Kansas State’s FPI ranking remained inside the top 25 despite a narrow loss to Iowa State in Dublin.
The Wildcats slipped modestly from No. 18 to No. 21 in the Football Power Index following their 24‑21 defeat, while Iowa State remains outside the top 25, checking in at No. 31.
That leaves Iowa State still outside the elite bracket, even after a signature road win.
The Football Power Index is a predictive model designed to project how a team will perform over the course of a season, weighing efficiency, strength of schedule, and statistical performance. Kansas State’s standing at No. 21 signals that ESPN’s analytics still project the Wildcats as one of the most competitive teams in the country even after a disappointing start overseas.
The model’s reaction likely reflects the nature of Saturday’s game. Kansas State moved the ball well and saw sophomore quarterback Avery Johnson deliver a strong individual performance, completing 21 of 30 passes for 273 yards and two touchdowns while adding a rushing score. Despite that, critical mistakes and missed opportunities allowed Iowa State to leave Ireland with the win. Advanced metrics often consider efficiency and long-term outlook more heavily than a single result, which may explain why Kansas State held steady inside the top 25.
For Iowa State, the No. 31 ranking suggests the program still has work to do to earn national credibility, at least in the eyes of ESPN. The win over Kansas State was a strong opening statement, but the Cyclones will need sustained success before moving into the top tier of predictive rankings. Matt Campbell’s squad has the chance to prove itself over the next month as the nonconference slate continues and Big 12 play arrives.
Both teams will now turn their focus back to stateside competition, where the rest of the league schedule will determine whether the Wildcats can remain in the conference title conversation and whether the Cyclones can build on early momentum. For now, ESPN’s numbers remain tilted toward Kansas State, keeping the Wildcats in the national picture even after a rocky first weekend.
