12 Conference by averaging 17.51 yards per catch.
Brown ranked eighth nationally and tops in the Big 12 in receiving average among players with at least 45 catches, and he tied for fourth nationally with seven receptions of at least 40 yards and eighth with four receptions of at least 50 yards, both the most by a K-State receiver since at least 2015.
He posted 25 receptions that went for at least 20 yards, which equated to 53.2% of his total catches, and had a banner day at Colorado, hauling in six receptions for 121 yards and two touchdowns, all career highs.
<a href="https://x.com/CFBONFOX/status/1845340621340614920">Brown tallied the game-winning touchdown</a> against the Buffaloes, a 50-yarder with 2:14 left in the game, and he had another 100-yard game at Iowa State, going for 106 yards on just three catches with two touchdowns.
He became the first Wildcat to record two receiving touchdowns in multiple games during a season since 2018 (when Isaiah Zuber did it against UTSA and Iowa State), <a href="https://x.com/CFBONFOX/status/1863039407969730797">hauled in a career-long touchdown reception of 65 yards</a> at <a href="https://x.com/jaycebrownn/status/1864095745566966152">Iowa State</a>, and narrowly missed another 100-yard game against Kansas when he had 98 yards on five catches.
Brown had 86 yards with a long of 61 yards at Houston, went for 78 yards with a <a href="https://x.com/UnnecRoughness/status/1840081686228271288">long of 55 yards against Oklahoma State</a> and tallied 71 yards (with a long of 44 yards) in the season opener against UT Martin.
He had five-catch games against <a href="https://x.com/KStateFB/status/1830773951670141051">UT Martin</a>, Arizona State and Rutgers, the latter coming in the Rate Bowl.
Brown also rushed three times for 42 yards against the Scarlet Knights and ranked seventh on the team by playing on 687 offensive snaps.
He prepped under head coach Frank Beasley at Choctawhatchee, where he earned first-team all-state honors as a senior from <a href="http://www.floridahsfootball.com/">FloridaHSFootball.com</a>, in addition to first-team all-area honors, after hauling in 48 receptions for 925 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Brown also carded 10 interceptions as a prep player on the defensive side of the ball.
He helped to lead the Indians to the third round of the playoffs in 2022 and also competed in basketball, baseball, and track and field.
Brown selected K-State over offers from Air Force, Alcorn State, Arkansas State, Army, Charleston Southern, Charlotte, Georgia State, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Tulane and Western Kentucky.
He also garnered recruiting interest from Alabama State, Dartmouth, <a href="https://www.tomahawknation.com/">Florida State</a>, Memphis, Mississippi State, <a href="https://www.redcuprebellion.com">Ole Miss</a>, South Florida, Tennessee and <a href="https://www.bloggersodear.com">Wake Forest</a>.
Brown’s main recruiters were coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/van-malone/2639">Van Malone</a> and former position coach Thad Ward.
His father, Don, was picked in the 1985 <a href="https://www.sbnation.com/mlb-draft">Major League Baseball Draft</a> by the <a href="https://www.redreporter.com/">Cincinnati Reds</a>.
One of Brown’s sisters, Brittany, played basketball at Florida State and currently plays professionally overseas, while another sister, Gabby, played basketball at East Tennessee State and West Florida.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Drew Schneider</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Iowa State Depth Chart / Preview – Offense]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/kansas-state-football/27764/preview-iowa-state-depth-chart-preview-offense" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27764</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T17:29:10-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T16:59:54-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Less than 24 hours remain until the ‘Cats and Cyclones take the field, ready to do battle in Irish Farmageddon! Let’s take a look at the Iowa State depth chart and see if it reveals any deep insights into tomorrow’s game. Quarterback #3 – Rocco Becht: 6-1, 210, Jr. Becht is a perfectly fine quarterback […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
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<img alt="" data-caption="" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-23894169.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
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Less than 24 hours remain until the ‘Cats and Cyclones take the field, ready to do battle in Irish Farmageddon! Let’s take a look at the Iowa State depth chart and see if it reveals any deep insights into tomorrow’s game.
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Quarterback</h2>
#3 – Rocco Becht: 6-1, 210, Jr.
