Iowa St. Cyclones vs
Kansas St. WildcatsPredictions & Preview

Iowa State Cyclones Aim to Upset Kansas State Wildcats in Dublin Season Opener

The college football season kicks off in Dublin, Ireland with the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones facing off against the No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats in a Big 12 matchup. Last season, the Cyclones went 11-3 while the Wildcats had a 9-4 record. Iowa State managed a 29-21 victory over Kansas State in their last meeting. Will Iowa State be able to keep the score within three points in the season opener? Read on for our prediction. If you're looking for NCAAF betting picks, we've got you covered.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cyclones +140 | Wildcats -160
• Spread: Cyclones +3 (-110) | Wildcats -3 (-110)
• Total: Over/Under 51 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Kansas St. will win straight-up is 62%.

Iowa St. Cyclones

The Iowa State Cyclones are coming off a successful 2024 season and have high expectations heading into the new season. They finished with a 7-2 record in Big 12 play and return many key players from last year's team. Junior QB Rocco Becht leads a potent passing game, while junior RB Carson Hansen looks to build on his 752 rushing yards from last season. The receiving core has some question marks due to losses to the NFL draft, but are hopeful for big seasons from Carson Brown and transfer Xavier Townsend. The defense is solid, with linebacker Caleb Bacon returning from injury and a strong secondary featuring Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams. The Cyclones averaged 31.1 points per game on offense and allowed 22.9 points per game on defense last season. Iowa State is currently ranked #22 in the AP Top 25.

Kansas St. Wildcats

The Kansas State Wildcats are poised to be a strong contender in the Big 12 this season, currently ranked at #17 in the AP Top 25. With just four losses last season and a narrow bowl game win against Rutgers, the team is expected to compete for a conference championship. Junior quarterback Avery Johnson returns as the starter, leading an offense that focuses on the running game. The rushing offense, despite losing DJ Giddens to the NFL, is still formidable with players like Dylan Edwards and Joe Jackson. The receiving group, anchored by Jayce Brown and transfer Jaron Gibbs, provides solid options for Johnson. Defensively, the Wildcats have a strong pass rush but some concerns in the secondary. Austin Romaine leads the team with 96 tackles, but there are new players in key positions in the secondary. Overall, the Wildcats averaged 425 total yards per game on offense and 360 yards per game on defense, with an average of 30.8 points scored and 23.4 points conceded per game in 2024.

Iowa State Cyclones Look to Dethrone Kansas State Wildcats in Big 12 Showdown

The Iowa State Cyclones demonstrated their competitive prowess by making it to the Big 12 championship game last season with only three losses. While the Kansas State Wildcats are viewed as the front-runners in the BIG 12 this year, it is important to approach this assertion with some caution given their 5-4 record in Big 12 play last year. The Cyclones have the potential to rival or surpass the Wildcats in performance. Notably, the two teams faced off towards the end of the 2024 season, resulting in a victory for the Cyclones by an eight-point margin. With key players returning for both teams, including starting QBs Becht for Iowa State and Johnson for Kansas State, strategic matchups will come into play. Johnson's 42% passing completion rate in their previous loss against the Cyclones contrasts with Becht's impressive ranking of 11th in the country for passing yards per game. As the Wildcats struggled with pass defense last season, yielding an average of 235 passing yards per game and ranking 77th nationally, the inexperienced secondary could pose a challenge against Becht's prowess. In conclusion, Becht's performance may prove to be a deciding factor in the upcoming game.

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