There’s something about a rivalry that makes even a forgettable season feel alive. When Colorado and Kansas State met on November 29, 2025, the stakes were different for each side — one fighting for bowl eligibility, the other playing out the string. But the game itself delivered a clear statement: Kansas State’s ground game, led by Joe Jackson’s 142 yards and three touchdowns, overwhelmed Colorado 24-14 at Bill Snyder Family Stadium.

4 related posts

Series record: Colorado leads 45-22-1 ·
Current win streak: Kansas State (2) ·
Last game score: Kansas State 24-14 Colorado (Nov 29, 2025) ·
Deion Sanders revenue: $90 million for University of Colorado Boulder ·
K-State bowl decision: Declined bowl invitation amid coach transition ·
2025 Ireland game: K-State vs Iowa State to open season

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact ranking of Colorado in 2026 preseason polls
  • K-State’s stability after head coach transition
  • Long-term impact of the Ireland game on both programs’ recruiting
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The implication: Recent momentum has shifted despite a lopsided history.

Fact Value
All-time series leader Colorado, 45–22–1
Largest victory Colorado, 64–3 (1990)
Current win streak Kansas State, 2 (2024–present)
Last game score Kansas State 24, Colorado 14 (Nov 29, 2025)
Deion Sanders revenue generation $90 million
2025 season opener location Ireland (K-State vs Iowa State)

Who is K State’s biggest rival?

The Kansas State Wildcats have a handful of traditional rivals, but the Colorado Buffaloes stand out for longevity and history. The series began in 1911 and has been played 68 times, with Colorado holding a commanding 45-22-1 lead (The Denver Gazette).

Rivalry history between Kansas State and Colorado

  • Largest margin: Colorado 64-3 in 1990 (The Denver Gazette)
  • Current streak: Kansas State has won two straight (2024, 2025) (ESPN)

Other rivals of Kansas State: Nebraska, Iowa State, Kansas

  • Nebraska: historic Big 8 rivalry, though not played annually since 2010
  • Iowa State: annual Farmageddon rivalry game
  • Kansas: in-state Sunflower Showdown
Why this matters

The Colorado rivalry may not be the most heated, but it’s the one with the deepest statistical imbalance. For Kansas State, closing the gap means winning consistently — and they’ve just started that trend.

The pattern: While Kansas State has other rivals, the Colorado series is the measuring stick of program history. Recent wins signal a shift in power.

How is Colorado ranked in football?

As of the end of the 2025 season, Colorado did not appear in the final AP Poll or CFP rankings. The Buffaloes finished 3-9 overall and 1-8 in Big 12 play (ESPN).

Colorado’s current AP Poll and CFP ranking

  • No official ranking at season’s end; unranked in all major polls
  • Projected to be unranked in 2026 preseason polls

Ranking history under Deion Sanders

  • 2023: Briefly ranked after 3-0 start, finished 4-8
  • 2024: Improved to 9-3, ranked No. 23 in final AP Poll
  • 2025: Fell to 3-9, unranked
The catch

Colorado’s ranking trajectory under Coach Prime has been a roller coaster. The 2025 collapse erased the gains of 2024, leaving the program searching for consistency.

The pattern: Colorado’s ranking is volatile, tied directly to on-field performance. Without a bounce-back, the Buffaloes will remain outside the national conversation.

Why did KState decline?

Kansas State declined a bowl invitation after the 2025 season, even though they became bowl-eligible by defeating Colorado to reach 6-6. The decision came amid a head coach transition and a desire to reset the program (The Denver Gazette).

Decline in performance

  • K-State started 3-4, then finished 3-2 to reach 6-6
  • Inconsistent offense and defensive struggles marked the season

Decline of bowl invitation

  • K-State officially declined a bowl bid, a rare move for a program with a strong bowl history
  • The decision likely triggers a financial penalty from the Big 12

Coach transition

  • Head coach Chris Klieman left after the season for another opportunity
  • K-State is in the process of hiring a replacement
What to watch

K-State’s bowl decline is a high-risk move. It saves short-term costs but risks losing momentum with recruits and fans, especially with a new coach coming in.

The trade-off: Avoiding a bowl game gives K-State an early start on the offseason and coaching search, but it also forfeits a meaningful evaluation period for younger players.

Is Kansas State a good football team?

Kansas State proved they can compete at a high level, especially in the ground game. Their 24-14 win over Colorado showcased a dominant rushing attack led by Joe Jackson’s 142 yards and three touchdowns (ESPN).

Recent performance

  • Finished 6-6 in 2025, bowl-eligible for the fifth straight season (ESPN)
  • Strengths: rushing offense, defensive line; weaknesses: passing game, secondary

Bowl eligibility streak

  • Five consecutive seasons with at least six wins (2021–2025)
  • Despite the streak, the program declined a bowl in 2025

Comparison to Colorado

  • K-State beat Colorado soundly, dominating time of possession and rushing yards
  • Colorado’s 3-9 record contrasts sharply with K-State’s 6-6 mark

The pattern: K-State is a solid, physical team that can beat weaker opponents but struggles against top-tier Big 12 programs. The bowl decision clouds their immediate trajectory.

Why did Kansas State play in Ireland?

Kansas State opened the 2025 season against Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, as part of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic. The game was played at Aviva Stadium on August 23, 2025 (Marca (sports news)).

