2025 Aer Lingus Football Classic Preview - Iowa State vs. Kansas State: Can the Cyclones upset the Wildcats in the season opener? August 22, 2025 by Marc Jerbs

The 2025 college football season kicks off in historic fashion with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, featuring a Big 12 showdown between the No. 17 Kansas State Wildcats and the No. 22 Iowa State Cyclones. This highly anticipated "Farmageddon" rivalry will be played on Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland.

Kickoff is set for 12:00 PM EDT, marking not only the first international edition of this 108-year rivalry but also the first Big 12 conference game ever played on Irish soil. For Iowa State, this will be the program's first football game outside the United States, adding even more significance to an already historic matchup.

Aer Lingus College Football Classic History

Aviva Stadium, which opened in 2010 on the site of the old Lansdowne Road, has become a premier host for college football in Ireland. Past games held here include:

• Notre Dame vs. Navy (2012, 2023)
• Georgia Tech vs. Boston College (2016)
• Nebraska vs. Northwestern (2022)

The Kansas State vs Iowa State matchup will be the 10th college football game played in Ireland overall and the fourth edition of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic since its relaunch in 2022. Uniquely, this will be the first time Farmageddon kicks off a season, and Kansas State enters with the most Big 12 victories since the league's inception in 1996 (144 wins).

Iowa State Cyclones Preview (No. 22)

The Iowa State Cyclones head into 2025 after an impressive 11-3 campaign in 2024, including a Pop-Tarts Bowl victory and a trip to the Big 12 title game. With momentum on their side, the Cyclones are aiming for another championship run.

Key Players to Watch

• QB Rocco Becht – returns for his third straight season as starting quarterback, bringing leadership and experience.
• A talented returning core from 2024 that went 7-2 in Big 12 play.
• A motivated roster ready to make history in the program's first-ever international game.

For Iowa State, this Dublin matchup is more than just a season opener—it is a chance to showcase their program on the global stage.

Iowa State vs. Kansas State Sports Bet Odds

The Wildcats are the favorites to win the game. Here are our latest odds:

• The Wildcats are favored by 3 points, with a money line of -115.
• The Cyclones Irish are the underdogs by 3 points, with a money line of +105.
• The over/under is set at 51 points, with the over at -115 and the under at -105.

Kansas State Wildcats Preview (No. 17)

The Kansas State Wildcats are coming off a strong 9-4 season in 2024, capped by a bowl victory. They have posted at least nine wins in each of the past three years, joining an elite group of just 10 Power 4 schools with that level of consistency.

Key Players to Watch

• QB Avery Johnson – entering his 15th career start, Johnson holds the K-State record with 25 touchdown passes in 2024.
• RB Dylan Edwards – rushed for a school bowl record 196 yards in the 2024 Rate Bowl.
• Tight End Unit – combined for 13 touchdowns in 2024, the most in the nation, with all four players returning.
• LB Austin Romaine (96 tackles) and S VJ Payne (64 tackles) - return to anchor the defense.

Kansas State also boasts elite efficiency, leading the Big 12 in red-zone conversions (90% since 2019) and topping the nation with 62 return touchdowns since 2005.

Final Thoughts: Farmageddon Goes Global

The Iowa State vs Kansas State Farmageddon rivalry is set to deliver fireworks in its international debut. With two ranked teams, veteran quarterbacks, and conference title ambitions, this Aer Lingus College Football Classic 2025 matchup promises to be one of the most exciting openers in recent memory. As the first Big 12 game on Irish soil and Iowa State's first international appearance, this clash at Aviva Stadium is more than just a football game—it is a milestone in the globalization of college football. Fans in Dublin, across the U.S., and around the world will be watching as the Wildcats and Cyclones battle in Ireland to launch the 2025 season.

2024-25 Iowa State vs. Kansas State Team Stats

Iowa State Cyclones	VS	Kansas State Wildcats
255.7	Passing Yards Per Game	211.4
160.5	Rushing Yards Per Game	215.5
31.9	Points Per Game	31.0
165.6	Passing Yards Allowed Per Game	224.7
188.4	Rushing Yards Allowed Per Game	118.7