Week 0 of the college football season is always something that people look forward to every year, with normally one or two games that catch fans’ attention, and the 2025 version will get underway this weekend with intrigue and anticipation as a handful of Power Four programs take the field, giving fans an early glimpse of what’s to come. Storylines are already bubbling to the surface, including high-stakes quarterback battles and key coaching transitions, and the results of tomorrow’s games could very well set the tone for each conference’s trajectory this season. With teams looking to make a statement right out of the gate, the opening weekend promises meaningful outcomes, exciting individual performances, and a clear preview of which programs are ready to compete at the highest level. With that in mind, let’s take a closer look at each of the five games being played on Saturday to kick things off:

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Saturday, August 23

#22 Iowa State vs. #17 Kansas State (-3.5) (O/U: 50.5)

Aviva Stadium, Dublin, Ireland

Noon, ESPN

The college football season is once again kicking off in Dublin, Ireland this year with #22 Iowa State and #17 Kansas State squaring off in a highly anticipated Week 0 matchup. The Cyclones are coming off their best season in school history at 11-3 under longtime head coach Matt Campbell, capped by a Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Miami, and now return quarterback Rocco Becht to lead an offense that will rely more on its tight ends after losing its top two receivers, while a veteran defensive front anchored by Dominique Orange and Caleb Bacon looks to keep the momentum going. On the other side, Chris Klieman’s Wildcats finished 9-4 a season ago and bring back dynamic dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson, who broke passing touchdown records as a first-year starter, alongside explosive receiver Jayce Brown, with an experienced front seven and plenty of offensive weapons making them a trendy pick to contend for the Big XII crown. With both teams entering 2025 viewed as legitimate conference challengers, this international stage offers an immediate test of their playoff aspirations.

Best Bet: Avery Johnson o51.5 Rushing Yards

For someone who was able to cover this line in each of his last three games to close out 2024, including against Iowa State, I love for Avery Johnson to go over 51.5 rushing yards, as the Kansas State quarterback’s legs remain one of the most dangerous weapons in college football. Johnson rushed for over 600 yards last season while averaging over five yards per carry, and in a matchup against an Iowa State defense that thrives against the pass but can sometimes struggle containing mobile quarterbacks, his ability to extend plays and break off chunk gains on the ground should be a major factor. With K-State expected to lean on his dual-threat ability early in the season without DJ Giddens, this rushing prop looks like strong value. Johnson’s ability as a runner often overshadows his arm talent, but that only makes him even more dangerous, since defenses must respect both dimensions of his game. While I also strongly considered picking Dylan Edwards to eclipse over 71.5 rushing yards against Iowa State’s vulnerable run defense, especially after his 196-yard performance in the Rate Bowl last year against Rutgers, Johnson feels like the more consistent and trustworthy playmaker to lean on in this type of national stage matchup.

Prediction

Looking back at previous games in Dublin, lots of the games have been won on the ground, which is mainly because of the softer-than-normal playing surface that teams play on every year at this venue. With that in mind, that’s where Kansas State has a major edge, and that’s why the Wildcats are going to win this game. Iowa State’s defense struggled pretty badly for the most part against the run, and while Kansas State won’t have DJ Giddens in the backfield anymore, Dylan Edwards can break away for a big run at any moment in the game while Avery Johnson’s legs keep the Wildcats driving down the field, ultimately allowing the Wildcats to build a slim but steady lead. Rocco Becht will play a little better than he did last year after going 13-for-35 in Farmageddon last year, but without their top two wideouts from last year in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel, their struggles to consistently generate explosive plays in the pass game will leave them playing catch-up late. A final push from Kansas State’s defense, coupled with Johnson icing the game with a late drive, gives the Wildcats a 30-23 victory in Dublin. For Chris Klieman’s team, this kind of statement win in Week 0 bolsters their status as a Big 12 favorite and keeps them firmly in the New Year’s Six conversation, while for Matt Campbell’s Cyclones, the close loss signals that they’re still a contender in the expanded Big XII race, but with work to do offensively if they want to break through against the league’s top-tier competition.