Details of the 2025 Ireland game

  • Only the fourth college football game ever played in Dublin (Marca)
  • Part of the Big 12’s international marketing initiative

Opponent: Iowa State

  • Iowa State is a fellow Big 12 member and a traditional rival
  • The game served as a neutral-site season opener

Reason for international game

  • Big 12 aims to expand its global brand and attract Irish and European audiences
  • Both programs gained exposure and recruiting opportunities
The upside

For K-State, the Ireland trip was a unique team-bonding experience and a recruiting showcase. But it also meant a long road trip and early start to the season, which may have contributed to their inconsistent play.

The implication: International games offer visibility but also logistical challenges. K-State’s return from Ireland may have set a tone for the season — exciting but disruptive.

Is Colorado football going to be good?

Colorado’s future under Deion Sanders is uncertain. After a promising 9-3 season in 2024, the Buffaloes collapsed to 3-9 in 2025, finishing on a five-game losing streak (Yahoo Sports).

Impact of Deion Sanders

  • Sanders generated $90 million in revenue for the university (Yahoo Sports)
  • He has said he intends to return for a fourth year (Bleacher Report)

Financial boost

  • Increased ticket sales, merchandise, and media exposure
  • Brand value of Colorado football has risen nationally

Team improvements

  • Roster turnover remains high; Sanders relies heavily on transfers
  • Offensive line and defensive depth are major concerns
The paradox

Deion Sanders has made Colorado a financial powerhouse, but on-field results didn’t follow in 2025. The question is whether the money can buy wins, or if the program needs a different approach.

The trade-off: Colorado’s financial health is strong, but the product on the field has regressed. For Sanders, the 2026 season is a make-or-break year to prove the model works.

Colorado vs Kansas State: A side-by-side comparison

The contrast between these two programs is sharp in nearly every category.

Aspect Colorado Kansas State
2025 record 3-9 (1-8 Big 12) 6-6 (4-5 Big 12)
Bowl eligibility No Yes (declined)
Head coach Deion Sanders (returning) Transition (new coach incoming)
Revenue impact +$90M from Sanders presence Stable, but less national spotlight
Rivalry momentum Lost two straight Won two straight
2026 outlook Uncertain, needs turnaround Reset with new coach

The implication: Colorado has the financial advantage but the on-field disadvantage. Kansas State has stability in program culture but faces an uncertain coaching future.

Timeline: Key moments in the Colorado-Kansas State rivalry (2025)

The rivalry’s defining moments stretch back decades, but the recent timeline reveals a clear momentum shift.

  • 1990: Colorado wins 64-3, largest margin in rivalry (The Denver Gazette)
  • 2010–2023: Colorado dominates series, but recent shift
  • November 29, 2025: Kansas State defeats Colorado 24-14, earns bowl eligibility (ESPN)
  • Late 2025: K-State declines bowl invitation amid coach transition, faces fine (The Denver Gazette)
  • 2025 (announced): K-State and Iowa State to play in Ireland to open 2025 season (Bleacher Report)

The pattern: The rivalry’s momentum has shifted decisively to Kansas State, even as the program itself faces internal uncertainty.

What we know and what remains unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Colorado leads series 45-22-1 (The Denver Gazette)
  • Kansas State won last game 24-14 (ESPN)
  • Deion Sanders generated $90M for CU (Yahoo Sports)
  • K-State declined bowl invitation (The Denver Gazette)

What’s unclear

  • Exact ranking of Colorado in 2026
  • K-State’s future after coach transition
  • Impact of Ireland game on recruiting and program momentum

Quotes that defined the moment

“It’s not a consolation prize.”

— Deion Sanders, Colorado head coach, after the 24-14 loss to Kansas State (ESPN)

For Colorado, the path forward under Deion Sanders requires a dramatic turnaround, or the program risks falling further behind in the Big 12. For Kansas State, the bowl decision and coach transition create a fork in the road: either the new coach builds on the physical identity, or the Wildcats slip into mediocrity. The rivalry, meanwhile, will continue to reflect the fortunes of both programs.

Related reading: **College Basketball Scores Today: Florida-Houston Ending & Records** · **Detroit Lions vs Minnesota Vikings Match Player Stats | Dec 25**

Additional sources

profootballnetwork.com, youtube.com, espn.com, sports.yahoo.com, adastraradio.com

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Frequently asked questions

How much money has Deion Sanders made for Colorado?

Deion Sanders has generated an estimated $90 million in revenue for the University of Colorado Boulder through increased ticket sales, merchandise, and media exposure (Yahoo Sports).

Who won the Colorado game?

Kansas State defeated Colorado 24-14 on November 29, 2025, at Bill Snyder Family Stadium (ESPN).

What is the significance of the Colorado-Kansas State rivalry?

It is one of the oldest series in the Big 12, with Colorado leading 45-22-1. The rivalry has been played since 1911 and includes the largest margin win (Colorado 64-3 in 1990) (The Denver Gazette).

When is the next Colorado vs Kansas State game?

As of now, the next game has not been scheduled. The two teams are no longer in the same conference division, so future matchups are uncertain.

What are the consequences of K-State declining a bowl?

K-State likely faces a financial penalty from the Big 12 and may lose practice time and recruiting exposure. The move was driven by a coaching transition (The Denver Gazette).

Are Colorado and Kansas State still conference rivals?

Yes, both are members of the Big 12 Conference, but they are not guaranteed to play every year due to the conference’s rotating schedule.

How has Colorado football changed under Deion Sanders?

Colorado has seen a massive financial boost and national attention, but on-field results have been inconsistent: 4-8 in 2023, 9-3 in 2024, and 3-9 in 2025 (ESPN).