Kansas State vs. Iowa State: Preview, Prediction, and Game Odds
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the matchup between the Kansas State Wildcats and the Iowa State Cyclones.
GAME INFO
Friday, Saturday 25; 7:00 p.m. CT; Bill Snyder Family Stadium; Manhattan, Kansas
TV: FOX
Radio: K-State Sports Network (Wyatt Thompson, Stan Webber); Cyclone Radio Network (John Walters, Eric Heft, Ryan Harklau)
Records: Kansas State (8-3, 6-2); Iowa State (6-5, 5-3)
Last Week:Â Kansas State 31, Kansas 27; Texas 26, Iowa State 16
Rankings: Kansas State No. 19 (AP); Iowa State not ranked
Series History: Iowa State leads 52-50-4
Last Meeting: Kansas State 10, Iowa State 9 (2022)
Line: Kansas State (-10)
Fun Fact: Saturday’s matchup between Kansas State and Iowa State could feature some interesting weather as the forecast predicts a 50% chance of snow being on the ground at kickoff.
KEY PLAYERS
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
RB DJ GIDDENS
When the weather forecasts a 50% chance of snow on college gameday, both runningbacks in the game should become instant players to watch. Sophomore running back DJ Giddens has been one of the toughest players in the Big 12 Conference to corral this season as Giddens has quietly filled in for the loss of Deuce Vaughn alongside Treshaun Ward. Giddens is averaging 5.9 yards per carry this season in Manhattan carrying the football 164 times for 961 yards and eight scores in 2023.
DB KEENAN GARBER
Kansas State cornerback Keenan Garber has been playing lights-out football in the past two weeks finding the endzone in two-straight games. Against Baylor in Week 11, Garber baited an errant throw from Blake Shapen and jumped the route taking the interception back for a 45-yard score. Against Kansas in Week 12, Garber returned a blocked PAT 91 yards for a two-point conversion to help the Wildcats find some crucial points in their rivalry game. Look for Garber to show up again against Iowa State.
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
RB ABU SAMA
For similar reasons to that of DJ Giddens, Iowa State running back Abu Sama is a player to watch in Saturday’s matchup. Farmeggedon looks to be one of the coldest games in recent years for the rivalry which should push both teams to try and establish the ground game behind solid offensive lines. While Sama is involved in a bit of a three-man rotation with Eli Sanders and Cartevious Norton, the freshman back should have an opportunity to make some plays out in space against Kansas State.
DB JEREMIAH COOPER
This pick is plain and simple, Cooper has five interceptions on the season which leads the Big 12 Conference alongside Oklahoma’s Billy Bowman. Cooper’s five interceptions are tied for second in the nation trailing only Notre Dame’s Xavier Watts with seven. The Texas native has also recorded 38 stops, one forced fumble, and six pass breakups this season.
KEY STORYLINES
KANSAS STATE WILDCATS
The fight to Arlington still exists, can you find a way to get there? Now I know that the Wildcats would need help from the likes of BYU and TCU, but the potential for a rematch with Texas (or whoever) in the Big 12 Championship is still available. Chris Klieman urged his team on Tuesday afternoon just to focus on the controllability of beating Iowa State before worrying about the title game. Will they be able to handle a sneaky-good Iowa State team?
IOWA STATE CYCLONES
Iowa State is in an interesting spot. Last week’s loss to Texas felt like a season-ender but also really did not change up much. The Cyclones have a chance to sneak into Arlington somehow unannounced to myself and the rest of the Big 12 fans out there, but it is possible. If Matt Campbell can find a way to take down the defending Big 12 Champions on the road in Week 12, the Big 12 playoff picture will look about as wacky as can be.
PREDICTION: KANSAS STATE 38, IOWA STATE 27
Ten points is a lot to cover in a game between Iowa State and Kansas State, but with the way the Wildcats have played at home this season, I like Kansas State to find a way. Chris Klieman’s squad is averaging a blistering 45 PPG at home but just 29.4 on the road. If this game were in Ames it might be different but seeing as it will kick off at Bill Snyder Family Stadium, I like Kansas State to cover here.