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#7 – Alex Manske: (6-3, 225, Fr.) OR</li>
<li>#5 – Connor Moberly: (6-4, 220, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Becht is a perfectly fine quarterback most of the time and is occasionally a good quarterback. Last season, he was 271/456 (59.4%), for 3505 yards, 25 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also ran the ball 98 times for 318 yards and 8 touchdowns. More importantly, he helped lead Iowa State to an 11-3 record and a chance to play for a Big 12 title (which didn’t go so well for Iowa State).
My general assessment of Becht is that he’s a gamer. He’s not dripping talent like Avery, but last season, more often than not, when they needed him to make a play, he made a play. They beat Iowa by 1 point in the second game of the season. Iowa State was down 7-19 with 4:47 left in the 3rd, and then Becht led the Cyclones to 13 straight points, including a 54-yard game-winning field goal with 6 seconds remaining. 
On the road late in the season against Utah, Iowa State looked to be on the wrong side of a comeback. The Utes were down 24-13 with 5 minutes remaining in the 3rd quarter before two consecutive touchdowns to take a 28-24 lead with 5:51 remaining. Becht promptly took Iowa State on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to retake the lead. A missed 54-yard Utah field goal later, and the Cyclones got out of town with a win.
That’s all to say, you don’t want to leave Rocco hanging in a game late. He’s one of those guys who usually figures out a way to beat you if he’s given the opportunity. That pairs well with Iowa State’s punishing run game and strong defense, which tend to keep them in most games. Even in their loss 23-22 loss to Tech, Becht led Iowa State to 10 points in the fourth quarter, giving his team a 22-17 lead with 2:11 remaining. All the dense had to do was keep Texas Tech out of the endzone, but they couldn’t finish the assignment.
Becht shines in the 3rd and 4th quarter, and no lead is safe. You either need to put them away early, like Arizona State did in their 45-19 win over the Cyclones in the Big 12 Championship game, or you need to figure out how to get your hands on the ball last and end the game with your offense on the field.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-24933636.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=3.7505451373746,0,92.498909725251,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Dec 7, 2024; Arlington, TX, USA; Arizona State Sun Devils defensive back Shamari Simmons (7) tackles Iowa State Cyclones quarterback Rocco Becht (3) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Running Back</h2>
# 26 – Carson Hansen (6-2, 220, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#24 – Abu Sama III: (5-11, 210, Jr.)</li>
<li>#2 – Dylan Lee: (6-1, 215, Fr.) OR</li>
<li>#21 – Aiden Flora (6-0, 190, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Did I mention Iowa State’s punishing running attack, because that’s the story of the game for me. Kansas State can’t let the Cyclones’ dual-back attack consisting of starter Carson Hansen and key reserve Abu Sama. As you can see from their size listings, these are some big, strong boys Matt Campbell is bringing to this jig, and they run with an attitude.
In 2024, Hansen ran the ball 151 times for 752 yards (5 YPC) and 13 touchdowns. Sama III wasn’t far off the pace, toting the rock 124 times for 587 yards (YPC) and 2 touchdowns. Last season, K-State held Hansen in check, limiting him to 4.5 a carry on 13 touches, but Sama broke loose for 81 yards on 15 carries, and Becht found the endzone on the ground.
We’ve been talking about the Wildcats’ depth up front all offseason, and that has to play a factor tomorrow. I expect to see more 4-man fronts than you’ve seen out of Joe Klanderman’s crew in a while. You have to control the “A” and “B” and keep Hansen and Sama bouncing down the line instead of getting their shoulders square and attacking downhill. Tackling is sometimes spotty in opening games, and if you try to arm tackle either of these guys, they are going to make you look silly.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-24885933.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,2.0843315764255,100,95.831336847149" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Kansas State Wildcats safety Jack Fabris (36) knocks the ball out from Iowa State Cyclones running back Carson Hansen (26) during the third quarter in the NCAA football at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, in Ames, Iowa." data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Tight End</h2>
#18 – Benjamin Brahmer: (6-7, 255, Jr.) OR
#84 – Gabe Burkle: (6-6, 255, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>87 Cooper Alexander (6-4, 245, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Iowa State returns the same tight end tandem they featured last season. I wouldn’t consider either a major threat in the passing game. Brahmer’s best game last season was a 3-reception, 73-yard breakout against Arkansas State that was buoyed by a long reception. 