Final Score: #17 Kansas State 30, #22 Iowa State 23

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Idaho State @ UNLV (-29.5) (O/U: 65.5)

Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV

4 pm

UNLV’s 2025 season is set to kick off at home as they host Idaho State, with plenty of intrigue surrounding the Rebels as they open the Dan Mullen era. UNLV is coming off a banner 11-3 season that included a Mountain West title game appearance, and while only two defensive starters return, Mullen hit the transfer portal hard to reload a unit that will need to gel quickly. The quarterback position is the most-watched storyline, with Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea and Michigan transfer Alex Orji battling for the starting job, both bringing a dual-threat element that fits well into Mullen’s offensive system. On the ground, running back Jai’Den Thomas looks to build off a near-1,000-yard campaign, while receivers Jaden Bradley and JoJo Earle headline an otherwise unsettled wideout group. The Rebels have developed a reputation for dominating non-conference games and covering spreads, though recent outings have tended to trend lower-scoring, adding intrigue to the totals market. Viewed as one of the Mountain West’s most fascinating teams this season, UNLV now aims to show that last year’s success wasn’t a fluke as they break in new leadership and roster pieces against an Idaho State squad still searching for consistency.

Best Bet: Under 65.5

There’s a couple of pretty key reasons as to why I’m loving the under here at 65.5. It’s hard to see Idaho State putting up much scoring production against a higher-level Group of Five team like UNLV. The Bengals have struggled to move the ball consistently when stepping up in competition, and that trend should continue against a rebuilt Rebel defense. On the other side, while UNLV has more firepower, the quarterback battle between Anthony Colandrea and Alex Orji could limit their explosiveness early in the year as Dan Mullen works to find the right rhythm in his system. With Jai’Den Thomas and the ground game likely being the focal point, that sets up for long, clock-chewing drives rather than constant fireworks. Add in the fact that UNLV games have recently leaned toward the lower-scoring side, and the under looks like the smarter play in this spot.

Prediction

UNLV is obviously going to control this game from start to finish, leaning on its superior talent, physicality, and depth to wear down Idaho State on both sides of the ball. The Rebels should have little trouble moving the ball on the ground and putting points on the board, and defensively, their revamped unit will take advantage of Idaho State’s inability to generate consistent offense against higher-level opponents, forcing turnovers and keeping the Bengals from sustaining drives. UNLV wins this and just narrowly covers the 29.5-point spread, showcasing the Rebels’ offensive upside while also highlighting a defense capable of handling its business against overmatched opponents. Moving forward, such a dominant performance in Mullen’s debut would reinforce expectations that UNLV can once again contend in the Mountain West, especially if the quarterback battle produces a clear, reliable starter by the time conference play rolls around.

Final Score: UNLV 45, Idaho State 13

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Fresno State @ Kansas (-14.5) (O/U: 50.5)

David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS

6:30 pm, FOX

Kansas is finally ready to start their new era in their newly-renovated stadium, setting the stage for an intriguing Week 0 matchup against Fresno State in Lawrence. The Jayhawks are entering 2025 off a disappointing 5-7 2024 season that was a rollercoaster under fifth-year head coach Lance Leipold, highlighted by a late-season surge that included wins over Iowa State, BYU, and Colorado, giving fans reason for optimism. The Jayhawks return a core group of playmakers, boast an improved home stadium environment, and will lean on a high-conversion offense and a balanced rushing attack, though replacing the production of former star Devin Neal will be a key storyline. They’ll be hosting a Fresno State team coming off a turbulent 6-7 campaign in 2024 that featured a midseason coaching change when Jeff Tedford stepped down for health reasons, and now Matt Entz takes the reins, bringing in a new staff and a retooled roster. Fresno State hopes transfer quarterback EJ Warner from Rice can quickly adapt and spark an offense that showed flashes last season, while the defense looks to maintain its strong second-quarter performances despite considerable roster turnover at wide receiver. Both teams are eager to make statements early, with Fresno State looking to prove it can thrive under new leadership and Kansas aiming to continue building momentum from its late-season turnaround.

