Last week, I ranked the K-State home football games of the 2024 season from least compelling to most compelling. This week, I rank K-State’s road schedule. Generally, none of these road games scare me too much, so I find all of them winnable. Of course, you never know what might happen. No road game is ever easy, even in the non-conference…

6. At Tulane, September 7

Tulane was 8-0 in the AAC and 11-3 overall in 2023. They lost to SMU in the AAC championship game and then to Virginia Tech in the Military Bowl. After last season, Tulane head coach Willie Fritz left to coach Houston, and Jon Sumrall from Troy came to take over the program. K-State lost to Tulane at home in 2022, so there is a revenge factor to this game. Tulane should be good, but K-State should be as well. It will be a good early test for the Wildcats.

5. At Houston, November 2

Houston was 2-7 in the Big 12 in 2023 and 4-8 overall. They have a new coach in 2024, Willie Fritz from Tulane, replacing Dana Holgorsen. Not only will it be interesting to play a road game in Houston in November, but it will also be interesting to see if Fritz has things turned around by then.

4. At BYU, September 21

BYU was 2-7 in the Big 12 in 2023 and 5-7 overall. This game is pretty early in the season, so I am not sure what to expect. For personal reasons, I still want revenge for the 1997 Cotton Bowl. It was my son’s first K-State game, but he doesn’t remember it because he was still in the womb. I don’t recall a more disappointing finish to a game, but that’s a story for another day.

3. At West Virginia, October 19

West Virginia was 6-3, 9-4 overall in the Big 12 in 2023. The 6-3 conference record was the same as K-State’s. This game will not be easy, and, likely, both teams will still be in the hunt in mid-October.

2. At Colorado, October 12

Colorado was 1-8 in the Pac-12, and 4-8 overall, in 2023, but they continue to talk a big game and hope to make a big splash in the Big 12 in 2024. Shedeur Sanders, son of head coach Deion Sanders, was voted preseason first-team all-Big 12 quarterback. K-State quarterback Avery Johnson might have something to say about that. It will be the first time the two football programs have played each other since 2010.

1. At Iowa State, November 30

Iowa State was 6-3 in conference, and 7-6 overall, in 2023. This game is the final game of the regular season, and a trip to the Big 12 championship game in Arlington, Texas, might be on the line for both teams. K-State’s defense was humiliated against the Cyclones in the snow at Bill Snyder Family Stadium last season, so they will be looking to redeem themselves in Ames.

Can the Wildcats win all of their road games in 2024? I think they can. Will they? That remains to be seen.