In the wacky, wide-open world of the new Big 12 Conference, both Iowa State and Kansas State have aspirations of winning the league and earning that automatic bid to the College Football Playoff. ISU played for the conference title last year, while KSU has been a consistent presence among Big 12 contenders for many years.

Iowa State has won two straight games against KSU, but the Wildcats come into Dublin as the more mature roster. Johnson has more weapons to lean on, and the defense should take another step with upperclassmen across the lineup, including linebacker Austin Romaine. This game is competitive and close as ever, but Kansas State pulls away late.