Honestly, if you missed the latest Kansas State vs Colorado showdown, you missed one of those games that makes college football the chaotic, beautiful mess that it is. It wasn't just a game; it was a total clash of identities. You have Colorado, led by the flash and high-octane energy of Deion "Coach Prime" Sanders, going up against a Kansas State program that basically defines "lunch pail" football.
The scoreboard in their most recent 2024 meeting showed a 31-28 victory for Kansas State. But that number doesn't even start to cover the drama. This was a game where the lead changed late, stars went down with injuries, and a sophomore quarterback proved he could hang with a future NFL first-rounder.
The Night Avery Johnson Matched Shedeur Sanders
Everyone came to see Shedeur Sanders. They usually do. And for most of the night in Boulder, he was every bit as good as the hype suggests. Shedeur went 34-of-40 for 388 yards and three touchdowns. That is efficient. That is clinical.
But then there was Avery Johnson.
The Kansas State signal-caller didn't have the gaudy yardage—he finished with 224 through the air—but he had the "clutch gene." When Colorado took a 28-24 lead with just over three minutes left, the stadium was shaking. Most young QBs would've blinked. Johnson didn't. He marched the Wildcats downfield and dropped a 50-yard dime to Jayce Brown that essentially silenced Folsom Field.
It's sorta funny because people often underestimate Johnson's arm since he’s such a threat with his legs. In this game, though, his arm did the talking.
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Why Kansas State vs Colorado is the Big 12's Best New Old Rivalry
We have to talk about the history here because it's deep. This isn't some manufactured rivalry. These two schools were Big Eight and Big 12 staples for decades before Colorado wandered off to the Pac-12.
- The All-Time Series: Colorado actually leads it 45-22-1.
- The Current Streak: Kansas State has now won two in a row (2024 and 2025).
- The Margin: These games are rarely blowouts lately. The 2024 game was a three-point nail-biter; the 2025 meeting ended 24-14 in favor of K-State.
The dynamic has shifted. Back in the day, Colorado was often the powerhouse, especially during the Bill McCartney era. Now? Chris Klieman has built a developmental machine in Manhattan that just refuses to beat itself.
The "Travis Hunter Factor" and What Went Wrong for the Buffs
You can't talk about Kansas State vs Colorado without mentioning Travis Hunter. He's arguably the best overall athlete in the country, playing both wide receiver and cornerback at an elite level.
In the 2024 matchup, Hunter went down with an injury in the second quarter. It changed everything.
Without Hunter on the field, the Buffaloes' secondary looked vulnerable. Kansas State’s DJ Giddens started finding more room to breathe. Giddens is a monster, by the way. He racked up 182 rushing yards on 25 carries. Colorado’s biggest weakness for a while now has been their ability to stop a physical, downhill running game, and K-State exploited that until the wheels fell off.
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Even without Hunter, Colorado showed a lot of grit. Omarion Miller stepped up with 145 yards, and the Buffs actually took the lead late. But when you’re playing a team like Kansas State, you have to play a perfect four quarters. One mistake, one blown coverage on a 50-yard post route, and it's over.
Breaking Down the 2025 Rematch
Fast forward to the 2025 meeting, and the story was remarkably similar. Kansas State took care of business at home in Manhattan with a 24-14 win.
This game was less about the fireworks and more about the suffocating Wildcat defense. They held Colorado to just 14 points, which, considering the talent the Buffs have on the perimeter, is pretty incredible. It secured bowl eligibility for K-State and proved that the 2024 win wasn't a fluke.
How to Watch and What to Expect Next
If you're looking to catch the next installment of this rivalry, you’re in luck. Since Colorado rejoined the Big 12, this has become a protected matchup for the next few seasons.
- Check the Big 12 Schedule: These games usually land in the mid-to-late window of the season, often becoming "After Dark" specials on ESPN or FS1.
- Watch the Line of Scrimmage: If you want to know who is going to win, don't look at the star QBs. Look at the trenches. If K-State is getting 5 yards a carry, it's a long night for Boulder.
- Heisman Watch: Both teams are currently producing high-end NFL talent. Whether it’s Avery Johnson’s development or whoever takes the mantle after Shedeur Sanders, there’s always a Sunday-level player on the field.
The reality is that Kansas State vs Colorado represents the two different ways you can build a modern college football program. One is built on the transfer portal and superstar branding; the other is built on consistency and "growing your own" talent.
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Right now, the "Manhattan Method" has the upper hand.
For fans wanting to dive deeper into the stats or historical box scores, the Winsipedia database or the official Big 12 site are the best places to see how these numbers have shifted since 1912.
Keep an eye on the 2026 schedule release. With the way these last two games went, the next one is probably going to be a sell-out within hours of tickets going on sale.
To stay ahead of the game, track the injury reports for both teams at least three days before kickoff. In this rivalry, the health of a single "dual-threat" player—like a Travis Hunter or an Avery Johnson—is usually the difference between a win and a heartbreaking loss.