Iowa State vs Kansas State Prediction 8/23/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The Iowa State Cyclones and Kansas State Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action at Aviva Stadium. Here’s a Iowa State vs Kansas State Prediction. This article will include a Iowa State vs Kansas State Pick.

Iowa State Cyclones Betting Preview

Iowa State is coming off 11 wins, which is the most in school history. Matt Campbell enters his 10th season as head coach, and the Cyclones look to win double-digit games in back-to-back seasons for the first time. 

Iowa State has one of the best quarterbacks in the country in Rocco Becht, who has thrown for 3,600 yards and 48 touchdowns in the last two seasons. Abu Sama and Carson Hansen create a nice 1-2 punch at running back, and East Carolina transfer Chase Sowell is a boost at wide receiver. The Cyclones lack depth at receiver overall, but this should still be one of the best offenses in the Big 12. 

Defensively, Iowa State will get back linebacker Caleb Bacon, who missed last year with a leg injury. Iowa State had the best pass defense in the country last year, and Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams are back to patrol the secondary. Iowa State has questions in the trenches on both sides of the ball, but this is a bowl team on paper and will be in the thick of the conference title race. 

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview

Kansas State has won eight or more games in each of the last four years and enters year seven under coach Chris Klieman. Kansas State has made a bowl game in 13 of the last 15 years.

Quarterback Avery Johnson is a playmaker who shined last year with 2,700 passing yards, 25 touchdowns, and he rushed for 600 yards and 7 scores. Running back Dylan Edwards has improved in his first two seasons and should be due for a true breakout season. Purdue transfer Jaron Tibbs and Boston College transfer Jerand Bradley will slide into key receiving roles. 

Defensively, Kansas State has concerns in the secondary, but linebacker Austin Romaine, and linemen Chiddi Obiazor and Tobi Osunsanmi create possibly the best front seven in the Big 12. Johnson has to be more consistent at quarterback, and there are some offensive line concerns. Overall, however, Kansas State is a conference title contender and a team that could make a push for a playoff berth.  

Why the Kansas State Wildcats will win

• The team ranked 17th in the AP Poll has won each of its last four games.
• Kansas State has covered the spread in four of its last five games as a favorite at neutral venues.
• Iowa State has failed to cover the spread in three of its last four games played at neutral venues.

Why the Iowa State Cyclones will win

• Iowa State has won each of its last three games as an underdog against AP-ranked teams.
• Kansas State has lost three of its last four games against conference opponents.
• Iowa State has covered the spread in each of its last five games against Kansas State.
• Kansas State has failed to cover the spread in four of its last five games as a favorite.

Matchup/League Facts

• Kansas State ranked T12th among FBS teams for average point differential in third quarters last season (+4.4).
• Kansas State ranked 17th among FBS teams for Q3 points per game last season (8.5).
• Iowa State ranked 2nd among FBS teams for 4th down conversion percentage last season (80.0).
• Iowa State ranked 3rd among FBS teams for average point differential in fourth quarters last season (+5.8).

Iowa State vs Kansas State Prediction

Kansas State is probably the better team because of its defense. Iowa State has concerns on the offensive and defensive lines, and facing these Wildcats in its first game isn’t ideal. You can understand why KSU is favored. However, the underdog has covered seven of the last 10 games between Kansas State and Iowa State. The Cyclones have also outright won five of their last six games as an underdog. Iowa State has been scrappy in these roles over the years, and there’s value to getting points with a team led by a proven, productive quarterback. Don’t sleep on Rocco Becht. 

I’ll take the points in this intriguing neutral site game.