Kansas State and Iowa State will take center stage in Dublin, Ireland, to open the 2025 season, renewing Farmageddon on an international stage.
The Wildcats and Cyclones are both viewed as legitimate Big 12 contenders, and an early conference matchup overseas gives this game massive relevance from the jump.
Chris Klieman has built Kansas State into one of the most consistent programs in the league, while Matt Campbell continues to keep Iowa State competitive with a roster that has competed atop the Big 12, including a trip to the league championship game last season.
With both teams carrying top-25 expectations, this Week 0 showdown could help shape the Big 12 race before September even arrives.
KEY PLAYERS
KANSAS STATE – RB DYLAN EDWARDS
The Wildcats’ offense runs through Avery Johnson, one of the most electrifying young quarterbacks in the country. Still, at points last season, Johnson put too much pressure on himself to make plays. With a true homerun hitter like Dylan Edwards in the backfield alongside him, the workload can shift to an even split. In the Rate Bowl win over Rutgers, Edwards won offensive MVP honors with a performance that included more than 220 all-purpose yards and three scores. If he hits the ground running in Dublin, the Wildcats could be a fearsome offense to scheme up for this fall.
IOWA STATE – QB ROCCO BECHT
The Cyclones counter with Rocco Becht, who, no pun intended, has been rock solid since taking over in Ames. In 2024, Becht established himself as one of the nation’s top signal callers, and he will need to continue that production if the Cyclones plan to return to Arlington. The biggest challenge for Becht, however, will be adjusting to life without his dynamic receiver duo of Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, who were both selected early in the 2025 NFL Draft. If the supporting cast of Chase Sowell, Xavier Townsend, and others can fill their departure, look out.
PREDICTION
While there are countless matchups to discuss ahead of kickoff, the intrigue lies in the trenches. Kansas State’s physical offensive line and running game will be tested by Iowa State’s front seven, which remains the foundation of Matt Campbell’s program. If the Wildcats control the ground game, they should be able to create space for Johnson to strike downfield.
Expect a physical battle that feels a little bit more like November than August in this one. Kansas State’s balance and early-season physicality provide just enough separation for the first Top 25 win of the year.
KANSAS STATE 30, IOWA STATE 24
