Kansas Jayhawks vs Iowa State Cyclones Prediction and Picks - November 22, 2025
Use Code SSWC Big 12 college football action on Saturday afternoon, and we have a Kansas vs Iowa State prediction locked and loaded for you. Kansas comes in off a tough 24-20 road loss to Arizona, which dropped them to 5-5 on the year. They need to win to gain bowl eligibility. Iowa State comes in at 6-4 on the year and they are off a hard-fought 20-17 road win over TCU. These teams met last year and Kansas won 45-36 at home. Kansas has now won the last three in this series. Read on to see our Kansas vs Iowa State prediction.
When it comes to college football selections, our College Football predictions are stellar.
Jayhawks Fall Short In The Desert
Kansas’ most recent game was a 24-20 road loss to Arizona on November 8, 2025, a contest where quarterback Jalon Daniels went 15-of-29 for 199 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Daniels also led the ground attack, rushing 14 times for 74 yards and a score, while Daniel Hishaw Jr. added 67 yards on 18 carries. Wideout Ethan Henderson Jr. provided the biggest spark in the passing game, hauling in five catches for 65 yards including a 24-yard touchdown. Despite moving the ball consistently, the Jayhawks couldn’t finish drives late, and Arizona capitalized with a decisive fourth-quarter touchdown to hand Kansas its fifth loss of the season.
Daniels has been the centerpiece of the offense all year, throwing for 2,190 yards and 21 touchdowns while adding 345 rushing yards and three scores. His ability to extend plays has kept Kansas competitive, but the Jayhawks rely heavily on balance from the backfield. Hishaw and LJ Williams have combined for over 850 rushing yards and six touchdowns, giving Kansas a steady one-two punch behind Daniels. Henderson leads the receiving corps with 638 yards and five touchdowns, while Cole Pickett and Ben Groen continue to provide reliable secondary options, as both showed in the Arizona game with key chunk plays. Kansas averages just over 30 points per game, ranking 54th nationally, and their ability to spread the ball around has been their best weapon against stronger defenses.
Sign Up Get $30 Premium Picks Credit + Exclusive Offers
Subscribe Now
Defensively, Kansas has struggled to find consistency, allowing 377 yards and 25.2 points per game. The secondary has held opponents to just over 200 passing yards per contest, but the run defense has been a glaring weakness, giving up nearly 170 yards per game. With only four takeaways all season, the Jayhawks have had trouble flipping momentum through turnovers, which has left them vulnerable in close games. Heading into Ames, Kansas will need Daniels to stay efficient, the run game to provide balance, and the defense to tighten up against an Iowa State team that thrives on grinding out drives and wearing opponents down.
Iowa State Gets Big Road Win Against TCU
Iowa State’s most recent game was a 20-17 road win over TCU, a grind-it-out battle that highlighted their ability to lean on the run game and defense when the passing attack faltered. Quarterback Rocco Becht struggled through the air, completing just 9-of-24 passes for 111 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. The offense found its rhythm on the ground, however, as Carson Hansen carried the ball 28 times for 108 yards and a touchdown, consistently moving the chains and wearing down the Horned Frogs’ front. Tight end Ben Brahmer provided the lone receiving score on a 23-yard catch, while Caden Sowell and Gabe Burkle chipped in with short-yardage receptions to keep drives alive.
Becht’s season has been uneven, with flashes of efficiency offset by turnovers, but his ability to contribute in the red zone has been valuable. He’s thrown for 2,230 yards with 12 touchdowns and nine interceptions, while also rushing for eight scores. Hansen has emerged as the centerpiece of the offense, now up to 721 rushing yards and five touchdowns, while Abdul Sama III adds depth with 588 yards and four scores. Brahmer remains a reliable target with 388 yards and five touchdowns, and Blake Eskildsen has stretched defenses with 434 yards and three scores. The Cyclones average 27.1 points per game, ranking 72nd nationally, and their balanced attack—when Becht avoids mistakes—has kept them competitive in close contests like the one against TCU.
Defensively, Iowa State continues to be one of the steadier units in the Big 12, allowing just 21.5 points per game and ranking 35th nationally in scoring defense. They’ve been particularly strong against the run, holding opponents to under 150 yards per contest, while the secondary has given up 222 yards per game. With nine takeaways, the Cyclones have shown the ability to swing momentum, though they rely heavily on their front seven to set the tone. Against Kansas, Iowa State will look to replicate the formula from the TCU win: control the line of scrimmage with Hansen, limit Daniels’ mobility, and force the Jayhawks into long passing downs. Playing at home in Ames, the Cyclones have the defensive backbone and rushing attack to make this another physical, low-scoring battle.
Kansas vs Iowa State Pick
Kansas vs Iowa State Spread Pick
- Iowa State -3.5 (2 Units)
Iowa State -3.5 looks like the right side because the Cyclones have shown they can win ugly, and that’s exactly the type of game this matchup projects to be. Their 20-17 road win over TCU was a perfect example of how they lean on Carson Hansen and the defense to grind out results. Hansen’s 28 carries for 108 yards gave them control of the tempo, while the defense forced stops late despite Rocco Becht’s struggles through the air. At home in Ames, Iowa State’s ability to dictate pace and force Kansas into long drives plays directly into their strengths.
Kansas, meanwhile, has been inconsistent and vulnerable against the run, giving up nearly 170 rushing yards per game. That weakness matches up poorly against Iowa State’s physical rushing attack, and with Becht capable of managing the game even when his passing numbers dip, the Cyclones don’t need explosive plays to cover this number. Add in the fact that Iowa State’s defense ranks top-40 nationally in points allowed, while Kansas has only four takeaways all season, and the Cyclones have the edge in both trenches and turnover margin. Laying -3.5 feels justified with Iowa State’s style and home-field advantage.
Kansas vs Iowa State Over/Under Pick
- Under 55.5 (3 Units)
The Under 55.5 feels like the right angle because both teams lean on the run and play slower, grind-it-out football. Iowa State just beat TCU 20-17 behind Carson Hansen’s 28 carries, and Kansas has struggled to finish drives when forced into long possessions. Neither passing attack has been explosive lately, and both defenses are built to bend but not break, with Iowa State allowing just 21.5 points per game and Kansas sitting around 25.2. With the Cyclones controlling tempo at home and the Jayhawks relying on Daniels’ legs to extend drives, this matchup sets up for a physical, low-scoring battle that stays under the number.
Betting on College Football?
- Bet with other College Football fans at the best sportsbooks
- Sign up today and get started with the latest college football sportsbook promos
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days
