Introduction to Week 0 of College Football
The new college football season is kicking off this weekend, and fans are eagerly awaiting the Week 0 matchups. With several intriguing games scheduled for Saturday, August 23, it’s essential to know what to expect before placing any bets. Bruce Marshall, the longtime executive editor of The Gold Sheet, has shared valuable insights into the biggest Week 0 games.
No. 22 Iowa State vs. No. 17 Kansas State
This “Farmageddon” Big 12 matchup is being held in Dublin, Ireland, and many are wondering why Kansas State has opened as a favorite over Iowa State despite various metrics suggesting otherwise. In their last meeting, Iowa State won 29-21, with big plays highlighting the game. The Cyclones forced two turnovers, blocked a field goal, and recorded a safety and two stops on fourth-and-2 situations. Iowa State’s RB Abu Sama III also had a solid game, rushing for 81 yards. It’s worth noting that Kansas State was only 1-6 ATS away from Manhattan in 2024, while Iowa State has covered five of its last six games as an underdog.
Fresno State at Kansas
There’s a lot of “new” in this matchup, including a new-look David Booth Memorial Stadium in Lawrence, which was undergoing renovations last fall. The temporary displacement might have contributed to Kansas’s disappointing 5-7 finish. Meanwhile, Fresno State has a new head coach, Matt Entz, and a new quarterback, E.J. Warner, who has bounced between Temple and Rice before landing in the Central Valley. Warner has passed for 8,814 yards and 58 TDs in three seasons as a starter. Kansas has won and covered its last four openers, but failed to cover its other three spread chances against FBS-level, non-conference foes last season. Fresno State is 6-2 ATS against non-Mountain West opposition over the past two seasons.
Sam Houston at Western Kentucky
This matchup features a pair of Conference USA bowl representatives from last season, with a new head coach on the Sam Houston sideline. Phil Longo, recently an offensive coordinator at Wisconsin, North Carolina, and Ole Miss, makes his FBS head coaching debut. Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton returns for his seventh season, having led the Hilltoppers to bowl games in each of his first six seasons. The Hilltoppers have won this matchup the past two seasons, including a 31-14 win last year. Saturday marks the WKU debut of Abilene Christian transfer QB Maverick McIvor, who passed for 30 TDs last year at the FCS level. Sam Houston enters 2025 on an 11-4 Under run, and the Bearkats were 5-2 in their last seven games as underdogs.
Stanford at Hawaii
The offseason has been eventful for Stanford, with head coach Troy Taylor being forced out in late March after two disappointing campaigns. Former star QB Andrew Luck has lured his former NFL coach, Frank Reich, to replace Taylor on an interim basis for 2025. Reich has already made one important move, naming Oregon State transfer Ben Gulbranson as the starting QB. This visit to Honolulu recalls a similar opener two years ago for the Cardinal, a 37-24 Stanford win. The situation at Hawaii bears watching, as coach Timmy Chang is likely on the clock after three subpar campaigns. However, Hawaii has covered eight straight games as host and enters 2025 on a 23-12 Under run. Stanford closed the Taylor era on a 4-9-1 spread skid, covering only two of its last seven games as a visitor.
Conclusion
The Week 0 matchups promise to be exciting, with several intriguing games scheduled for Saturday, August 23. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each team, fans can make informed decisions about their bets. Whether it’s the “Farmageddon” matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State or the new-look teams in Fresno State and Stanford, there’s something for everyone in the new college football season. With the right knowledge and insights, fans can enjoy the games and potentially come out on top.
