Big 12 Football Predictions (Week 0): No. 17 Kansas State vs. No. 22 Iowa State Highlight Season Opener

Big 12 football fans rejoice as the season is finally upon us.

And not only is college football back, but we get a Top 25 Big 12 rivalry matchup being played in Dublin, Ireland to kick things off. It doesn't get much better than that.

No. 17 Kansas State and No. 22 Iowa State will square off in the Aer Lingus College Football Classic as the rivals take "Farmageddon" halfway around the world to showcase one of the best rivalries in the country.

With it being "Week 0", only three Big 12 teams are in action with Kansas State-Iowa State, and Kansas hosting Fresno State in its brand new stadium.

The Big 12 has four ranked teams in the AP Poll at the moment (Arizona State (11th), Kansas State (17th), Iowa State (22nd) and Texas Tech (23rd)), with three schools — BYU (26th), Utah (27th) and Baylor (28th) — receiving votes and finishing just outside.

Without further ado, here's a look at the predictions this week.

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

Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 10:00 a.m. (MT)
TV: ESPN

There is so much on the line in this season opener for both teams as the winner will have an inside track to the Big 12 Championship game with a win on Saturday.

Both teams return a bunch of starters (Iowa State 12, Kansas State 10), including both of their starting quarterbacks from a year ago. Iowa State football returns 12 starters, bolstering a roster that saw a school-record 11 wins last year, despite being one of the most injury prone school last season. QB Rocco Becht looks to have another outstanding year as the junior threw for over 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns last season as a sophomore. He also rushed for 318 yards and eight touchdowns.

Meanwhile, Kansas State brings back the dynamic 1-2 punch of QB Avery Johnson and RB Dylan Edwards. Both players are licking their chops as they are going up against a Iowa State defense that ranked second-to-last in the Big 12 last season at defending the run. Johnson, a dual-threat quarterback who threw for a school-record 25 TDs last season while also rushing for 605 yards and 7 TDs is ready to take his game to the next level.

So what's going to happen Saturday when these two rivals clash?

Expect a dogfight between two Top 25 teams. The Cyclones have dominated this series in recent years, winning four of the last five meetings against Kansas State. Last year's win helped the Cyclones punch their ticket to the Big 12 title game. With it being the first game of the season, no team will punch their ticket yet, but the winner will have the inside track to getting to Arlington for the Big 12 title game.

The last three games have been decided by one possession and I think it going to stay that way. However, this time, I think Kansas State will walk out with a win. Oddsmakers also have the Wildcats favored by a field goal and I'm thinking so too.

Prediction: No. 17 Kansas State 27, No. 22 Iowa State 24

Kansas vs. Fresno State

Date: Saturday, August 23
Time: 4:30 p.m. (MT)
TV: FOX

Playing in its newly renovated stadium, the Kansas Jayhawks will look to make a statement in its home opener against Fresno State.

Expectations are low heading into the season after the team went 5-7 last year, including 4-5 in Big 12 play. The team went 9-4 the year before and many thought a repeat performance was in store.

The Jayhawks will look to bounce back to their winning ways as they host a Fresno State team that went 6-7 overall, including 4-3 in the Mountain West play last year. The Bulldogs have a new head coach and are nearly two touchdown underdogs.

The Jayhawks should have no problem beating the Bulldogs, however, their Jekyll and Hyde performance last year makes it hard for me to be confident in a blowout win. That's why I believe Kansas will win, but Fresno State will keep it somewhat close and beat the spread in the season opener for both schools.

Prediction: Kansas 30, Fresno State 20

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