Kansas Jayhawks vs. Iowa State Cyclones Picks and Prediction for Saturday, November 22nd, 2025

The Kansas Jayhawks (5-5, 4-6 ATS, 5-5 O/U) take on the Iowa State Cyclones (6-4, 4-5-1 ATS, 4-6 O/U) in a Big 12 clash on Saturday afternoon, and we have you covered with the prediction. Last week, the Jayhawks dropped a road game against Arizona. The Cyclones issued a road win against TCU in their previous action. The Jayhawks posted a home win against the Cyclones last season.

Can Iowa State post a second straight win on Saturday afternoon? Check out the Jayhawks vs. Cyclones prediction. Do you need a boost in your handicapping? Try our NCAAF Picks!

Kansas Seeks Important Sixth Win

The Kansas Jayhawks are targeting bowl eligibility. They need just one win in their last two games to secure a berth. Kansas has been shaky, amassing a 2-3 mark in its past five games. They lost against Kansas State to end October and beat Ok State earlier this month. Next, the Jayhawks were dealt a 24-20 road defeat against Arizona in a meeting that had the Wildcats as 5.5-point dogs. The Jayhawks are 3-4 in conference play. They have covered in two of their past five games.

Jalon Daniels doesn’t post huge numbers but is consistent. The senior QB has surpassed 200 yards in five games this season and has posted 2190 passing yards and a 21:3 TD to INT ratio on the season. Kansas will run more than pass. Daniel Hishaw Jr. has posted 53 or more yards in four straight games. The senior RB leads the squad with 430 rushing yards. However, he's listed as questionable for this game with an undisclosed injury.

The receiving core is decent. Emmanuel Henderson Jr. brought in 65 yards in the defeat last week. The senior has netted 638 receiving yards. Cam Pickett is next with 423 receiving yards.  The Kansas offense managed 369 yards last week. They are averaging 388 yards per game.

The Jayhawks' defense is a weakness. They had one of their better effort of the season last week, keeping Arizona to 323 yards. They are conceding 377 yards per game. Bangally Kamara has made 42 tackles and deflected three passes. The pass defense is 51st, while the rush defense is a weakness, standing 96th.

Kansas is averaging 30.2 points on the year, marking them 55th. The Jayhawks are conceding an average of 25.2 points, pegging them 75th.

Iowa State Secures Bowl Berth

The Iowa State Cyclones are seeking a .500 record in Big 12 play. The Cyclones stand at 3-4 in conference action. They have just one win in their past five games. Iowa State lost decisions against BYU and Arizona State a few weeks ago. The squad answered with a 20-17 upset road win against TCU last week in a meeting that had the Cyclones marked as 7.5-point dogs. It was a big one, marking their sixth win of the season, which secured their spot in a bowl game next month. The Cyclones have covered the spread in just one of their past five games.

Rocco Becht is having an inconsistent season. The junior QB has recorded 205 or fewer passing yards in four of his past five games. Becht only managed 111 yards last week and has delivered 2230 passing yards and a 12:9 TD to INT ratio on the season.

The Iowa State running game is solid. Carson Hansen has been a beast, surpassing 100 yards in three straight games, including 108 yards last week. The junior RB has generated 721 rushing yards on the season. Abu Sam III is just behind with 721 yards. The receiving core has four players with 300 or more yards. Brett Eskidlsen yielded 20 yards last week and has 434 yards. Benjamin Brahmer is next with 388 yards. The Iowa State offense was kept to 272 yards last week, dipping its season average to 395 yards per game.

The Cyclones' defense is their top strength. The unit has conceded 24 or fewer points in three of its past four games. The Cyclones gave up 432 yards last week and are squandering an average of 372 yards per game. Defensive back Marcus Neal Jr. leads the defense with 70 tackles. The pass defense is ranked 71st, while the rush defense is 69th. CB Ta'Shawn James is out for this game due to an undisclosed injury. He has recorded 33 tackles and five passes defensed.

Iowa State is scoring an average of 27.1 points on the season, rating them 71st. The Cyclones are keeping opponents to an average of 21.5 points, positioning them 35th in the country.

Kansas vs. Iowa State Pick

Spread Pick for Kansas vs. Iowa State

• Iowa State Cyclones -5 (5 units)

The Kansas Jayhawks have been stumbling late this season. They have dropped three of their past four games. The only win in that span was at home against a weak Oklahoma State team that has only one win. The Jayhawks have not been any better when on the road, managing just one road win on the season. The Iowa State Cyclones are confident after an upset road win against TCU last week.

Furthermore, Iowa State has a potent running game. They are averaging 164 rushing yards per game. This is key in this one against a shaky rush defense. The Jayhawks are squandering an average of 169 rushing yards per game, pegging them 96th in the entire country. Also, Kansas has scored 20 or fewer points in three of its past four games. Many of their recent defeats have been by big margins. Three of the Jayhawks' past five defeats have been by double digits.

Over/Under Pick for Kansas vs. Iowa State

• Over 55.5 (5 units)

I expect a ton of scoring. Kansas has a decent offense that averages 30 points per game. They have scored 58 points in their past two games.  The Cyclones' defense has not been as sharp, squandering an average of 29 points in their last five games, including 65 points in their past two home games.

In addition, Iowa State should expose a defense that is having difficulties containing the opposition on the road. They have squandered an average of 32 points on the road this season. Also, Iowa State uses a quick offense, standing 45th in the country in offensive plays per game.