This is the fourth post in a twelve-post series that gives a preseason analysis of what to expect from every opponent the Cincinnati Bearcats take on this upcoming college football season. We last looked at the Bearcats' week three opponent, the Miami Redhawks, whom they take on at a neutral site at TQL Stadium.
The Bearcats start their Big 12 regular season by taking on the Kansas State Wildcats in week four on September 26th at Nippert Stadium. The Bearcats last played Kansas State in 2024, where they lost 41-15, despite having 374 total yards to Kansas State's 428 total yards. The Bearcats went 0-for-5 on fourth down that game, which accounts for the large point differential.
The Wildcats went 6-6 last season with a 5-4 record in the Big 12, finishing tied for seventh place in the conference, having the same record as Iowa State, TCU, and Cincinnati last season. Kansas State's over/under win total is set at 7.5 on most sportsbooks.
Kansas State is entering head coach Collin Klein's first season. Last season, Klein was the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for Texas A&M, helping Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed break onto the scene. Klein will have a very similar quarterback to Reed with Avery Johnson entering his senior season and third season as the Wildcats starter.
Kansas State's other impactful players are expected to be Joe Jackson, a returning running back who ran for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns on 212 career carries, averaging 5.3 yards per carry. Wide receiver Jaron Tibbs is returning for the Wildcats as well; the speedy receiver had 77 catches for 942 yards and 5 touchdowns in his Kansas State career over 30 games.
Zashon Rich is expected to be the Wildcats' most impactful player on defense. Last season at cornerback, Rich totaled 46 solo tackles, 10 pass deflections, and one interception. Safety Adrian Maddux is also expected to have a big season for the Wildcats after missing most of last season while at Georgia. In 2024 while at UAB, Maddux totaled 30 solo tackles, 7 pass deflections, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 interception.
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