In the highly anticipated Week 0 matchup between Kansas State and Iowa State in Dublin, Ireland, the performance of each team's running backs will be absolutely critical. Both head coaches, Chris Klieman for Kansas State and Matt Campbell for Iowa State, understand the importance of establishing a strong ground game to control the clock and set up their offensive schemes.

For Kansas State, the focus will be on Dylan Edwards. With DJ Giddens now in the NFL, Edwards is set to step into a more prominent role, carrying the load for the Wildcats. His ability to break tackles and gain crucial yardage will be vital in sustaining drives and putting points on the board against a stout Iowa State defense.

On the other side, Iowa State will lean heavily on Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III. These two backs offer a potent combination of power and agility. Under Coach Campbell's guidance, their collective rushing attack will be instrumental in dictating the tempo of the game and alleviating pressure on their passing game.

Given the early-season setting and the unique environment of an international game, a reliable running game will be essential for both squads to settle in and execute effectively. The success of Dylan Edwards for Kansas State and the duo of Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III for Iowa State could very well determine which team starts their 2025 campaign with a significant Big 12 victory.

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Big 12 football shakeup: Conference merger talks heat up as Brett Yormark takes on the SEC. Is a new Power 3 on the horizon?

Drake and the squad break down the potential Big 12-ACC merger, analyzing its impact on college football's landscape. The conversation shifts to Commissioner Yormark's bold stance against SEC dominance and the ongoing Jake Retzlaff situation at BYU. Jake Hatch from Locked on BYU Cougars provides insider perspective on the Cougars' quarterback options, including McKay Hillstead and Bear Bachmeier.

Tune in for expert analysis on conference realignment, power dynamics, and BYU's critical next 30 days as the Big 12 media day approaches.

The landscape of college athletics is constantly shifting, with the Big Ten and SEC often perceived as the dominant forces shaping its future, especially regarding the College Football Playoff. However, for the Iowa State Cyclones and the entire Big 12 conference, this narrative shouldn't be a source of anxiety. Instead, it underscores their critical need to maintain and assert their autonomy in the evolving collegiate sports world.

The Big 12, despite its recent realignments, has shown resilience and a clear vision for its future. Its members, including Iowa State, possess unique identities and fan bases that contribute significantly to the broader college sports ecosystem. Decisions around playoff expansion, revenue sharing, and even the very structure of amateur athletics must reflect the interests of all conferences, not just the perceived "power brokers."

The Cyclones and the Big 12 are not passive recipients of policy; they are active participants. By presenting a united front, advocating for fair representation, and emphasizing the competitive balance and fan engagement their conference brings, they can ensure their voices are heard. Their concerns are valid, and their contributions are essential. The Big 12's strength lies in its ability to adapt and to confidently champion its own destiny, ensuring that collective decisions benefit the entirety of college sports, not just a select few.

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Iowa State faces a considerable challenge if the College Football Playoff transitions to a purely at-large seeding model, abandoning automatic qualifiers for conference champions. The current 12-team playoff offers a lifeline through guaranteed spots for top conference winners, but a fully at-large 16-team format, as some influential figures advocate, would fundamentally alter Iowa State's playoff aspirations. Historically, Iowa State hasn't consistently been a national powerhouse. Their path to the playoff has often relied on capturing the Big 12 title, exemplified by their 2020 season where a conference championship appearance propelled them to a top-10 ranking and a New Year's Six bowl. In an at-large system, the Cyclones would be forced to compete directly with perennial powerhouses from the SEC and Big Ten for limited bids. These conferences consistently boast higher-ranked teams by the committee which favors them, deeper talent pools, and benefit from inherently stronger strength of schedule metrics due to their internal competition. For Iowa State to consistently earn a playoff berth in such a landscape, they would need to achieve near-perfect records and significantly elevate their recruiting and program prestige to overcome the traditional advantages of the established football giants. This shift would relegate admirable seasons from programs like Iowa State to the periphery of playoff contention, diminishing the impact of conference championships for emerging programs.

