The 2025 college football season is finally here. Week 0 may not feel like the real deal to some fans as the true kickoff to the season, but “Farmageddon” in Ireland is definitely a strong appetizer to get the action started.

The famed Kansas State vs. Iowa State rivalry game is taking place in Dublin, Ireland this weekend as the headliner matchup of Week 0 college football and it could very well define the Big 12 Conference title race before the rest of the nation even begins their season(s).

Matt Campbell and his Iowa State Cyclones won this game last season, which of course sent them on to play Arizona State in the Big 12 Championship game. This year’s game might have similar implications. Although Iowa State isn’t a favorite to win the conference heading into the year (7th highest odds to win via sports books), this game could be what they need to inevitably knock Chris Kleiman and his Kansas State Wildcats out of conference contention once again.

The Wildcats are currently the favorites to win the Big 12 Conference and return several key star contributors from last year’s team. However, this team badly needs a win to begin the year after losing three of their final five games last fall. A victory could go a long way towards getting Kansas State back on track to the conference championship this year.

Heading into this phenomenal rivalry game between Kansas State and Iowa State, media members of A to Z Sports who cover the sport nationally decided to weigh in, sharing their predictions for this incredible game. The picks are in. Enjoy!

Kansas State 27, Iowa State 19

Kansas State was one of the few teams who finished far above average (although not elite) in most every meaningful efficiency stat in 2024. The Wildcats ranked 17th in yards per play among all FBS teams. They ranked top 40 in EPA per play, yards per rush, rush success rate, first down rate, and more. Avery Johnson wasn’t always a consistent passer–especially against tough competition like Arizona State and BYU–but he was much more efficient than many give him credit for overall. Johnson returns a couple of his favorite weapons in wide receiver Jayce Brown and running back Dylan Edwards, which should help his growth and continuity.

Meanwhile Iowa State’s quarterback Rocco Becht will be replacing two early NFL Draft picks (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel) in his receiver group. Iowa State’s experienced defense headed up by elite defensive tackle Domonique Orange likely keeps this close, but Kansas State’s dual threat quarterback and overall balanced offensive attack should give them an edge. – Travis May

Kansas State 27, Iowa State 20

The Dublin game to kick off the season is one of the cooler new traditions in all of college football. One of the interesting things I’ll be watching for is how the offense for Kansas State evolves in year two of full-time starting quarterback Avery Johnson. He flashed in a major way as a first year starter, but the true junior has now had two off-seasons to train as the starter. They return running back Dylan Edwards, who is one of the more underrated players at the position in the country, and Jayce Brown who is an explosive route runner. Early on in the season, I’ll take the more experienced offense, as Rocco Becht lost the bulk of the passing offense with the Houston Texans selecting both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. – Tyler Forness

Kansas State 30, Iowa State 24

Avery Johnson arrived at Kansas State with sky-high expectations—likely a bit unfair given what the Wildcats are as a football program. He was billed as the hometown hero who could elevate the in-state school to maybe something special. Johnson was solid in his first year as a starter last season, but he also left room for growth. This year, Kansas State will go as far as Johnson can take them, and opening the season against a ranked opponent will be a great early test. No. 17 Kansas State gets my pick in a close one over Iowa State, a team that is never an easy out under head coach Matt Campbell. Campbell, who was recently extended through the 2032 season, returns Rocco Becht at quarterback for his third year as the starter. This matchup should deliver a good one in London right out of the gate. – Brandon Little

Kansas State 27, Iowa State 24

You can’t talk about this football game without highlighting perhaps the best player in it with Kansas State quarterback Avery Johnson. The offense revolves around what he can do. Whether that’s running the ball with a ton of option plays, allowing him to pull at any moment and use that speed, or getting weapons in motion at the line of scrimmage before throwing the ball. Johnson can make magic happen in a variety of ways.

The Wildcats are coming into this season with high expectations on the offensive side of the ball. The biggest thing for Kansas State, is that only five of the 22 predicted starters are guys who weren’t on the team last year. The continuity they are coming into 2025 with is great. The hard part about predicting this matchup is that Iowa State’s continuity is even better, with only four projected starters being guys that weren’t on the team last year.

If we are basing everything off of what these teams were last year, they’re likely a pretty close comparison–except for Iowa State’s two huge losses at wide receiver (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel now both in the NFL). This is likely a close game once again, but given Iowa State is going to have to lean hard on Rocco Becht’s chemistry (or lack thereof) with his new receivers, advantage has to go to Kansas State. Their high powered offense, as long as Johnson can make the right decisions, is going to be too much for the Cyclones. – Justin Churchill

Kansas State 30, Iowa State 27

First and foremost, I think the real winner here is college football fans that get to watch a great football game in Week 0. I think Iowa State and Kansas State are two talented football teams that are both going to be contenders to win the Big 12 this season. It doesn’t get much better than that and it’s how both teams are starting their season.

Ultimately I lean Kansas State being the winner due to my belief that they have more overall star power in players like quarterback Avery Johnson, running back Dylan Edwards, and linebacker Austin Romaine. And with it being the first game of the season, I think that depth of star power is going to play a major factor. I have it being a close game throughout with multiple lead changes involved. Give me the Wildcats to take the lead on their final possession to start the year 1-0. – Destin Adams

We’ll be back with more College Football coverage here at A to Z Sports soon! Follow me (@FF_TravisM) and A to Z Sports (@AtoZSportsNFL) on X for all the latest football news!