Brahmer was injured on November 2nd against Texas Tech. Burkle stepped up as the primary tight end and put up better numbers than Brahmer, putting up 73 yards and 6 receptions against Cincinnati, 5 receptions for 34 yards against Arizona State, and 4 receptions for 54 yards against Miami (FL) in their bowl game. 
I’m not overly concerned about either breaking out, but they’re both good enough to beat a defense deep if they get turned loose. Iowa State is going to pound the ball between the tackles a good bit. Sometimes, the tight end gets lost in the mix, and a well-timed play action pass can go for big yardage. The ‘Cats’ secondary has to maintain their discipline because it’s going to be tempting to throw as many bodies as possible at the run game, and that has led to tight ends being cut lose in the secondary on occasion.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2191025160.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="ORLANDO, FL - DECEMBER 28: Iowa State Cyclones tight end Gabe Burkle (84) gets flipped while running with the ball during the Pop-Tarts Bowl game between the Iowa State Cyclones and the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday, December 28, 2024 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Flanker</h2>
#82 – Tyler Moore: (6-5, 255, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#85 – Keaton Roskop: (6-3, 240, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Kansas State listed two tight end positions on their depth chart. Iowa State lists a tight end and a flanker. It’s the same thing. They’ll use Moore as a blocker. Where he lines up is a decent key for where Iowa State wants to run the ball.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/imagn-21602252.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=2.325,0,95.35,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Iowa State Cyclones tight end Tyler Moore (82) misses a pass against TCU during the first half in the Jack Trice Legacy Game at Jack Trice Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023, in Ames, Iowa." data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Wide Receiver</h2>
F – Receiver
#6 – Eli Green: (5-11, 195, Sr.) OR #4 – Xavier Townsend: (5-11, 195, Jr.)
X-Receiver
#11 – Dominic Overby: (6-5, 200, Fr.) OR #0 – Chase Sowell: (6-3, 210, Jr.)
Z-Receiver
#9 – Brett Eskildsen: (6-1, 200, So.) OR #10 – Carson Brown (6-1, 200, Jr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#16 – Daniel Jackson (6-2, 215, Sr.)</li>
</ul>
I’m not sure what to make of Iowa State’s wide receiver room, and from the looks of their depth chart, neither is Iowa State. Last season, Jayline Noel and Jayden Higgins were the tandem of wide receivers in the nation, both catching 80+ passes for 1000+ yards and a combined 17 touchdowns.
F- Receiver
Eli Green is going to play their “F” role (basically the slot) after pulling in 10 receptions for 115 yards last season, 4 of which came against North Dakota, but did put up 1.197 all-purpose yards as a freshman at North Dakota State before transferring to Iowa State after his freshman campaign. He’s quick with the ball in his hands and should feature in their screen game.
Xavier Townsend played in the Big 12 last season, but not for Iowa State. He put in 4 games of work at UCF, and looked good in those 4 games, hauling in 10 passes for 69 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 96 yards on 10 carries. Then he shut it down to preserve his redshirt and…gross, I hate that, but whatever, welcome to modern college football. He’s another quick receiver in the slot that they’ll look to get the ball to behind or around the line of scrimmage.
X – Receiver
These are the big guys they line up outside and throw the ball to when they end up in single coverage. That happens quite a bit with their run game. 
Overby played in 4 games and then took a redshirt last season. He had 1 catch for 9 yards, but the dude is an ATHLETE. He has the state 5A record in Utah in the 100m (10.54) and the 200m (20.91), and the overall state record for long jump (23’11”). I anticipate Rocco uncorking a deep one into single coverage to Overby at least once, and possibly multiple times, if given the opportunity to throw into single coverage on the outside. The best way to prevent that from happening is for the K-State defensive line and linebackers to hold up and allow Coach Klanderman to keep his safeties deep.