Best Bet: Jalon Daniels Anytime TD

There isn’t a lot of props or lines that I love for this game, so with just a few that I had somewhat in mind for tomorrow, Jalon Daniels to score a rushing touchdown seems like a realistic possibility. The running game for the Jayhawks over the past few years has been a highly underrated aspect of their offense for a while, and his dual-threat abilities have been a major weapon for the Jayhawks, especially in short-yardage and goal-line situations. Last season, he struggled at times throwing the football early in games, which forced Kansas to lean heavily on his legs to win some of their biggest matchups, and with Devin Neal now gone and a new starting running back in the backfield, that reliance on Daniels and his mobility is only going to increase, giving him more opportunities to reach the end zone both through designed runs and option plays that take advantage of his dual-threat skill set. Depending on which prop gives out a better payout between his anytime touchdown or his over on rushing yards, I’d recommend looking at both, but with quarterbacks like Daniels, it’s probably safer just to go with the touchdown due to the risk of sack yards.

Prediction

I believe Kansas is going to earn a statement win over Fresno State in their first game in their new-looking stadium in a game that showcases both their resiliency and adaptability under fifth-year head coach Lance Leipold. The Jayhawks will lean on Jalon Daniels as a passer with his newly revamped wide receiver corps, but potentially more on his rushing ability to control the tempo, particularly on short-yardage and red-zone plays, while their third-down efficiency that increasingly improved as 2024 progressed will keep Fresno State’s defense off balance. Defensively, Kansas will do just enough to bottle up EJ Warner and the Bulldogs’ passing attack even with a pass defense that wasn’t particularly great last year, and a different look on offense for the Bulldogs might see some forced turnovers and limited big play ability, especially in the second half when the Jayhawk defense settles in as a whole. For Fresno State, the loss underscores the challenges of adapting to a new coaching staff and integrating EJ Warner into the offense, signaling that, even though there’s still work to be done for the Bulldogs to consistently compete in the Mountain West this season, they have a coach that can win games in bunches. This victory for Kansas, on the other hand, not only gives them an much-needed early-season boost in confidence and momentum, but also validates their reliance on Daniels as a central offensive weapon moving forward. Give me the Jayhawks plus the points on Saturday.

Final Score: Kansas 38, Fresno State 21

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Sam Houston @ Western Kentucky (-9.5) (O/U: 61.5)

Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium, Bowling Green, KY

7 pm, CBSSN

The Conference USA will also kick things off in Week 0 as well with a key matchup in Bowling Green as Sam Houston visits Western Kentucky, setting up an intriguing clash between two programs with contrasting strengths. Sam Houston comes in off a 10-3 overall record last season, finishing 6-2 in conference play, and returns under new offensive-minded head coach Phil Longo with quarterback Hunter Watson once again leading a Bearkats offense expected to be more dynamic than ever. While the Bearkats must replace key defensive contributors, their experienced offensive line and skill players give them a strong foundation to push tempo and generate scoring opportunities. Western Kentucky, meanwhile, finished 8-6 in 2024, showing flashes of resilience despite defensive struggles, particularly against the run, and an offense that is adjusting to a new quarterback and significant personnel turnover. With both teams facing questions, such as Sam Houston defensively and Western Kentucky offensively, the matchup provides a chance to see how quickly these squads can establish themselves for the season and which side of the ball will set the tone in this early-season contest.

Best Bet: Over 61.5

The outcome itself could really go any way with these two teams being two of the C-USA’s marquee squads for this season, so while I want to leave the point spread and moneylines alone, I have my eye on the over at 61.5, as both Sam Houston and Western Kentucky are entering this season with fresh perspectives that should translate into more offense. While last year’s matchup finished well under that number, Sam Houston will lean on a more aggressive offensive approach under Phil Longo, letting their returning skill players and experienced offensive line generate points while the defense reloads entirely with transfers and no returning starters. Western Kentucky, meanwhile, has long thrived on explosive plays through the air, and even with some low-scoring games in 2024, their new quarterback and offensive weapons should keep the scoreboard active. With both teams aiming to establish momentum early and showcase their offensive identities, the conditions are ripe for a high-scoring opener.

