Iowa State vs Kansas State Picks - August 23

The 2025 college football season is upon us. It begins with Week 0, which kicks off on Saturday – not on American soil but across the pond. Dublin, Ireland hosts this week’s marquee matchup between the Kansas State Wildcats and Iowa State Cyclones. This year’s Aer Lingus College Football Classic is a top-25 showdown between Big 12 rivals, so the stakes are high and the competition should be fierce. With the game set for 12:00 PM ET on Saturday, it’s time to break down the odds and discuss the Iowa State vs Kansas State best bets to make. 

Iowa State vs Kansas State Predictions 

Pick #1: Kansas State -3 over Iowa State (-110) Click Here to Bet

Pick #2: Under 49.5 (-112) Click Here to Bet

Pick #3: Dylan Edwards Over 83.5 rushing yards (-118) Click Here to Bet

PICK #1: Kansas State -3 over Iowa State (-110) 

There is generally a lot of turnover from year to year in college football, but -- to a much greater extent than most teams -- Kansas State will look quite similar to its 2024 on-field product. The Wildcats return more than 70 percent of their offensive production, which is among the top 15 programs nationally in that department. Quarterback Avery Johnson, wide receiver Jayce Brown, tight end Garrett Oakley and running back Dylan Edwards are all back in Manhattan. On the other side of the ball, Austin Romaine and V.J. Payne -- KSU's two leading tacklers -- have returned.

Iowa State is dealing with a little bit more change. Rocco Becht is still under center, but many of his skill-position weapons are different. Defensively, the Cyclones are replacing their two leading tacklers and their top three players in sacks. That does not bode well for a defense that already allowed 188 rushing yards per game to FBS opponents in 2024. Kansas State loves to run the football, so it should be able to exploit an Iowa State weakness. Johnson may have too much firepower around him for the Cyclones to keep this contest within a field goal. 

PICK #2: Under 49.5 (-112) 

Even if the two offenses find some success, most of the damage will likely be done on the ground. Each team projects to be more run-heavy than pass-happy, so scoring drives will likely be long and methodical. The clock is going to be on the move. The under also looks good given the relative uncertainty with Iowa State’s offense. Becht's primary pass-catching targets are new to him, so it may take a while for the air attack to get in sync. It may not even happen in this game; it may be somewhat of a long-term project.

Moreover, this is a rivalry game -- "Farmageddon" as many call it. It should be a hard-fought, physical contest without any secrets between the two programs. Smashmouth football that is big on the run and not so much on the pass is a recipe for the under to cash. 

PICK #3: Dylan Edwards Over 83.5 rushing yards (-118) 

After racking up 546 yards a season ago, Edwards figures to play a bigger role in the Wildcats’ offense this year. We already saw what he could do with an increased workload when he torched Rutgers in the Rate Bowl for 196 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. Edwards also caught two passes for 27 yards and another score. KSU can be expected to make a commitment to the ground game this weekend and Edwards is more than capable of exploiting a relatively new-look Iowa State defense.