Overview

• Kickoff is noon ET Saturday on ESPN at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, where the ranked Big 12 rivals — No. 17 Kansas State and No. 22 Iowa State — launch the new season.
• Aer Lingus flew both delegations to Ireland, with Kansas State noting 947 bags, 278 pieces of sports gear and 136 band instruments transported for the event.
• Caesars reports the spread has toggled between -3.5 and -3 in recent days after earlier swings between -2.5 and -4, with Kansas State drawing the bulk of wagers.
• Several analysts have leaned Wildcats, including FOX Sports’ Chris Fallica and Bleacher Report at -3, with Joel Klatt also backing Kansas State in pregame picks.
• Quarterbacks Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht headline the matchup, which doubles as an early conference test with potential Big 12 and expanded Playoff implications.