Kansas State football's 2026 schedule is set. Here's Collin Klein's first slate.

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MANHATTAN — Kansas State football’s first Big 12 schedule under coach Collin Klein has been revealed, with the Wildcats kicking off league play on Sept. 26 at Cincinnati.

The Big 12 released its football schedule on Wednesday, Jan. 21. The Wildcats will officially open the Klein era in a non-conference game against Nicholls at Bill Snyder Family Stadium on Sept. 5.

Notably, Kansas State‘s schedule doesn’t include Texas Tech, BYU or Utah — the three teams that finished atop the Big 12 standings in 2025. The schedule matrix that was put in place ahead of the 2024 season rotated in road trips to Arizona State and Cincinnati, and a home game against Houston.

Kansas State and Kansas’ annual Sunflower Showdown matchup is set for Oct. 17 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium. The Wildcats will enter the game having won the previous 17 games between the two. It will also feature former K-State running back Dylan Edwards suiting up for the Jayhawks.

The Wildcats’ schedule features four teams with new head coaches, including Washington State (Kirby Moore), Tulane (Will Hall), Iowa State (Jimmy Rogers) and Oklahoma State (Eric Morris). At least six of the Wildcats’ nine league opponents are expected to have new starting quarterbacks in 2026.

The 2026 Big 12 Championship game will move from a Saturday to Friday, Dec. 4, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

Kickoff times are to be announced. Games could be moved to Fridays and other special dates.

Kansas State football 2026 schedule

  • Sept. 5 — vs. Nicholls
  • Sept. 12 — vs. Washington State
  • Sept. 19 — vs. Tulane
  • Sept. 26 — @ Cincinnati*
  • Oct. 10 — vs. Houston*
  • Oct. 17 — vs. Kansas*
  • Oct. 24 — @ Arizona State*
  • Oct. 31 — @ Colorado*
  • Nov. 7 — vs. Oklahoma State*
  • Nov. 14 — @ TCU*
  • Nov. 21 — vs. Arizona*
  • Nov. 28 — @ Iowa State*

* — Big 12 game

Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Network and Topeka Capital-Journal. You can follow him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or email him at wwheeler@usatodayco.com

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Kansas State football 2026 Big 12 schedule released

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