Kicking Off in Dublin, Previewing Game One

The time has finally come to kick off the 2025 college football season, and no better matchup to start the season than a Big XII rivalry, pitting two top-25 teams against each other. Twenty-second-ranked Iowa State takes on Seventh-ranked Kansas State in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic this Saturday, August 23. This is the fourth year in a row “America’s Game” will begin across the pond in Dublin, Ireland, but this is the first time two ranked teams will play each other in Dublin. Before Iowa State takes on Kansas State, here’s everything to know from their previous matchups and what to expect on game day.

No. 22 Iowa State vs. No. 17 Kansas State, Preview

The Past to the Present

Beginning in 1917, ISU and KSU have gone against each other 108 times, with Iowa State leading the all-time series 54-50-4. Still, in the 2000s, the Wildcats have won 17 of the 25 matchups in the millennium, including a ten-game win streak from 2008 to 2017. Now, since 2020, the Cyclones have won four out of five.

Keys to Game

Kansas State Has to Slow Iowa State Down Early

The Cyclones have not only won four out of the last five, but have won in dominating fashion. In 2020, they beat KSU 45-0, scoring 35 points in the first half. A year later, ISU once again started quickly, scoring on the first play of scrimmage, on a 75-yard run from Breece Hall, winning 33-20. Then in 2023, they scored again on the first play, this time by Abu Sama III, who would end up running for 276 yards in that game, helping the Cyclones win 42-35. Then last year, the Cats finally started with the ball, but their quarterback, Avery Johnson, fumbled on the first play, leading t o a Cyclone touchdown. Iowa State would end up winning 29-21.

Kansas State has to slow ISU down in the first half, limit the run, avoid early turnovers, and grab the momentum instantly. They did this in 2022, when they held ISU to only nine points and 78 rushing yards, scored on their first drive (81-yard touchdown pass), and outran them by 53 yards, the only time in five years.

Can Iowa State Identify a Number-One Receiver?

Iowa State in 2025 brings back its backfield in quarterback Rocco Becht and running backs Sama III and Carson Hansen , but now looks to find a new receiver tandem. The Cyclones lost both of their standout receivers to the NFL: Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins. With both on the Houston Texans now, the Cyclones have to identify their new number one and two receivers.

One option is their top portal acquisition in East Carolina transfer Chase Sowell, who joined the Cyclones in mid-December. This will be his junior season, along with this being his third program (Colorado 2022, East Carolina 2023-2024, and Iowa State 2025). In his career, he has gone for 1,328 yards and four touchdowns.

Other options are returning receivers like Eli Green or Carson Brown. Still, the guy who likely becomes Becht’s number one target is tight end Gabe Burkle, who is the highest returning pass catcher this season. He may not be a receiver, but he’ll likely be the number one guy.

A Slept on Key Player for Each Team

Dylan Edwards, RB, Kansas State

DJ Giddens was KSU’s star back last year, running for over 1300 yards. Giddens decided to sit out the bowl game, allowing backup Dylan Edwards to shine in their bowl game against Rutgers. Edwards ran for 196 yards and two touchdowns, along with a touchdown through the air. Now, Edwards, a junior, looks to carry off where he left off.

Jontez Williams, DB, Iowa State

The Cyclones have had one defensive back drafted in the last three drafts: Anthony Johnson Jr., T.J. Tampa, and Darian Porter. Now this year’s most interesting defensive back on the team is Jontez Williams. Last year, Williams ended the season with a team-leading four interceptions. Williams and teammate Jeremiah Cooper will be the key to stopping Avery Johnson from completing a pass outside the pocket.

As it stands, KSU is a three-point favorite heading into game day. Personally, I think the Wildcats are gonna cover in a back-and-forth game.