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The annual clash between the Iowa Hawkeyes and the Iowa State Cyclones is always a monumental event in the state of Iowa, a true battle that divides families and friends along black and gold or cardinal and gold lines. This fierce in-state rivalry, often dubbed the Cy-Hawk Series, transcends mere football; it's a battle for bragging rights that lasts an entire year. Even in a "normal" year, the game is a sell-out, generating immense buzz and passion from both fan bases, eager to see which team will claim supremacy in the Hawkeye State. The intensity is palpable, and the stakes, while not always impacting conference or national titles, are always sky-high for the participants. This year, however, the Cy-Hawk game is poised to be even more spectacular with the announcement that FOX's "Big Noon Kickoff" will be broadcasting live from Ames. This national spotlight elevates an already significant rivalry to an unprecedented level. Having a major pre-game show on campus brings an electric atmosphere, showcasing the passion of both fan bases to a national audience. It signifies that this isn't just a regional skirmish, but a marquee matchup recognized across the country. The added attention, the heightened media presence, and the sheer spectacle of Big Noon Kickoff will undoubtedly amplify the energy, making the 2025 Iowa State vs. Iowa game an unforgettable chapter in this storied rivalry.

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In the tumultuous landscape of modern college football, coaching stability is a relic. The carousel spins faster than ever, with coaches often jumping ship for perceived greener pastures or being jettisoned after a few middling seasons. This makes the tenures of Iowa State's Matt Campbell and Kansas State's Chris Klieman incredibly rare and valuable. Campbell, entering his tenth season in Ames, and Klieman, beginning his seventh in Manhattan, represent an anomaly in an era defined by instant gratification and cutthroat competition.

Their longevity allows for something increasingly uncommon: true program building. A decade under one coach means consistent philosophical alignment, a coherent recruiting strategy, and the development of a strong team culture. Players aren't constantly learning new schemes or adapting to different leadership styles, fostering a sense of continuity and trust. This stability often translates to sustained success, even if it's not always championship-level. For Iowa State, Campbell has brought unprecedented respect and competitiveness to a historically struggling program. Klieman has maintained Kansas State's identity as a tough, disciplined contender. In a sport where patience is a virtue rarely practiced, these coaches demonstrate the profound benefits of committing to a long-term vision, offering a refreshing counter-narrative to the prevailing hire-and-fire mentality.

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Big 12 football is at a crossroads. With SEC politics heating up and the Big 12's competitive edge in question, what does the future hold for college football? Dive into the latest controversies surrounding BYU quarterback Jake Retzlaff's legal issues and Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell's financial influence. Hosts Drake Toll, Jake Catch, and others dissect Greg Sankey's SEC maneuvers, the implications of BYU's honor code, and the role of billionaire alumni like T. Boone Pickens in shaping the Big 12's destiny.

Will the Big 12's strategic moves redefine the college football landscape? Tune in for expert analysis and insider perspectives on these pivotal developments.

In the ever-evolving landscape of college football, the Big 12 is demonstrating a forward-thinking approach that positions it favorably against the SEC. The recent revelation that the SEC is even considering a College Football Playoff format proposed by the Big 12 speaks volumes. It suggests a clear acknowledgment of the Big 12's innovative vision for the sport's premier postseason. While the SEC often projects an image of unwavering dominance and self-sufficiency, this openness to an outside proposal hints at a potential rigidity within their own established norms, and perhaps even a recognition that their current path might not be the optimal one for the sport as a whole.

Furthermore, the philosophical difference embodied by Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is striking and, represents a more admirable stance. Yormark and the Big 12 seem unafraid to champion a system where teams genuinely earn their way into the CFP, emphasizing merit and on-field performance above all else. This contrasts sharply with the perception that the SEC, with its entrenched power, massive financial resources, and considerable political sway within college athletics, prioritizes securing automatic bids and leveraging its influence for monetary gain above all else. While financial stability is undoubtedly crucial for any conference, the Big 12's willingness to embrace a more competitive, less predetermined path to the playoff reflects a deeper commitment to the integrity of the game and the purity of competition. In a sport increasingly driven by revenue and television contracts, the Big 12's stance offers a refreshing dedication to pure competition and genuine athletic achievement, valuing the spirit of sport over the bottom line.

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