K-State Weathered the Storm vs. Colorado, Now Faces Crucial Offseason Ahead

BY Cole Deutschendorf | 365 Sports 

The weather last Saturday during the final regular-season game for K-State fit the vibe of the season the Wildcats put together, with snow falling onto the turf and winds gusting to 40 miles an hour on a day that was already cold. Downcast and downtrodden, the Wildcats “ho-hummed” their way to a 24-14 victory over Colorado in a very uninspiring effort to move to 6-6, and most importantly, give them a fifth straight bowl appearance. But in a season where they were the betting favorite to win the Big 12 Championship, it feels, and rightly so, like a failure.

One week after setting a new program record for rushing yards against Utah, the Wildcats shockingly struggled to get the ground game going in the first half against the Big 12’s worst run defense, mustering only 59 yards on 19 carries. They would improve in the second half, finishing with 220 yards on the ground, including a second consecutive three-touchdown game from Joe Jackson. 

Jackson would score the dagger late in the fourth after an eight-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to make it a two-score game with less than three minutes remaining. The select few fans who dared to challenge the northwestern Kansas wind celebrated as the defense, which played another excellent game, made the final stop, holding Colorado on downs. 

Now all eyes look to what could be a significant two-month stretch for a program that had legitimate hopes of becoming THE team to beat after Oklahoma and Texas left to join the SEC. First, development for younger players will be crucial over the next month as the Wildcats prepare for whatever bowl game they are selected for. Ten weeks of practice could be helpful for a team that had its fall camp cut short because of a trip to Dublin, Ireland, for the first game of the season.

The transfer portal also looms large at the beginning of the 2026 calendar year. The offensive line will absolutely need to be addressed. That position group would probably be at the forefront of the issues the team faced this season, specifically on offense. Money and resources need to be spent wisely to shore up the trenches, as we’ve seen teams like Texas Tech prove that it all starts up front. 

Now the Wildcats play the waiting game. Does star wide receiver Jayce brown hit the transfer portal or declare for the 2026 NFL Draft? Will the Wildcats retain quarterback Avery Johnson, who set a K-State record for passing touchdowns in a career during the 2025 season? Will they get any more flips for next year’s recruiting class? Will any changes be made to a coaching staff that drew the ire of fans throughout the season?

Only time will tell.