Specifically, the Kansas State Wildcats and Iowa State Cyclones have one of the great College Football Betting rivalries. Known as “Farmageddon,” fans of the two schools circle the calendar for this game. However, this year the matchup will not take place on the Mid-American farmlands. Instead, it will take place in Dublin, Ireland, in a Week Zero matchup to kick off the college football season. Both teams are rated as top Big 12 Conference contenders. Iowa State is coming off a historically successful season. But K-State is loaded and experienced for 2025.
Kansas State Wildcats vs. Iowa State Cyclones NCAAF Betting Information
| Date and Time: | Saturday, August 23, 2025, 12:05 p.m. ET |
|---|---|
| Location: | Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland |
| TV Coverage: | ESPN |
| Team | Spread | Total | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa State | +3 -104 | 50½ -115 | +140 |  |
| Kansas State | -3 -116 | 50½ -105 | -160 | |
| ||||
Iowa State Cyclones Team Overview
Last year was the best in school history for the Cyclones. Yet offshore betting Gamblers can’t help but think that getting blown out in the Big 12 title game left a bad taste in their mouths. Rocco Becht is back at quarterback and is one of the most accomplished in the league.
But he will need to find chemistry quickly with a slew of new targets at receiver after his favorite go-tos departed for the NFL. The defense should be much improved, too, given how bad the injury luck was in 2024. However, a tough schedule could make getting back to 11 wins a much steeper climb than it was a year ago.
Kansas State Wildcats Team Overview
Certainly, Kansas State is way overdue to be in the College Football Playoff. Chris Klieman has been terrific since taking over in 2019. The Wildcats pulled off winning seasons, including three bowls in the last four years.
Correlate that for 2025, Kansas State should be good enough to earn its way into the CFP. The program has been flirting with greatness for too long. Now it’s time for the payoff to come. Kansas State started last season, 7-1, with relatively easy games against Houston and Cincinnati. And then two tough battles against Arizona State and Iowa State, and it would’ve been in had it closed 3-1. But it went 1-3.
The 2022 team would’ve been in an expanded CFP, thanks to beating TCU for the Big 12 title, but that’s back in the old days of the four-team version. Instead, the Wildcats went to the Sugar Bowl and were soundly defeated by Alabama. It’ll be hard for every Big 12 team to make it through the schedule without some bumps. However, it’s not impossible, though, for a team that should be as good as 2025 Kansas State.
Overall, Klieman has built up the team over the last six years. It’s consistently good, and now in the portal era. He and his staff have been able to fill in the gaps with the right guys who should instantly fit.
In the dead even Big 12 from top to almost bottom, the loser of this is in huge trouble before things get going. Kansas State is now coming off back-to-back 9-4 seasons, and it’s fair to expect much of the same in 2025. The program is built on toughness, both in its run game and defense. The latter features the best linebacker unit in the Big 12. Namely, quarterback Avery Johnson and running back Dylan Edwards will lead the rushing attack, and Johnson’s development as a passer will determine the Wildcats’ true ceiling.
Kansas State vs. Iowa State SBG Free Picks
In this situation, Kansas State has the more experienced and deeper team. Those factors make for a College Football Betting advantage in an opening game.
Kansas State vs. Iowa State SBG Best Bet: Kansas State Wildcats.