Prediction

I have Western Kentucky edging Sam Houston out in a nailbiter that promises to set the tone for both teams’ campaigns for this season. The Hilltoppers’ new-looking air attack, led by Maverick McIvor and another talented group of receivers in Bowling Green, will stretch the Sam Houston defense and produce key explosive plays, while the Bearkats will answer with a balanced attack under Hunter Watson and a revamped offensive line that opens lanes both through the ground and short passes. Late in the fourth quarter, Western Kentucky’s experience in high-pressure situations and ability to convert in the red zone will allow them to secure a narrow lead, despite a late surge from the Bearkats. For Western Kentucky, this opening victory will provide momentum and confidence in their offensive identity heading into Conference USA play, while Sam Houston will learn how to finish tight contests the the hard way as well as how to rely on a defense in transition, giving them areas to refine as they move forward this season and work towards contending for a conference title.

Final Score: Western Kentucky 34, Sam Houston 31

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Stanford @ Hawaii (-2.5) (O/U: 50.5)

Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex, Honolulu, HI

7:30 pm, CBS

The college football season kicks off in Week 0 with Stanford visiting Hawaii in what should be an intriguing opening matchup. The Cardinal enter 2025 under new head coach Frank Reich after the sudden dismissal of Troy Taylor, bringing stability and NFL experience to a program that has endured a turbulent offseason. Stanford returns 14 out of 22 starters, including quarterback Ben Gulbranson, who won the job over younger prospects and now looks to lead an offense featuring standout receivers C.J. Williams and JonAnthony Hall, along with tight end Sam Roush. Defensively, Stanford brings back eight starters, highlighted by a shutdown secondary led by corner Collin Wright Jr., giving them a solid foundation against the pass-heavy Rainbow Warriors. Hawaii, meanwhile, looks to build on a 2024 season that ended without a bowl berth but showcased quarterback Micah Alejado’s emergence late in the year, including a 469-yard, five-touchdown performance in the finale. With key targets like Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle and head coach Timmy Chang aiming to harness their high-octane passing attack, Hawaii hopes to show they’re ready to compete at a higher level this season. This opening clash will test Stanford’s defensive poise against Hawaii’s aerial weapons while providing a national stage for both teams to make early statements about their 2025 aspirations.

Best Bet: Hawaii -2.5

The circumstances surrounding Stanford make it very difficult to trust them in this spot. The Cardinal are navigating a full rebuild under interim head coach Frank Reich, with a former backup quarterback from Oregon State tasked with leading an offense amid roster losses to the NFL Draft and the transfer portal. The line’s flip from Stanford -2.5 to Hawaii -2.5 reflects just how uncertain Stanford’s immediate outlook is, and rightly so, as this is a team coming off a three-win season, two of which came against Syracuse and Louisville, and they’ll be asked to make a positive impact right away on the road. Meanwhile, Hawaii is in a strong position with Alejado ready to showcase his arm talent after a couple of strong performances late in 2024, and with a talented receiving corps, the home-field advantage of visiting teams always facing long travel and unfamiliar conditions, and Stanford still sorting out its identity and personnel issues, the Rainbow Warriors are poised to capitalize and come away with a home victory. Take Hawaii to cover the 2.5-point spread here.

Prediction

This is a game that Stanford needs for their own sake as they won’t have many opportunities like this throughout the rest of their season, but unfortunately, the Cardinal are just plain awful this year. I just can’t find any other way to put it as their defense is going to be an absolute nightmare without any talent like former star edge rusher David Bailey anywhere on the field for them, and their quarterback just wasn’t good for Oregon State last year, even against middle-of-the-pack Mountain West programs. Micah Alejado will shine again for the Rainbow Warriors, making quick reads and connecting with Ashlock and Cenacle for critical third-down conversions, while the Hawaii offensive line will give him just enough time to exploit a defense already trying to adjust to their new interim coaching staff. Miscues and missed opportunities in the red zone will ultimately cost the Cardinal, especially late in the game, and a win for Hawaii will give them early-season momentum and confidence that they can compete with Power Four programs, while Stanford faces the harsh reality of a long rebuild ahead, with plenty of questions at quarterback, offensive cohesion, and depth that will likely persist through the first half of the season.

Final Score: Hawaii 28, Stanford 24

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Stay tuned this weekend to see who will come out of Week 0 with early wins to get things underway for the 2025 college football season!