Kansas State enters the 2026 season under first-year head coach Collin Klein with a 3-1 record after non-conference wins over Nicholls, Washington State, and Tulane, followed by a 26-31 Big 12 road loss at Cincinnati that exposed run-defense vulnerabilities. Dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson has driven a potent offense averaging over 40 points per game, supported by transfers and a defense that limited early opponents effectively before the conference opener. Preseason injuries to key offensive linemen, including left tackle John Pastore, and ongoing quarterback depth concerns have added challenges, though a current bye week offers recovery time ahead of matchups against Houston, Kansas, and road tests at Arizona State and Colorado. The remaining Big 12 slate features several winnable games but limited margin for error given the conference's parity and K-State's need to improve line play and run defense to build on the strong start.