CFB Week 0: Player Matchups for Kansas State vs Iowa State

If Week 1 of the College Football slate is a bonanza breakfast buffet of action then Week 0 is essentially a Kellogg’s Variety Pack. As with the cereal though, at least there’s a box of Coco Pops.

That’s what ‘Farmageddon’ represents in this tenuous comparison. Iowa State vs Kansas State is a Big 12 clash with a three-point spread. While last year’s Dublin game was perhaps a pre-cursor to a season of underdog shocks, this year might symbolise the importance of traditional rivalries and the effect they could have on the final outcome.

So, as always we will kick off the season with our weekly matchups and due to the limited amount of action elsewhere we have four battles from the curtain-raiser in Dublin.

Avery Johnson vs Rocco Becht

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There is no better way to start the year than with a duel between two half-decent signal callers. The two faced off in the season finale of 2024 and it was Becht’s team who were victorious despite Johnson having the better day statistically.

Johnson’s first season as starter after the departure of National Champion-to-be Will Howard, was relatively impressive and his dual threat ability made him one of the more exciting QBs in college football. He averaged over 6 yards per carry as a runner and threw for over 2,500 yards and will look to take it to the next level in 2025.

Becht’s rise has been more steady, his performance in his second year as a full-time starter was eerily similar to his first in that he threw 20 touchdowns and 8 interceptions. However, his yards per attempt, completion percentage and sacks all decreased, while his turnover worthy play % increased. In spite of the stats, Becht has become the figurehead and leader of this group. If he can up his performance then a run at the Big 12 is not beyond the Cyclones’ reach.

Dylan Edwards vs Domonique Orange

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Dylan Edwards didn’t crack the 100-yard mark in any of his regular season appearances in 2024 but boy did he come alive in the post-season. He won MVP in the Rate Bowl with 196 rushing yards at 10.9 yards per attempt. If that was a glimpse of life with Edwards as the lead running back on this team then the Wildcats fanbase have plenty to look forward to. Kansas State had the second most 20+ yard rushes nationally last year, so keep an eye out for some explosive gains.

Hoping to neutralise that threat is perhaps the highest-rated prospect across both teams. Nose tackle Domonique Orange is a hulking presence in the centre of the Cyclones defense and certainly has a size advantage over Edwards. As Orange got more snaps later in the season his dominance became clear. He recorded 13 of his 17 pressures in the last six games of the season. A two-time member of Bruce Feldman’s Freak List, Orange will be looking to impose himself from the get-go.

Ryan Davis vs James Neal III

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The Wildcats lost edge rusher Brendan Mott this offseason and his 11 sacks will be sorely missed. There was a handful of guys that showed ability but the buzz from those close to the program is all about Ryan Davis. Davis had 141 snaps in 2024 and produced 3 sacks in his freshman campaign. However, he was the hot name at Big 12 media days and could be the player K-State needs to emerge along the defensive front.

One of the men tasked with controlling Davis and the Wildcats will be James Neal III who had spells at both left guard and left tackle in 2024. He will start this year protecting Becht’s blindside and although he only allowed 1 sack in over 300 snaps, his PFF grades left plenty to be desired. With pass and run blocking grades both under 50, Neal needs to avoid being targeted as the weak link on the o-line. He is 6’6 and 330lbs so size won’t be the issue but heading into year 4, Neal needs to become an anchor not a liability.

Zashon Rich vs Chase Sowell

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Perhaps the biggest loss for Iowa State will be in their receiving corps. Becht’s favourite targets Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins have departed for the NFL, meaning someone will have to step up. Could it be East Carolina transfer Chase Sowell? The 6’4, 195lb receiver had 674 yards receiving and only went over 100 yards in 2 games last year. This is a step up in competition but he will get first shot at being the main man given the lack of experience at the position.

What makes this battle intriguing is that on the opposite side of the field, the K-State is equally inexperienced. Between them, outside corners Zashon Rich and Donovan McIntosh were on the field less than 150 snaps combined in the regular season. Rich was impressive in the Bowl game at the end of the year and could emerge as a breakout candidate in 2025. With so little known about either side at these two positions it’s certainly one to watch.

AS A LONG-SUFFERING CINCINNATI BENGALS FAN, RORY HAS FOLLOWED THE NFL FOR OVER 20 YEARS. HIS PASSION FOR THE DRAFT LED HIM TO GET ENTANGLED WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL AND HE HAS BEEN WRITING ABOUT PROSPECTS AND THE CFB LANDSCAPE EVER SINCE.