Kansas State fans getting a first look at the Collin Klein era in a video game are seeing a mixed bag: a respectable team rating, a few eye-catching player numbers and one very obvious issue that should get fixed fast.
EA Sports College Football 27 has the Wildcats at 81 overall at launch, which puts them in a tie for 34th nationally and right in the middle of the Big 12 pack. Kansas State lands behind Texas Tech (87), BYU (86), Houston (83), Oklahoma State (83) and Arizona (82), and sits alongside Arizona State, Colorado and UCF at 81.
The roster ratings give a pretty clear picture of where the game thinks Kansas State stands. The offense is dragged down by the line, while the defense’s top interior players and linebackers come in a little lighter than elite teams. The two highest-rated defensive tackles are 77 and 76 overall, and the highest-rated linebacker is a 75.
Around the Big 12, the rankings shake out like this: Texas Tech is first at 87, BYU second at 86, Houston and Oklahoma State are tied at 83, Arizona is fifth at 82, and then Arizona State, Colorado, Kansas State, UCF and Utah are all tied at 81. TCU checks in at 80, Baylor and Cincinnati are at 79, West Virginia is 78, Iowa State is 77 and Kansas is 77.
The game also brings back a fan favorite with “Mascot Mashup,” letting players take control of mascots again. That means Willie Wildcat is back in the mix as a playable character, and you can even load up a team full of Willie Wildcats.
Kansas State also gets a stadium option that lets players switch to a stripe-out look, with every other section alternating purple and white.
One early snag stands out immediately: Avery Johnson does not look like Avery Johnson. The game has him with black hair instead of the blonde look fans know, and that update is expected to come soon.
On the field in Dynasty Mode, the simulation gives Kansas State a 10-3 finish. The Wildcats lose to Houston, TCU and Arizona, but they do beat Kansas 45-2 for their 18th straight win in the rivalry, according to the game.
K-State does not make the College Football Playoff in the sim, while BYU wins the Big 12. Ole Miss wins the national title behind Trinidad Chambliss, who takes the Heisman.
Kansas State ends up in the Liberty Bowl and beats Georgia 38-17.
Johnson’s simulated season is productive: 19 touchdown passes, 13 rushing touchdowns, 3,301 passing yards and seven interceptions. The ground game gets a major boost too, with Johnson, Joe Jackson, Rodney Fields Jr. and Jay Harris combining for 41 rushing touchdowns.
The Wildcats’ top-rated players in the game start with Johnson at 88 overall. He’s just outside the top 10 quarterbacks and brings 88 speed, 93 acceleration and a 93 throw-on-the-run rating, which makes him a dangerous option in the game.
Garrett Oakley is next at 87 overall, putting him among the top 10 tight ends. Ja’Son Prevard also comes in at 87 after transferring from Virginia, where he graded well as a nickel. He’s still fighting for a starting spot.
Joe Jackson is rated 85 overall after his late-season surge, while Wendell Gregory is also at 85 after winning Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year. Jaron Tibbs is an 84, and John Pastore is another 84.
Pastore’s spot helps highlight one of the team’s bigger questions at launch: the offensive line. Colorado State transfer Tanner Morley is the second-highest-rated lineman at 79 overall, followed by Gus Hawkins at 76, Tyler Johnson at 75, George Fitzpatrick at 75 and Dylan Villarouel at 74.
Kaleb Patterson leads the cornerbacks at 83 overall, though the Wildcats could still start Zaschon Rich at 79 and/or Donovan McIntosh at 76. Jay Harris and Rodney Fields are both 81 overall at running back, and Fields could see his rating change as the year goes on. Adrian Maddox is 80 overall at safety, with Wesley Fair entering at 73.
EA Sports College Football 27, the 24th game in the series and the third since its 2024 return after an 11-year break, launches July 9 for $69.99. Early preorder access begins July 2.
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