K-State Q&A: Predictions for Casey Alexander, Collin Klein in Year 1 with Wildcats
It’s time for another K-State Q&A.
Even though there isn’t much happening with the Wildcats at the moment, we have a robust lineup of topics to cover this week. So let’s dive right in with your questions.
Thanks, as always, for providing them.
We have the first three kickoff times and networks for the 2026 football season. Predict the other nine -@scottwildcat via X.
Just in case anyone missed it, K-State will open the season at 6 p.m. against Nicholls on ESPN+. After that, the Wildcats will play Washington State at 11 a.m. on TNT and then Tulane at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
My predictions for the rest of the schedule:
At Cincinnati - 2:30 p.m. on FS1
Houston - 2:30 p.m. on ESPN2
Kansas - 11 a.m. on FS1
At Arizona State - 9 p.m. on ESPN2
At Colorado - 9 p.m. on ESPN
Oklahoma State - 6 p.m. on ESPN+
At TCU - 2:30 p.m. on FOX
Arizona - 6 p.m. on FS1
At Iowa State - 11 a.m. on TNT
That seems like a nice mixture of game times, which means it will probably be wrong. It usually seems like K-State gets stuck with mostly night games or mostly early kicks.
I’m guessing K-State will play late at night when it heads west for games against Arizona State and Colorado. It will be fascinating to see which start time Collin Klein prefers when K-State is playing at home late in the season on ESPN+. But here’s guessing he chooses a late time to take advantage of the new LED lights at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.
What kind of car will Avery Johnson be driving this year? - Will H. via e-mail.
I don’t know the answer to this one, but he will almost certainly be driving a new vehicle next season.
Johnson has tried out a wide variety of automobiles since he first arrived on campus. His most famous car was the lavender Corvette, which I once got to drive (humblebrag) around the parking lot at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. But he has also driven a Mercedes and a Porsche.
It will be interesting to see what he decides to drive now that he is a senior at K-State.
My suggestion: a fully loaded Ford Expedition Max. After years of driving sports cars, he should get one of the largest vehicles on the road and drive his starting offensive line around town in style.
What are your thoughts on how much K-State football is displaying the all-white uniforms -@LifeofFitz via X.
It sure seems like Collin Klein and K-State football recruits both like “Storm Trooper” look.
With that in mind, maybe the Wildcats should wear it on the football field a few times next season. What sense does it make to leave your favorite outfit in the closet?
How much money do teams make by playing in the Players ERA tournament? And does that money go directly to NIL? -@ksucats32 via X.
Every team that participates in the Players Era tournament in Las Vegas will reportedly receive around $1 million in NIL money just for showing up.
Past champions of the event have earned an extra $1 million. Teams that have finished in second or third have received less of a financial reward, but the money reached six figures.
Many teams have spurned events like the Maui Invitational and the Battle 4 Atlantis in recent years in order to cash in on the Players Era. Everyone is looking for extra NIL resources for their players.
Money from the Players Era is supposed to go directly to players, but those payments are at the mercy of the College Sports Commission. Sometimes, those payments are delayed or rejected for various reasons.
K-State is playing Wichita State in KC in December. Who will K-State play in KC in December 2027? -@scottwildcat via X.
Let’s hope it is another regional opponent.
Recent games against Drake, Nebraska and Wichita State were all bangers at T-Mobile Center. Even though K-State held a crowd advantage, there were enough fans on the other side to make it feel like an intense neutral-court battle.
I want more of that.
The Wildcats should consider scheduling all of them again in KC. Iowa, Missouri and Saint Louis could also be good options.
Another fun idea would be for KU, K-State, UMKC and Wichita State to come together for a double-header in Kansas City. K-State could play Wichita State one year and then UMKC the next. KU would play the other team.
The Jayhawks probably wouldn’t go for that, seeing as how they don’t need much help selling out a game at T-Mobile. But it’s still an interesting idea.
We are closer to football season (100 Days) than we are to Jerome Tang hiring Tom Mars (101 days) to “fight” being fired with cause. Are there any updates on that potential lawsuit? What do you think will be the end result? -@PowercatRyan via X.
As of Thursday afternoon, Tang hasn’t filed a lawsuit of any kind against K-State in Riley County Court.
I have reached out to Mars several times for comment, and he has never replied. Another member of Tang’s legal team was willing to tell me that Tang is thrilled to be coaching for Baylor again, but he said there was no update to provide on the pending legal battle.
K-State athletics director Gene Taylor is also declining to comment on any questions about Tang and a potential lawsuit from the former coach.
What does that all mean? My read: Both sides are working behind the scenes to negotiate a settlement out of court.
K-State would have owed Tang a whopping $18.7 million had he been fired without cause. My guess is that the Wildcats will ultimately pay him less than half that amount and the battle will never reach a judge or jury.
Do you think K-State has a puncher’s chance of getting to the NCAA Tournament with this year’s hoops squad? -@ChiefCat via X.
I don’t think Casey Alexander will lead K-State to the Big Dance in Year 1, but it absolutely could happen.
The Wildcats will enter the season with a roster that is projected to rank 79th nationally and 15th in the Big 12, according to college hoops statistician Bart Torvik. Those numbers are up from where K-State finished last season, at No. 101. But most at-large teams are usually ranked inside the top 50. Even if you add in some new spots via tournament expansion, the Wildcats will need to exceed expectations to be on the bubble.
That’s the bad news.
The good news: The Cats could be better than expected. Alexander has recruited a bunch of long and athletic players who can shoot. They may not bring much star power to Manhattan, but they can win if they fit Alexander’s run-and-gun style.
K-State can try and follow the UCF model from last season. The Knights were rated as low as No. 92 at Torvik early on last season. But Johnny Dawkins got his team to gradually improve, win 21 games and reach the NCAA Tournament as a No. 10 seed.
Am I the only K-State fan who is excited that our basketball team has no one-trick ponies on the roster who we overpaid for terrible results? -@SteveTa52127231 via X.
Not at all.
After watching K-State win 12 games with PJ Haggerty and 16 games with Coleman Hawkins, some fans are happy that the Wildcats will be “ballin’ on a budget” this season.
Recruiting high-priced players who looked good on paper didn’t work with Tang. Maybe bringing in a group of hungry transfers who have something to prove will work for Alexander.
The most expensive rosters don’t always win the World Series. I think at least some K-State supporters are eager to see if the Wildcats can win with a Moneyball approach under a new coach.
Will it ever get better for the Cats? -@squirt8680 via X.
Yes!
Let’s not be so dramatic.
Sure, this has been a year to forget for the Wildcats. K-State didn’t reach the postseason in baseball, football, men’s basketball or women’s basketball for the first time in 20 years. But it’s not like every popular team on campus went winless.
The football team managed to win six games in a down year and will return a solid nucleus that includes Avery Johnson, Joe Jackson and Linkon Cure next season.
New head coach Collin Klein knows what he is doing. He should guide the Wildcats to at least eight wins and a bowl game next season. Maybe things will really come together, and they can challenge for a Big 12 championship.
Better days should arrive as soon as the 2026 football season begins.