Analyst calls Kansas ‘most underrated state in college football’

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) — It’s July, and with no college sports to watch until later this year, it’s what is colloquially known around the college football world as “talking season.”

Among those conversations is CBS Sports Analyst Josh Pate, who said Wednesday that Kansas’ two Power 4 college football teams — KU and K-State — could shock people in 2024.

“Kansas is the most underrated state in college football,” Pate said on his show, Late Kick, Wednesday. “Do you realize what Kansas State has been doing for a long time? Do you realize what Kansas is doing now? Both of them have head coaches that (CBS Sports) power rates in the Top 15 in America.”

One of the reasons for the two schools’ recent success, Pate said, is the investments made into football by the schools and athletic departments.

“The underrated part is not just about where they are now; it’s about where they could be headed moving forward,” Pate said. “They are taking things very seriously at both of these places … Kansas State’s got a beautiful new indoor (facility) that, frankly, rivals or surpasses a lot of the places in the Big 10 and SEC. That takes money, it takes investment.

“In Lawrence, down the road, they are doing $400 million worth of renovations,” Pate said of KU. “That is a signal to the entire world that they’re taking football as seriously as anyone does.”

The last few seasons have been a lot of fun for Jayhawks fans. After enduring an 11-year streak of not winning more than three games per season, KU is coming off a 9-4 season that ended with a win over UNLV in the Guaranteed Rate Bowl.

KU’s win total prediction has been set at eight games this season. According to CBS Sports, KU currently has better odds to win the Big 12 than Kansas State at +138, while K-State’s is +700.

Kansas State is also coming off a strong 2023 season that ended with a 28-19 win over North Carolina State in the inaugural Pop-Tart Bowl. The Wildcats’ win total for the season has been set at nine games

The Big 12 Conference is set to start its annual Media Days in Las Vegas on Tuesday, July 9. This is the first year it will be held in Las Vegas, and it will give conference coaches and select players the chance to speak to the media ahead of the 2024 season.

For Kansas State, head coach Chris Klieman will bring quarterback Avery Johnson, offensive lineman Hadley Panzer, linebacker Austin Moore, defensive end Brendan Mott and defensive back Marques Sigle.

KU head coach Lance Leipold will bring quarterback Jalon Daniels, defensive back Mello Dotson, running back Devin Neal and defensive end Jereme Robinson.

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