MANHATTAN — Kansas State was one of six Big 12 football teams ranked in the 2012 USA Today sports coaches poll released Thursday as the Wildcats checked in at No. 21 in the preseason survey.

The ranking marked the first time since 2004 that a K-State team has been ranked in the preseason coaches’ poll as the Cats checked in at No. 13 that season. K-State’s inclusion in this year’s preseason poll marks the ninth time since the formation of the Big 12 in 1996 that the Wildcats have been ranked in the survey’s top 25.

Other Big 12 programs joining the Cats in the preseason poll were Oklahoma (4th), West Virginia (11th), Texas (15th), TCU (17th) and Oklahoma State (19th).

The Wildcats return 17 starters — the most since 2006 — and 42 total lettermen from last year’s squad. Of the 17 starters back, eight are on offense and six are on defense, while K-State also sees its kicker, punter and long snapper all return for 2012.

K-State opens the 2012 season at 6 p.m., Sept. 1 against Missouri State. A very limited number of seats remain for the Missouri State, North Texas, KU, Oklahoma State and Texas games, while premium seats are still available for the highly-anticipated matchup with Miami on Sept. 8 and the Oct. 27 Homecoming game with Texas Tech.

To purchase tickets fans can visit the ticket office online at www.kstatesports.com or call the ticket office at (800) 221-CATS, or purchase in person at the Bramlage Coliseum Ticket Office between 8:30 a.m., and 5:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.