Iowa State Cyclones vs Kansas State Wildcats Prediction, Picks and Game Preview - 08/23/2025

Game Time: 12:00 pm ET, Saturday, August 23, 2025

Venue:  Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

Where to Watch:  ESPN

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  ISU +3, KSU -3; Over/Under:  49.5 points

Bet365:  Point Spread:  ISU +3, KSU -3; Over/Under:  49.5 points

BetMGM:  Point Spread:  ISU +3, KSU -3; Over/Under:  49.5 points

Iowa State Cyclones:  0-0 (0-0) (Big 12)

Kansas State Wildcats:  0-0 (0-0) (Big 12)

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Iowa State Cyclones:  N/A

Kansas State Wildcats:  N/A

Iowa State finished last season with an 11-3 record overall and they had a 7-2 record in their conference games too.  They were 6-1 in their home games, 4-1 in their road games, and they were also 1-1 in their neutral site games last season, and they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 31.1 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 22.9 points per game. Their offense also averaged 416.2 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 353.9 yards per game. Rocco Becht led the team in passing yards with 3,505, Carson Hansen led the team in rushing yards with 752, and Jaylin Noel led the team in receiving yards with 1,194.

 

 

 

Kansas State finished last season with a 9-4 record overall and they had a 5-4 record in their conference games too.  They were 5-1 in their home games, 3-3 in their road games, and they were also 1-0 in their neutral site games last season, and they will be at a neutral site for this season opener. Last season, their offense was averaging 30.8 points scored per game while their defense was allowing an average of 23.4 points per game. Their offense also averaged 426.8 yards per game while their defense was allowing an average of 343.4 yards per game. Avery Johnson led the team in passing yards with 2,712, DJ Giddens led the team in rushing yards with 1,343, and Jayce Brown led the team in receiving yards with 823.

The current betting odds have Iowa State listed as a 3 point underdog in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. Iowa State had a great season last year, finishing with one of the best records in the Big 12 and making it to the Big 12 Championship too. They ended up losing to Arizona State in the Conference Championship and the game was never really close, but they can build on that great season from last year and will be looking to start this new season with a big win against a division rival. They aren't returning a ton of players from last season, but they do have their quarterback from last season along with their running back too so that will bring some consistency to this offense. Meanwhile, Kansas State didn't have a great season last year so they will be looking to improve by keeping themselves in the conference race this year. They are also returning their QB along with some other key players, but they could also be missing a few key players in this game too. They have improved the team a lot from last season so they will be in contention for the Big 12 Championship with some of the talent that they have, but Iowa State is still going to be a big threat in this conference and they will bring their best effort for this game. This could end up being a really close game between two rivals and since the game is in a different country with no real home advantage for either team, it is best to take the points here. The best way to place a bet here is on Iowa State to cover the spread in this game. 

Iowa State Kansas State Prediction:  Our NCAAF Pick for Saturday, August 23, 2025 (12:00 pm ET start time) is Iowa State 23 Kansas State 20.

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Iowa State Cyclones: 26-34 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 2-7 ATS in August games. 31-20 UNDER when the line is +3 to -3. 8-2 UNDER as a neutral field underdog of 7 points or less.

Kansas State Wildcats: 37-22 ATS when the line is +3 to -3. 9-5 ATS as a neutral field favorite of 7 points or less. 9-5 UNDER as a neutral field favorite of 7 points or less. 7-4 UNDER on a neutral field where the total is between 49.5 and 56.

Iowa State Cyclones:  None.

Kansas State Wildcats:  None.

“As uniquely challenging as this opportunity is, the word ‘opportunity’ is right and I think… both programs, both teams, college football. The opportunity to take your program over to Ireland, what a great experience for the fan bases, the universities, the schools. And to play in this kind of setting, I still think it’s really special, and I’m really grateful to be a part of that.” - Matt Campbell on playing in Ireland to start the season. 

“(They) are all in question. I would say Colby would be the one that would be least likely play. Asa and Gunner, we’re still hopeful, but they haven’t taken as many practice reps. They’ve taken some, don’t get me wrong, but not as many as some of the guys that have taken the lion’s share of game reps.” - Chris Klieman on his team’s injuries coming into this first game of the season. 

WR Sowell, Chase

WR Eskildsen, Brett

WR Townsend, Xavier

TE Brahmer, Benjamin

QB Becht, Rocco

RB Hansen, Carson

FB Moore, Tyler

WR Tibbs, Jaron

WR Bradley, Jerand

WR Brown, Jayce

TE Oakley, Garrett

QB Johnson, Avery

RB Edwards, Dylan

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Passing: N/A

Rushing: N/A

Receiving: N/A

Touchdowns: N/A

Coaches:

Iowa State Cyclones: Matt Campbell (10th season)

Kansas State Wildcats: Chris Klieman (7th season)