MANHATTAN — For Kansas State soccer, bowl eligibility must be seen because the naked minimal. This yr, whereas it did not look fairly at instances for the Wildcats, they need to attain their flooring for what a profitable season ought to appear to be.
Kansas State (4-5, 3-3 Massive 12) enters its final three video games in want of two wins to play within the postseason for the fifth-straight yr and its sixth in seven years beneath Chris Klieman. With two of their final three video games being in opposition to maybe the 2 worst groups within the Massive 12, it might take one thing catastrophic for it to not occur.
The primary of the 2 should-be-wins comes this week when the Wildcats go to Oklahoma State on Saturday, Nov. 15. Their second must-win will shut the common season out in Manhattan, when Deion Sanders and Colorado go to on Nov. 29.
The Wildcats go to No. 13 Utah in Salt Lake Metropolis on Nov. 22, one they will not be anticipated to win. When Okay-State was circled as a favourite to win the Massive 12 earlier than the season, the matchup between the Wildcats and the Utes was checked out as one that may be vital within the championship race.
However no less than it appears like they’re avoiding the embarrassment of being labeled a Massive 12 favourite and lacking a bowl totally, proper?
Oklahoma State parted methods with longtime coach Mike Gundy early this season, whereas the Cowboys nonetheless stay winless in Massive 12 play since their 2023 regular-season finale. The Cowboys have not performed an in depth sport since Sept. 19, after they misplaced to Tulsa and fired Gundy 4 days later. In opposition to Energy 4 opponents, the Cowboys are being outscored by a median of 33.8 factors.
Colorado has misplaced 5 of its final six video games, together with its final three, which have not been aggressive. The Buffaloes clinched that they will not be bowl-eligible this yr, and it is price questioning how motivated they will be the remainder of the yr. As well as, Sanders’ documented well being issues could make you marvel if the regular-season finale in Manhattan would be the final of his profession.
Each must be wins for the Wildcats, who, regardless of the loss to School Soccer Playoff contender Texas Tech, are taking part in at a a lot larger stage than they have been early within the season.
If the Wildcats have been to lose? We could have some tough conversations over the ultimate month, contemplating the present state of the Oklahoma State program and Colorado’s poor efficiency, particularly within the second half of the season. At this level, a loss to both must be checked out in the identical means because the Sept. 6 loss to Military, when it nearly felt just like the sky was falling down.
Kansas State is in a great place, and a bowl sport is not any small accomplishment contemplating how poorly the season began. Nevertheless, if the Wildcats do not emerge with no less than two wins, then one thing has gone actually incorrect.
Wyatt D. Wheeler covers Kansas State athletics for the USA TODAY Community and Topeka Capital-Journal. You’ll be able to observe him on X at @WyattWheeler_, contact him at 417-371-6987 or e mail him at wwheeler@gannett.com