Chase Sowell was their big move in the transfer portal, coming in from East Carolina, and, like Overby, will be the deep threat in the offense. In 9 games last season, he brought in 34 receptions, which doesn’t seem like a lot, until you notice that they went for 678 yards and 3 touchdowns. He didn’t catch many, but when he did catch them, they went for almost 20 yards. That’s going to be his job in this offense as well.
Z-Receiver
This set of players will typically line up on the wide side of the field with the F-Receiver. They tend to be more of the all-around receivers that can block on the outside and run intermediate routes both to the sidelines and over the middle.
Eskildsen, like Overby, is an athlete. In fact, his 10.52 100m time is better than Overby’s. He was a key special teams contributor for Iowa State last season as a freshman, playing in 13 games and starting at wide receiver in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. He’s big and fast, but he hasn’t shown much in the way of catching the ball or running with it just yet.
He’s joined by Carson Brown, who played in 14 games, including 4 starts, and brought in 11 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. He was a solid special teams’ contributor for them last season and is looking to step up and help fill the void left by their two departed stars.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-1757487437.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="NORMAN, OKLAHOMA - OCTOBER 21: Defensive back Robert Spears-Jennings #3 of the Oklahoma Sooners drives into wide receiver Xavier Townsend #3 of the UCF Knights on a two-yard punt return in the first quarter at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium on October 21, 2023 in Norman, Oklahoma. Oklahoma won 31-29. (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading has-text-align-none">Offensive Line</h2>
Left Tackle
#75 – James Neal III: (6-6, 325, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#50 – Tyler Maro: (6-7, 305, Sr.)</li>
</ul>
As you can see, Neal III is a massive human being. He started all 13 games at left tackle for Iowa State in 2023 before being shuffled around the line in 2024, playing in all 14 games, with 4 starts at left tackle, 2 at left guard. He’s certainly big enough, but he couldn’t stick at left tackle last season, primarily because of speed rushers eating his lunch. The Cyclones’ game plan should protect him somewhat because he’s much better moving forward in the run game than moving backwards in pass protection.
Left Guard
#70 – Trevor Buhr: (6-4, 325, So.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#65 – Garret Rutledge: (6-7, 315, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
Buhr played in 13 games and started the last 4 for Iowa State, including the K-State game. He’s another big, beefy boy who wants to line up and punish the player across from him.
Center
#61 – Dylan Barrett (6-5, 325, Sr.) OR #51 – Brendan Black (6-4, 320, Jr.) OR #63 – Jim Bonifas (6-5, 320, Sr.)
Rest assured, someone is going to snap the ball for Iowa State tomorrow. It’s an integral part of the game, but they’re not exactly sure who that will be yet. That seems less than ideal from an Iowa State perspective.
Barrett was a reserve at Indiana who appeared in 5 games last season. 
Black is the most experienced option with 20 starts on his resume over the last 2 seasons, but all of those starts came at right guard.
Bonifas started 13 games at center for Iowa State in 2023 before being demoted to the bench in 2024 where he appeared in 10 games but didn’t have a start.
I think they would prefer Bonifas to start with Black at left guard and Barrett as the backup at both spots, but that’s purely speculation on my part. 
Right Guard
#51 – Brendan Black: (6-4, 320, Jr.) OR #61 – Dylan Barrett: (6-5, 325, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#54 – Vaea Ikakoula: (6-3, 355, Fr.)</li>
</ul>
I guess that if Black starts at center, Barrett starts at right guard. If Barrett starts at center, Black plays right guard, and if Bonifas starts at center, Black starts at right guard. 
You got that? I’m not sure I do, but we’ll keep moving.
Right Tackle
#66 – Tyler Miller: (6-9, 335, Sr.)
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>#72 – Austin Barrett: (6-6, 320, So.)</li>
</ul>
Miller is a monster. He’s started 37 games (10 at left tackle as a freshman and 27 as a right tackle). When the Cyclones’ need the tough yards, look for them to get behind #66 and let him lead the way.
