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Week 0 kickoff headline

Week 0 opens with No. 17 Kansas State vs No. 22 Iowa State in Dublin and includes five FBS games on the slate.

August 22, 2025 at 04:02 PM
blur College football Week 0 picks against the spread: Iowa State-Kansas State highlights opening games

A small Week 0 slate leads with a top 25 showdown in Dublin as five FBS games kick off the season.

Week 0 opens with Iowa State and Kansas State in Dublin

Week 0 features five games involving FBS programs, led by No. 17 Kansas State at No. 22 Iowa State in Aviva Stadium in Dublin. The matchup, part of a balanced Big 12 start to the season, carries early conference implications as both teams look to set a tone for the year. Iowa State leaned on junior quarterback Rocco Becht, who has 48 touchdowns and 17 interceptions over two years, while Kansas State relies on Avery Johnson, a quarterback whose 2023 finish showed promise despite not always flawless accuracy.

The remaining games on Saturday include UNLV hosting Idaho State in a game with a 27.5 point spread, a showcase for new Rebels coach Dan Mullen and a quarterback battle between Michigan transfer Alex Orji and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea. Kansas hosts Fresno State in a test for a Jayhawks program building around Jalon Daniels, while Western Kentucky meets Sam Houston State in a Conference USA clash and Hawaii hosts Stanford in a late night matchup. The staff picks against the spread add betting intrigue to a compact kickoff weekend as analysts weigh early form and coaching transitions.

Key Takeaways

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Week 0 offers a taste of a deep, balanced Big 12
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Farmageddon anchors the Week 0 narrative for the sport
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Coaching debuts add energy and uncertainty to the slate
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QB battles and lineup depth will drive early outcomes
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Big testing ground for Kansas Daniels and Becht expectations
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Early betting lines reveal where analysts see value in a crowded year
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Week 0 podcasts and teasers prime fans for Week 1 buzz

"Farmageddon is not just one of the best rivalry names in the sport, but also looks like a good matchup with early-season stakes."

Describes the Kansas State vs Iowa State rivalry and its significance.

"Dan Mullen’s coaching debut adds some intrigue."

About UNLV's game and coaching changes.

"Showing that upside starts with this test against Fresno State in the debut of Kansas’ renovated stadium."

Commentary on Kansas facing Fresno State in their stadium debut.

"In last year's season finale, Alejado threw for 469 yards and five touchdowns with no interceptions."

Cites Hawaii QB Micah Alejado's performance as a benchmark.

Week 0 serves as an early pulse check for a season that should feel crowded from the start. The Kansas State vs Iowa State game highlights how the Big 12 plans to defend parity, with both programs entering the year with plausible paths to the conference title. Beyond the headline game, coaching debuts in Las Vegas, Kansas, and Honolulu inject fresh energy into a narrow slate, underscoring how questions about upside and roster depth will matter more than any single result.

This short window also shows how bettors and fans will begin to size up quarterback dynamics, offensive schemes, and depth charts from the first snap. Week 0 is not a full verdict, but it does set expectations for Week 1 and beyond, especially for teams that must translate practice into competitive consistency quickly.

Highlights

  • Week 0 is the season's first taste test
  • Farmageddon kicks off the year with bite
  • QB battles ignite Week 0 meaning
  • The Big 12 starts stacked from the opening kick

The first whistle is just the start, but it already hints at a season defined by uncertainty and opportunity.

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