The 2025 college football season kicks off on Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday at 12 p.m. ET, with Iowa State vs. Kansas State. The two top-ranked Big 12 teams will showdown in the Farmageddon rivalry across the pond.
Below, we'll give you the top Iowa State vs. Kansas State predictions and picks for the college football season opener on Saturday including a game prediction and top CFB DFS picks on PrizePicks.
The Cyclones and Wildcats have years of history against each other ahead of their Week 0 season opener in Dublin. Key players like K-State QB Avery Johnson, Iowa State QB Rocco Becht, and RB Carson Hansen will decide who comes out on top.
It all starts with a Max Discount pick on Kansas State QB Avery Johnson — set at 0.5 pass yards on PrizePicks — and the best PrizePicks promo code for college football: PLAYBOOK
Iowa State vs. Kansas State Prediction, Picks
Find the top Iowa State vs. Kansas State predictions and CFB picks for the Week 0 matchup, including three player picks on PrizePicks.
- QB Avery Johnson — 51.5 Rushing Yards
- QB Rocco Becht — 228.5 Passing Yards
- RB Carson Hansen — 57.5 Rushing Yards
Find more CFB DFS Week 0 picks here, including the top player picks for PrizePicks.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State Preview, Predictions
Let's give you a primer on each team in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin, kicking off the 2025 college football season.
Kansas State Preview
Kansas State enters the season ranked No. 17 nationally after finishing 9–4 last year. The Wildcats started strong in 2024, winning seven of their first eight games before stumbling late and dropping three of their final four.
They closed the year with a bowl victory over Rutgers, securing back-to-back 9–4 campaigns.
The Wildcats — still led by dual-threat QB Avery Johnson — will also need to replace two key offensive weapons.
RB1 DJ Giddens (1,300+ yards in 2024) and WR Keagan Johnson (30 catches, 350+ yards) are gone, leaving plenty of room for players to step up, including RB Dylan Edwards, who had his moments last season, averaging 7.4 yards per carry.
Head coach Chris Klieman has thrived on neutral fields with a 5–1 record since 2020, but he’s still searching for his first win over Iowa State in nearly three years.
Iowa State Preview
Iowa State opens the season ranked 22nd in the preseason poll after an impressive 11–3 campaign in 2024. The Cyclones came out of the gates with seven straight wins before suffering back-to-back losses to Texas Tech and Kansas.
They finished with a statement bowl victory over No. 13 Miami, who benched No. 1 pick Cam Ward at halftime, solidifying themselves as a legitimate Big 12 contender.
Defensively, Iowa State has holes to fill on what was already only the seventh-best Big 12 defense in points per game.
They lose their top two tacklers in the secondary, Beau Freyler and Malik Verdon, as well as disruptive defensive lineman JR Singleton, the team’s sack leader.
Still, head coach Matt Campbell has had Kansas State’s number lately, winning four of the last five meetings since 2020.
Join PrizePicks today with code PLAYBOOK for $50 instantly in Lineups after your first $5+ Lineup.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State Predictions & Picks for Week 0
Below, find our three best Iowa State vs. Kansas State predictions for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic to kickoff the college football season, including CFB DFS picks on PrizePicks.
Kansas State QB Avery Johnson — 51.5 Rushing Yards
Kansas State is led by junior quarterback Avery Johnson, who threw for more than 2,700 yards with 25 touchdowns and 10 interceptions last season.
Johnson’s rushing ability is a true weapon — he logged over 600 yards and seven scores at 5.3 yards per carry in 2024. Against Iowa State last year, he ran 13 times for 64 yards.
Iowa State’s front will be tested with Sam Hecht (77th of 273 centers in run blocking) and Taylor Poitier (113th of 563 guards). Their performance could dictate whether Johnson breaks free as a dual threat.
PrizePicks is offering a Avery Johnson Max Discount pick for Week 0 for new and existing users; if Johnson passes for one yard, you'll cash the Max Discount.
Iowa State QB Rocco Becht — 228.5 Passing Yards
Redshirt junior Rocco Becht returns after throwing for more than 3,500 yards and 25 TDs last season. This year, however, he faces new challenges.
Iowa State lost both of its leading wideouts to the NFL Draft — Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. Both topped 80 receptions and 1,000 yards and were consistent receivers for Becht, who has high expectations in 2025.
Becht struggled in last year’s meeting with Kansas State, finishing with just 137 passing yards. Protection could also again be an issue behind left tackle James Neal III, who ranked 575th out of 643 FBS tackles last season.
Iowa State RB Carson Hansen — 57.5 Rushing Yards
With Iowa State thin at receiver, defenses are expected to stack the box, forcing more responsibility on RB Carson Hansen.
Last year, Hansen averaged 54 rushing yards per game, including 58 yards against Kansas State. He’s surpassed 15 carries only twice in his last 11 outings dating back to last season.
On the other side, Kansas State boasted done of the Big 12’s best run defenses in 2024. LB Austin Romine (10th of 808 vs. the run) and 300-pound defensive tackle Damian Ilalio (288th of 896 in run-stopping) will be a major challenge for Hansen and the Cyclones’ ground game.
Make CFB Picks on PrizePicks
College football is finally here, as Iowa State vs. Kansas State kicks off the season at 12 p.m. ET on Saturday.
This season, the best way to make college football predictions to win real money is on PrizePicks.
Just build make your CFB predictions on PrizePicks with your favorite players and win real money if your picks are correct. All you have to do is pick More or Less on at least two player projections to win in Week 0.
There’s always real money sports action waiting for you on PrizePicks. Stay locked in on the Playbook all season long for CFB DFS picks every weekend until the National Championship.
