The 1996 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University as a member of the North Division of the newly-formed Big 12 Conference during the 1996 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by eighth-year head coach Bill Snyder, the Wildcats compiled an overall record of 9âÂÂ3 with a mark of 6âÂÂ2 in conference play, placing third in the Big 12's North Division. Kansas's State season ended with a loss against fifth-ranked BYU in the Cotton Bowl ClassicâÂÂthe program's first appearance in a traditional New Year's Day bowl game. The team played home games at KSU Stadium in Manhattan, Kansas.
1996 was the first year of competition for the Big 12 Conference, and Kansas State's season opener against Texas Tech on August 31 was the first athletic event in Big 12 history.