The 2025 college football calendar opens in Dublin with a clash that needs little introduction: Farmageddon, as Kansas State locks horns with Iowa State in a Week 0 showdown.
It may be the first Saturday of the year, but the ripples from this one could be felt all the way into December. Both programs fancy themselves contenders in what promises to be a cutthroat Big 12 race, and an early statement win overseas could set the tone for a championship push.
A ticket to Arlington in December doesn’t just mean silverware, it's a golden doorway to the College Football Playoff. While that’s a long way down the road, this opener on Irish soil could carry more weight than it first appears. The Wildcats are coming into this season off the back of a 9-4 campaign, while the Cyclones won 11 games for the first time in program history last term.
History slightly favors the Cyclones in recent years. Iowa State holds a 4-2 edge in the last six meetings with Kansas State, including victories in back-to-back matchups and three of the past four.
Here, GOAL brings you everything you need to know about how to watch Kansas State vs Iowa State NCAAF game, plus plenty more.
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Kansas State vs Iowa State: Date and kick-off time
Kansas State will take on Iowa State in a highly anticipated NCAAF game on Saturday, August 23, 2025 at 12:00 pm ET or 9:00 am PT, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| kick-off Time | 12:00 pm ET or 9:00 am PT |
| Venue | Aviva Stadium |
| Location | Dublin, Ireland |
How to watch Kansas State vs Iowa State on TV & stream live online
- TV channel: ESPN
- Streaming service: Fubo
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Kansas State vs Iowa State team news & key stars
Kansas State Wildcats team news
On the opposite sideline, Avery Johnson remains the face of Kansas State’s offense. The junior doesn’t usually light up the stat sheet, as the Wildcats lean on their ground attack, but his 2,717 yards and 25 touchdowns last year were plenty efficient. He burned Iowa State for 220 yards and three scores in their last meeting, despite the loss.
The running game remains Kansas State’s calling card, even after losing star back DJ Giddens to the NFL. Emerging talents Dylan Edwards (546 yards) and Joe Jackson (227 yards) are set to keep the rushing attack dangerous. Out wide, the Wildcats boast Jayce Brown, one of the Big 12’s top receivers, fresh off an 823-yard season. They also added Purdue transfer Jaron Gibbs, who could provide steady depth after tallying 305 yards last year. Altogether, the offense rolled up 425 yards per game in 2024.
Defense, however, is where the Wildcats hang their hat. Their pass rush was relentless last year, though the secondary has become a concern after the departure of cornerback Jacob Parrish to the NFL. Still, they bring back leaders like linebacker Austin Romaine, who paced the squad with 96 tackles, and plenty of experience up front. The back end remains a work in progress, particularly at safety, but Kansas State’s defense still held opponents to 360 yards per outing last season.
Iowa State Cyclones team news
The Cyclones kick off the new campaign with plenty of familiar faces in the huddle, opening the year inside the AP Top 25 at No. 22.
Their strength lies through the air, where Rocco Becht once again takes the reins. The junior quarterback piled up 3,505 yards last fall while tossing 25 touchdowns against just nine picks. He’s no stranger to this matchup either—he threw for 127 yards in last year’s victory over the Wildcats and topped the 250-yard mark nine times across the season. The ground game lagged behind, though the return of junior running back Carson Hansen, who churned out 752 yards at a clip of 5.0 per carry, provides some stability.
The receiving corps is more of a question mark. The Cyclones waved goodbye to their top two wideouts, Xavier Hutchinson and Jaylin Noel, both of whom moved on to the NFL after combining for more than 2,000 yards. That leaves opportunity for others to step forward. Carson Brown should see a much bigger role, while UCF transfer Xavier Townsend brings explosive potential if he can stay healthy after an injury-plagued 2024. The tight ends will remain heavily involved, giving Becht some security blankets in the passing game. Last fall, Iowa State averaged a solid 421 total yards per outing.
Defensively, the Cyclones are a mixed bag. They lost their top pass-rusher to the pros, but linebacker Caleb Bacon returns from a season-ending knee injury and could be a difference-maker in the middle. The secondary is in good hands with returning starters Jeremiah Cooper and Jontez Williams, though overall the unit still allowed an average of 358 yards per contest in 2024.