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2182651198.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,3.1615925058548,100,93.67681498829" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="AMES, IA - NOVEMBER 2: Quarterback Jake Strong #17 of the Texas Tech Red Raiders, tackles quarterback Rocco Becht, #3 of the Iowa State Cyclones, as offensive lineman Tyler Miller #66 of the Iowa State Cyclones defends in the first half of play at Jack Trice Stadium on November 2, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. The Texas Tech Red Raiders won 23-22 over the Iowa State Cyclones. (Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images)" data-portal-copyright="" />
<h2 class="wp-block-heading">What’s All This Mean?</h2>
The strength of Iowa State last season was their passing game. The strength of Iowa State this season will be their run game. The line is massive, the backs are big, tough runners, and Becht can move around a little and create with his legs as well.
Their wide receivers look the part, but they haven’t done much of note on the collegiate level. They look like a group that should get better as the season progresses but may struggle early because of inexperience. I look for them to lean heavily on the more experienced side of the “or” equation in this game.
Basically, this looks like a team set up to pound the ball between the tackles, eat clock, and then try and hit an occasional deep shot once the defense gets nosy around the line of scrimmage off play action or some sort of pump-and-go route. 
The game plan isn’t complicated. Stop the run and make Iowa State pass the ball to pick up first downs. That said, it’s going to be tough to stop Iowa State from running the ball. If Iowa State controls the line of scrimmage, grinds out first downs, and lets Becht create occasional magic, they’re going to be tough to beat. If Iowa State struggles to run the ball, they’re going to struggle to win games through the air, at least early, with their new group of receivers.
Like most games, this thing will be decided in the trenches.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>JT VanGilder</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[SLATE: Wildcats start 2025 3-0]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/general/27756/slate-wildcats-start-2025-3-0" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27756</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T12:16:16-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T12:16:16-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="General" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="News" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[I know we’re only a day away from real live actual college football, but there are other Kansas State sports teams also doing things of note. Primarily the women’s soccer team, who has now opened the season at 3-0 after a third 2-0 win. This one came on the road against South Dakota (1-1-1), and […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="K-State fans attend a pep rally in Ireland ahead of the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic on Saturday (Photo by: Eric Rubottom)" data-caption="K-State fans attend a pep rally in Ireland ahead of the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic on Saturday (Photo by: Eric Rubottom)" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/IMG_9293.webp?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
K-State fans attend a pep rally in Ireland ahead of the 2025 Aer Lingus Classic on Saturday (Photo by: Eric Rubottom) </figcaption>
</figure>
I know we’re only a day away from real live actual college football, but there are other Kansas State sports teams also doing things of note.
Primarily the women’s soccer team, <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/8/21/soccer-k-state-picks-up-third-straight-win-to-begin-2025">who has now opened the season at 3-0 after a third 2-0 win</a>. This one came on the road against South Dakota (1-1-1), and the Wildcats actually scored a first-half goal this time. Sophomore forward Hannah Palmer picked up her second goal in as many games as her shot in the 36th minute hit the bottom of the crossbar but made it across the goal line anyway. Then sophomore Allison Marshall grabbed her first goal of the season in the 51st minute off an assist from junior McKinnan Braswell.
Maddie Sibbing, who was just named <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2025/8/20/soccer-k-states-sibbing-named-big-12-goalkeeper-of-the-week">Big 12 Goalkeeper of the Week for her two shutout performances last week</a>, tallied three saves on her way to her third-straight shutout. Her three saves were a season high, and the sophomore now has six saves on the young season.
The win marks the third time in program history that K-State has notched three straight wins, and the second time, after 2018, that the Cats have opened the season 3-0. The Cats have a break this weekend so they can get back to Manhattan and start classes on Monday, but they return to action next week with a two-game trip in Massachusetts starting with UMass Lowell on Thursday evening, and wrapping up against Harvard in Boston on Labor Day. That match against Harvard will be available on ESPN+ at 10:30am CT.
Over on the American football side of things, we’ll start with a story from ESPN’s Dan Wetzel, lamenting, as many of us already have, <a href="https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/46038961/iowa-state-kansas-state-farmageddon">the presumed end/pause of the Farmageddon rivalry</a> that has been continuously contested since 1917. Both fanbases agree that the schools need to find a way to meet in 2027 and keep the streak alive, but nobody is holding their breath that it will actually get figured out.
