Kansas State University Football: 5 Keys to a Winning Season and Future Success

As I sit down to analyze the prospects for Kansas State University football this coming season, my mind can’t help but wander to a seemingly unrelated piece of news from the world of volleyball. The recent update that star setter Jia de Guzman is “STILL” not returning to the Creamline Cool Smashers, at least for now, underscores a universal truth in team sports: the absence of a single, pivotal piece can force a profound recalibration of strategy and identity. It’s a stark reminder that success isn’t just about having talent on the roster; it’s about availability, cohesion, and building a system resilient enough to withstand inevitable disruptions. For the Wildcats, navigating their own version of this reality—whether it’s avoiding key injuries or developing depth—is paramount. Based on my years observing college football’s ebb and flow, I believe Kansas State’s path to a winning season and sustained future success hinges on five critical, interconnected keys.

First and foremost, everything starts with stability under center. The quarterback position is the engine, and any uncertainty there sends ripples through the entire offensive scheme. Look, I’m a firm believer that a great system can elevate a good quarterback, but a great quarterback can transcend even an average system. For K-State, establishing a clear, confident starter early in fall camp is non-negotiable. We saw last season how rotational uncertainty can stall momentum; the offense never quite found its rhythm in several key conference games. Whether it’s the experienced veteran or the promising newcomer who seizes the role, the coaching staff must commit and build the entire offensive identity around that player’s strengths. This isn’t just about throwing for 3,000 yards; it’s about leadership, decision-making in critical third-down situations, and being the unshakable leader when the team travels to a hostile environment like Austin or Stillwater. Without that settled presence, the Wildcats will be playing catch-up in a league that punishes hesitation.

This leads me directly to the second key: offensive line continuity and dominance. I’ll be blunt—I love watching a powerful, mauling offensive line more than a flashy passing attack. It’s the soul of Kansas State football, or at least it should be. The Wildcats have built their reputation on being tougher and more physical than their opponents, and that battle is won in the trenches. Last year, the line allowed 28 sacks and averaged just 4.1 yards per carry in conference play, numbers that simply must improve. We need to see a unit that returns at least three starters and has gelled over the spring and summer. They need to create consistent push for what I hope is a deep and talented running back stable, giving the quarterback that crucial extra half-second in the pocket. If the line can elevate its performance to a top-3 level in the Big 12, it becomes the tide that lifts all offensive boats, much like a premier setter in volleyball orchestrates the entire offense. The absence of a key lineman, akin to Creamline missing Jia de Guzman, can derail the best-laid plans, so developing a reliable two-deep is crucial.

While offense sells tickets, defense wins the championships we all remember. My third key is generating a consistent, disruptive pass rush. The modern college game is about affecting the quarterback, and K-State’s defense has to be more menacing in this department. In 2023, the Wildcats recorded a respectable 32 sacks, but too many came in bunches against weaker opponents. The disparity in pressure in games against Texas and Oklahoma was glaring. I want to see a defensive end or an edge rusher emerge as a bona fide star, someone who commands double-teams and frees up blitzing linebackers. Imagine a player threatening 10-12 sacks for the season; that kind of individual threat changes offensive game plans weekly. Coordinator Joe Klanderman has shown creativity, but the talent up front must match the schematic ambition. A fierce pass rush covers for a lot of deficiencies in the secondary and creates the turnover opportunities that swing close games—a category where K-State was a disappointing -2 in league play last fall.

Culture and player development form the bedrock of any lasting success, and that’s my fourth key. Head coach Chris Klieman has instilled a strong culture, but the challenge is maintaining it through roster turnover. This is where the “future success” part of the equation really comes into play. The Wildcats must continue to excel at identifying and developing the three-star recruits who become all-conference players. It’s a cliché, but it’s their lifeblood. I have a strong preference for programs that build rather than just buy talent through the transfer portal. While strategic portal additions are essential—and K-State has made some good ones—the core must be homegrown players who understand the “Wildcat Way.” This means strength and conditioning, nutrition, and academic support systems that are best-in-class. Developing the next tier of players so there’s no dramatic drop-off when a star leaves is how you avoid the “for now, at least” limbo that teams like Creamline face without their key playmaker. It’s about building a program, not just a team for one season.

Finally, the fifth key is mastering the schedule’s inflection points. Every season has 2-3 swing games that define its trajectory. For 2024, road trips to Iowa State and West Virginia, and a home showdown with a rebuilt Colorado team, strike me as those pivotal moments. Going, say, 2-1 in that stretch versus 1-2 creates a completely different narrative and momentum. My perspective here is that great teams win the games they’re supposed to win and steal one or two they maybe shouldn’t. Last season, a heartbreaking 3-point loss to Missouri in a non-conference game ultimately kept them out of a bigger bowl. Those fine margins are everything. The coaching staff’s ability to have the team psychologically and tactically peaked for these specific contests is an art form. It’s about preparation, sure, but also about in-game adjustments and the emotional resilience to bounce back from a bad quarter.

In conclusion, while the absence of a star like Jia de Guzman can dominate headlines and create uncertainty, Kansas State’s formula for success is about mitigating such singular dependencies through systemic strength. By solidifying the quarterback position, re-establishing offensive line dominance, generating a fearsome pass rush, deepening the culture of development, and winning the schedule’s pivotal moments, the Wildcats can craft not just a winning season, but a blueprint for the future. It won’t be easy in an expanding and unpredictable Big 12, but the foundation is there. As someone who values toughness and development over fleeting star power, I’m optimistic that if they can check these boxes, we’ll be talking about K-State in Arlington come December, not wondering about what might have been.