Kansas State Wildcats @ Iowa State Cyclones Player Props, Picks and Predictions - 8/23/2025 12:00 PM EDT

We have your Kansas State Wildcats @ Iowa State Cyclones prop betting and game preview needs covered as the Kansas State Wildcats hit the road to face the Iowa State Cyclones.

Kansas State Wildcats @ Iowa State Cyclones Pick

Best Moneyline Odds: Iowa State +140 (Bet365), Kansas State -175 (BallyBet)
Best Spread Odds: Iowa State +3.5 (-115) (FanDuel), Kansas State -3.5 (-105) (FanDuel)
Best Total Odds: Over 49.5 (-108) (DraftKings), Under 49.5 (-112) (DraftKings)

Game Info

Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland
TV: -

Kansas State Wildcats @ Iowa State Cyclones Preview

The No. 21 Iowa State Cyclones are set to kick off their 2025 season against Big 12 Conference rival Kansas State Wildcats in a Week 0 matchup held in Dublin, Ireland. This marks a significant event as it's the first season opener ever between these two rivals on an international stage. Iowa State is coming off a strong 2024 campaign where they shared the regular-season Big 12 championship, finishing with an impressive 11-3 overall record and a 7-2 conference record, boasting a plus-114 point differential. Junior quarterback Rocco Becht returns for the Cyclones after a productive 2024 season, where he completed 271 of 456 passes for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns against nine interceptions. While the Cyclones lost key receivers Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, they've bolstered their roster through the transfer portal with additions like Chase Sowell from East Carolina and Xavier Townsend from UCF, aiming to maintain their potent passing attack.

On the other side, the Kansas State Wildcats finished last season sharing eighth-place in the conference with a 9-4 overall record and a 5-4 conference record, achieving a plus-97 point differential. The Wildcats proved their mettle against ranked opponents, going 2-1 last year. Their offense will be led by junior quarterback Avery Johnson, who showcased his dual-threat capabilities in 2024 with 2,712 passing yards and an additional 605 rushing yards, contributing seven scores on the ground. Kansas State also made headlines by signing five-star tight end Linkon Cure, their first five-star recruit in school history, who is expected to make an immediate impact. This game promises to be an intriguing start to the college football season, pitting two competitive Big 12 programs against each other in a unique international setting.

Historic Head-to-Head Stats and Analysis

The all-time series between the Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats is closely contested, with Iowa State holding a slight edge at 54-50-4. Looking at recent history, Iowa State has had the upper hand, winning four of the last six matchups against Kansas State. Their most recent encounter on November 30, 2024, saw Iowa State secure a 29-21 victory. Prior to that, on November 25, 2023, Iowa State defeated Kansas State 42-35 on the road, covering the +9.5 spread and hitting the over on a 46-point total. The series has seen a mix of outcomes against the spread and total points. For instance, the October 8, 2022, game was a low-scoring affair with Kansas State winning 10-9, resulting in an under on the 45-point total. Conversely, the October 16, 2021, game saw Iowa State win 33-20, hitting the over on a 52-point total. The historical data suggests that while Iowa State has found recent success, these games are often competitive and can swing either way in terms of scoring and covering the spread.

Pick: Iowa State Cyclones +3.5

Despite Kansas State being the slight favorite, the Iowa State Cyclones present a compelling case to cover the spread at +3.5. An expert prediction model actually favors Iowa State to win the game outright with a predicted score of 28-24, which would easily cover the +3.5 spread. Iowa State is coming off a program-best 10-win season and shared the Big 12 championship, demonstrating their capability to compete at a high level. Their returning quarterback, Rocco Becht, had a strong 2024 campaign, and the team has actively addressed needs through the transfer portal to maintain offensive firepower. While Kansas State also has a talented dual-threat quarterback in Avery Johnson and a new five-star recruit, the Cyclones' recent success, combined with the prediction model's confidence in them, makes taking Iowa State +3.5 a strong play in this Week 0 international clash.