The Wildcats are all officially, and safely, in Ireland prepping for tomorrow’s contest. And, in a first thanks to a new conference rule, <a href="https://www.kansas.com/sports/college/big-12/kansas-state/article311792276.html">we have an official injury report ahead of the game</a>. Several players listed we’ve known would be missing time — like George Fitzpartick who had an emergency issue in late July — but we also found out that this will not be the grand entrance of K-State’s 5-star recruit Linkon Cure. But on a positive note, Gunner Maldonado is listed as “probable”, as the Arizona transfer is expected to be a key piece on defense for the Wildcats. The<a href="https://www.kcci.com/article/iowa-state-kansas-state-football-injury-reports-big-12-farmageddon/65863091"> only notable name for the Cyclones is guard Trevor Buhr</a>, who was listed as the starting left guard on the initial depth chart.

]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>BracketCat</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[2 DAYS TO 2025 KICKOFF: Colby McCalister]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/kansas-state-football/27736/2-days-to-2025-kickoff-colby-mccalister" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/27736/2-days-to-2024-kickoff-colby-mccalister</id>
<updated>2025-08-22T09:28:53-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-22T10:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football Roster Countdown" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Goal No. 2: UNSELFISHNESS. There is no “I” in TEAM. #2 Colby McCalister Redshirt Junior | 5-10 | 198 lbs. | Houston, Texas Colby McCalister (b. March 7, 2004) is an instinctive and experienced defensive back from Clear Brook High School in Houston, Texas, who is majoring in business administration. Entering 2025, he is still recovering […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="#2 Colby McCaslister" data-caption="For several seasons now, junior safety Colby McCalister (2) has been a mainstay as a key reserve. But his continued recovery from a late-season ACL tear means he will be unavailable Saturday. How long will it be before we can rely on him again? | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2184764328.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
For several seasons now, junior safety Colby McCalister (2) has been a mainstay as a key reserve. But his continued recovery from a late-season ACL tear means he will be unavailable Saturday. How long will it be before we can rely on him again? | Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images </figcaption>
</figure>
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Goal No. 2: UNSELFISHNESS. There is no “I” in TEAM.
</blockquote>
<h1 class="wp-block-heading" id="4XYKCZ">#2 <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/colby-mccalister/12528">Colby McCalister</a></h1>
<h5 class="wp-block-heading" id="d3ADVg">Redshirt Junior | 5-10 | 198 lbs. | Houston, Texas</h5>
<img src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/02_McCalister_Colby.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,4.4349939246659,100,91.130012150668" alt="" title="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" data-caption="Colby McCalister | Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" data-portal-copyright="Courtesy Kansas State Athletics" />
<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li>Position: Safety</li>
<li>Previous College: None</li>
<li>Projection: Second-String (eventually)</li>
<li>Status: On Scholarship</li>
</ul>
<hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity" />
Colby McCalister (b. March 7, 2004) is an instinctive and experienced defensive back from Clear Brook High School in Houston, Texas, who is majoring in business administration. Entering 2025, he is still recovering from a late-season injury and is unavailable for Farmageddon, but hopefully will be back on the field relatively soon.
McCalister redshirted and did not see playing time during the 2022 Big 12 Championship season.
In 2023, he saw action in all 13 games during his first season on the field, including starts in the season opener against SEMO and in the Pop-Tarts Bowl against <a href="https://www.backingthepack.com/">NC State</a>.
McCalister came away with 27 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, a sack, one pass breakup, and one forced fumble over his 223 defensive snaps and 122 special teams plays, and he carded a season-high six tackles against NC State and had four apiece against Texas Tech and Baylor, the latter game in which he recorded <a href="https://twitter.com/KStateFB/status/1723476313149751776">his first career sack</a> and a forced fumble. His pass breakup came against NC State in the bowl game.
Last season, McCalister saw action in every regular season game, including drawing starts against Colorado, Arizona State and Cincinnati. Unfortunately, he sustained a season-ending knee injury in that final home game.
McCalister registered 24 tackles, a fumble recovery and a pass breakup on the season over his 299 defensive snaps, including a career-high 51 snaps against Arizona State, and he tied his career high with six tackles against Cincinnati, while he had five against Oklahoma State and four at Tulane.
