North Dakota vs Kansas State Prediction 8/30/2025 Today’s College Football Picks

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks and the Kansas State Wildcats meet Saturday in college football action from Bill Snyder Family Stadium. Here’s a North Dakota vs Kansas State prediction. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best North Dakota vs Kansas State pick. We will examine:

The North Dakota Fighting Hawks recent form and player performance

The Kansas State Wildcats recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the North Dakota Fighting Hawks

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Kansas State Wildcats

Recent betting trends in games played between North Dakota vs Kansas State

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the North Dakota vs Kansas State game

North Dakota Fighting Hawks Betting Preview

The Hawks didn’t have the greatest season in 2024, but they weren’t too far from a potential bowl bid in the end. That said, North Dakota went a disappointing 5-7 overall with a rough 2-6 run in Missouri Valley Conference matchups. That result would leave the team in eighth place among the standings, ahead of only Southern Illinois, Northern Iowa and Murray State. The Fighting Hawks weren’t looking too bad at 5-2 in October, but they’d close the season on a five-game losing skid.

Moving ahead to 2025, North Dakota has moved on from head coach Bubba Schweigert, bringing in first-year man Eric Schmidt. The Hawks will retain their same offensive coordinator though, as Isaac Fruechte is still with the program. There’s a bit of turnover in North Dakota, but the team retains their starting quarterback and five offensive linemen. The duo of Gaven Ziebarth and Sawyer Seidl have returned to the fold at running back as well.

Kansas State Wildcats Betting Preview

Over on the Kansas State side, last season they had a pretty good run overall (despite not meeting some pretty lofty preseason expectations) and ended the season on a high note. The Wildcats finished 9-4 overall with a 5-4 stretch in the Big 12. Unfortunately Kansas State got lost in the standings, finishing way down in eighth place amid some very difficult competition. After losing three of their final four games, the Wildcats made the Rate Bowl where they took out Rutgers 44-41 in a thriller on December 26.

The Wildcats have played one game so far this year, taking the field for the first time in 2025 last weekend at home versus Iowa State. In that one Kansas State faced a 14-7 deficit heading into the final quarter. The Wildcats posted another couple of touchdowns from there but couldn’t keep pace in a 24-21 loss that’ll take a while to get over. Avery Johnson threw for 273 yards and a pair of scores on 21-of-30 passing, and Joe Jackson led the rush with 12 totes for 51 yards. Leading receiver Jayce Brown hauled in four catches for 78 yards and a touchdown.

Kansas State Wildcats Player Prop Facts

• Jayce Brown led Kansas State for receptions (47) last season.

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).

North Dakota vs Kansas State Prediction

I might take a stab on North Dakota here. The Hawks have a bit of hype and optimism surrounding the team this season, and I’m inclined to agree that they could take a step forward in 2025. Granted, there are some major holes to fill—not the least of which being All-American Bo Belquist—but the offense returns some significant experience.

As for Kansas State, their offense showed some sparks of potential during the loss to Iowa State, but the team also made some big mistakes. In addition to the two lost fumbles, the Wildcats posted only 13 first downs and went a tepid 5-of-13 on third-down conversions. The 1-of-4 on fourth downs didn’t help matters, either. Kansas State’s defense wasn’t bad though; they gave up just 313 yards, recovered two fumbles and held the Cyclones to just 3-of-14 on third downs. North Dakota should serve as an easier opponent, but I don’t think the Wildcats will keep a cover pace.