Kansas State ranked No. 16 in initial AP Poll
After being tabbed with a No. 17 ranking in the preseason USA Today Coaches poll, Kansas State saw a lift of one spot in the preseason AP poll when the voters listed them at No. 16 to begin the 2023 regular season.
Like the Coaches poll, it is the first time that K-State has been ranked in the first AP poll since 2017 when they were given the No. 20 spot. The ranking is the highest for the Wildcats in the preseason since 2004 when Kansas State was No. 13.
After winning the Big 12 last season , it is safe to say that K-State has earned the ranking. Even quarterback Will Howard mentioned that it was deserved when speaking to the media on Monday afternoon.
The ranking also comes on the heels of the Wildcats being picked to finish second in the Big 12 by the league’s media.
Kansas State boasts an offensive line with a combined 119 starts, a returning quarterback from the Big 12 Championship a year ago and added a pair of dynamic transfers along the skill positions on offense in Treshaun Ward and Keagan Johnson.
There is a plethora of talent on the K-State roster. It is why a number of players have been named to award watchlists in the last few weeks. Ward was even named Big 12 Newcomer of the Year by the media.
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Just like the Coaches poll, the Wildcats have been ranked in the AP poll every year under head coach Chris Klieman. Kansas State finished No. 14 in the final poll from the media last season after winning the Big 12 and advancing to the Sugar Bowl.
There are a number of teams that K-State will be familiar with in the initial AP poll. Texas and TCU are the only Big 12 teams that Kansas State will face that are ranked in the preseason poll. However, Oklahoma is also ranked No. 20.
Texas Tech, Troy, Kansas and Baylor are also receiving votes. That does not include Southeast Missouri State, who is No. 11 in the preseason FCS poll and is picked to win the Ohio Valley Conference this year as well.
The new Big 12 in 2024 has three teams in the top 17 with the addition of Utah, who checks in at No. 14.