<a href="https://x.com/KStateFB/status/1830026211017515286">He returned a blocked punt 1 yard for a touchdown against UT Martin</a>, while he broke up a pass against Arizona, recovered a fumble against Oklahoma State and tied for fourth on the team with three special teams tackles.
McCalister was a three-year starter under head coach John Towels at Clear Brook, where he was regarded as the 87th-best cornerback in the Class of 2022 by <a href="http://www.espn.com/">ESPN</a>.
A three-time all-district selection who earned 2021 academic all-state honors, he totaled 63 tackles and two interceptions for the Wolverines over his three-year prep career.
McCalister also completed in baseball and at track and field as a prep.
He enters 2025 as the most trusted safety coming off the bench in relief of the starters.
McCalister chose K-State over a scholarship offer from Alabama State, as well as interest from Army (which possibly offered as well) and Colorado.
His primary recruiter was assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and cornerbacks coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/van-malone/2639">Van Malone</a>.
Here’s what head coach <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/chris-klieman/2638">Chris Klieman</a> has had to say about this cornerback-turned-safety:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
Colby has been a three-year starter. A really physical corner, he knows the game really well and has tremendous speed. We look for him to be a leader already in the secondary, just a really mature kid and excited to have Colby joining us as well.
</blockquote>
McCalister’s position coach and defensive coordinator, <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/joe-klanderman/2640">Joe Klanderman</a>, <a href="https://www.kstatesports.com/news/2023/4/6/sports-extra-in-search-of-more-depth.aspx">agreed with that</a>:
<blockquote class="wp-block-quote has-text-align-none is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow">
You’d love to have nine guys you feel comfortable with. Right now, I’m really pleased with Colby McCalister. He’s a guy who we weren’t sure what to expect in the spring (of 2023) and he’s far exceeded expectations.
</blockquote>
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Jon Morse</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Kansas State-Iowa State: All the Odds]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27748/kansas-state-iowa-state-all-the-odds" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27748</id>
<updated>2025-08-21T18:22:46-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-21T18:00:00-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[Continuing our look at what Vegas is thinking, we’re going to head over to FanDuel again and go to town. Our source, more directly, is the tab for this week’s game. Obviously. We’ll be expressing most odds in simple moneyline format. As you’re probably aware, the Wildcats are favored; today, that number is at -3.5, […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="Dublin , Ireland – 9 August 2025; A general view inside the stadium before the pre-season friendly match between Leeds United and AC Milan at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. (Photo By Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile via Getty Images)" data-caption="Welcome to Aviva Stadium, Wildcats" data-portal-copyright="" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2228449086.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
Welcome to Aviva Stadium, Wildcats </figcaption>
</figure>
Continuing our look at what Vegas is thinking, we’re going to head over to <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf">FanDuel</a> again and go to town. Our source, more directly, is the <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/football/ncaa-football-games/iowa-state-@-kansas-state-33960551">tab for this week’s game</a>. Obviously. We’ll be expressing most odds in simple moneyline format.
As you’re probably aware, the Wildcats are favored; today, that number is at -3.5, and the over is at 50.5 (so a 27-23 win is expected).
Dylan Edwards (-125) is the best bet to score a touchdown, any touchdown, at any time, and is a +550 bet to score the game’s first touchdown. Avery Johnson is the only other Wildcat with a better than 50/50 shot to find the end zone, at -105.
You wanna lay money on someone scoring two touchdowns? Edwards is a +420 bet, Johnson +550, and Jayce Brown is at +900. They’re respectively +1700, +2700, and +5000 to score three times, and the only player on the board for a 4-touchdown day bet is Edwards at +6500.
Next we have the yardage prop bets. Johnson’s expected to throw for between 200.5 yards, for a pair of touchdowns, and run for 51.5 yards. Edwards is being tabbed for 81.5 yards, and Brown is projected for 55.5 receiving.
For K-State’s first drive, the odds are -105 for a punt, +230 for a touchdown, and +500 for a field goal attempt (as well as +500 for “any other”, which we probably do not wish to see). Iowa State’s numbers here are exactly the same except with only a +270 for an opening touchdown.
The most likely score at the end of the first quarter is 7-0 Wildcats, at +650. Halftime is 14-10 for the good guys, at +3500. Checking in at +6500 is the most likely final, a 27-24 win for K-State.
