The 1982 Kansas State Wildcats football team represented Kansas State University in the college football season of 1982. The team's head football coach was Jim Dickey. After the Big 8 season Jim Dickey was named coach of the year by the conference. The Wildcats played their home games in KSU Stadium. Following the season, Kansas State was invited to its first ever bowl game, the 1982 Independence Bowl against the Wisconsin Badgers. The Badgers beat the Wildcats, 14-3. The 1982 Independence Bowl was the first college football game televised live by ESPN.