Kansas State’s championship aspirations have been thrust into the spotlight by Fox Sports analyst Joel Klatt. According to Klatt, the Wildcats could snatch the Big 12 crown and claim the No. 8 seed in the College Football Playoff, only to meet a formidable No. 9-seeded Alabama.

Responding to challenges in parity, the College Football Playoff is overhauling its seeding to create a more balanced competition—setting the stage for significant changes in 2026.