]]>
</content>
</entry>
<entry>
<author>
<name>Jon Morse</name>
</author>
<title type="html"><![CDATA[Kansas State’s probability of making the College Football Playoff (and more)]]></title>
<link rel="alternate" type="text/html" href="https://www.bringonthecats.com/2025-k-state-football/27745/kansas-states-probability-of-making-the-college-football-playoff-and-more" />
<id>https://www.bringonthecats.com/?p=27745</id>
<updated>2025-08-21T16:34:19-04:00</updated>
<published>2025-08-21T16:34:19-04:00</published>
<category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="2025 K-State Football" /><category scheme="https://www.bringonthecats.com" term="K-State Football" />
<summary type="html"><![CDATA[On the verge of the 2025 season kicking off (it’s us, we’re kicking it off), it’s a good time to look at what Vegas has to say about Kansas State’s chances of Doing Things this year. For this exercise, we’ve dug through relevant information over at FanDuel to see what we can see. The Wildcat […]]]></summary>
<content type="html">
<![CDATA[
<figure>
<img alt="LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – AUGUST 04: NCAA football odds to make the College Football Playoff are displayed at the Westgate SuperBook sports book on August 04, 2025 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images)" data-caption="This is what it says on paper | Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images" data-portal-copyright="Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images" data-has-syndication-rights="1" src="https://platform.bringonthecats.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2025/08/gettyimages-2228691238.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&crop=0,0,100,100" />
<figcaption>
This is what it says on paper | Aaron M. Sprecher/Getty Images </figcaption>
</figure>
On the verge of the 2025 season kicking off (it’s us, we’re kicking it off), it’s a good time to look at what Vegas has to say about Kansas State’s chances of Doing Things this year. For this exercise, we’ve dug through relevant information over at <a href="https://sportsbook.fanduel.com/navigation/ncaaf">FanDuel</a> to see what we can see.

The Wildcat probability of reaching the College Football Playoff is 20.4%, expressed as a moneyline of +390. That seems a bit low, but since it’s still early it’s not a thing to sweat over. Why? Because K-State’s probability of winning the Big 12 is only 16.7% (+500). Again, that may seem low, but the Wildcats are actually the Vegas favorite to take the crown. Utah and Arizona State are right behind the Cats at 15.4% (+550), then Baylor and Texas Tech at 13.3% (+650).
A mere 0.7% (+15000) is the probability Vegas gives the Cats to win it all. Texas, at 15.4%, is the favorite. Strangely, despite K-State being favored to win the conference crown, Utah and Arizona State have slightly better chances of winning the playoff at 0.8% (+12500). However, they each only have an 18.9% chance to make the playoff, less than K-State’s.
¯\_(ツ)_/¯
The probability of going undefeated in the regular season is the likely explanation, as Vegas projects Arizona State at 7.1% (+1300), Utah at 6.7% (+1400), and the Wildcats at only 5.9% (+1600). This is schedule-related, mostly, as evidenced by Vegas thinking K-State has a better chance to win the Big 12 than the other two squads.
The over/under on wins for K-State is 8.5, but that number will of course by definition be lower than the expected wins almost by definition, as it’s designed to get people betting both sides of the line. The Cats show a 17% chance of reaching 11 regular season wins, a 1-in-3 chance of reaching 10, a 51.2% chance of reaching 9, and a better than 2-in-3 probability of hitting 8. In short, Vegas expects a typical Wildcat season in 2025.
Texas QB Arch Manning is the leader in the Heisman betting, being an 8-1 favorite to claim the trophy. Avery Johnson (2%/+5000) and Dylan Edwards (0.3%/+30000) are both on the board, though!
So what do you think? Any odds you’re confident putting your money on here?

]]>
</content>
</entry>
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<a href="http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.bringonthecats.com/rss/index.xml"><img src="valid-atom.png" alt="[Valid Atom 1.0]" title="Validate my Atom 1.0 feed" /></a>

If you would like to create a text link instead, here is the URL you can use:

http://www.feedvalidator.org/check.cgi?url=https%3A//www.bringonthecats.com/rss/index.xml

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