College football returns with “Farmageddon” heading to Ireland this week in the season’s first games.
No. 17 Kansas State faces No. 22 Iowa State in Dublin at Aviva Stadium. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. on ESPN. It’s a big opener for the Wildcats after their 9-4 season and the Cyclones following their Big 12 championship game appearance and 11-3 finish.
The matchup features experienced quarterbacks Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht.
Big 12 and College Football Playoff implications are on the line. The coaching battle between Chris Klieman and Matt Campbell adds another layer.
Kansas takes on Fresno State in another Week 0 game. Dan Mullen makes his UNLV coaching debut against Idaho State. Sam Houston faces Western Kentucky and Stanford travels to Hawaii.
Last season we went 144-146 (.497) against the spread and 216-74 (.745) straight up. That was down from 2023’s 151-136 (52.6%) against the spread and 224-66 (77.2%) straight up performance.
Week 0 picks against the spread
No. 17 Kansas State (-3) vs. No. 22 Iowa State (12 p.m., ESPN)
Iowa State has won four of the last five meetings. Both teams played one-score games the past two seasons. The Cyclones went 2-0 against the spread as underdogs last year.
Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel are gone to the NFL after posting 1,000-yard receiving seasons.
Becht must build chemistry with UCF transfer Xavier Townsend and East Carolina transfer Chase Sowell. The Cyclones will lean on running backs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III early while Becht finds his rhythm.
Those running backs combined for 139 yards on 4.9 yards per carry in last year’s game. Kansas State linebacker Austin Romaine had 12 tackles in that matchup.
Johnson threw three touchdowns with no interceptions in last year’s 29-21 loss. Jayce Brown rushed for 106 yards and two scores. Dylan Edwards gets his chance as the lead back.
The talent levels are even between these teams.
Turnovers made the difference last year when Kansas State had two fumbles. The turnover battle is hard to predict in an overseas game. Johnson’s scrambling ability could extend plays, and if the Wildcats avoid costly mistakes, they’ll take an early Big 12 lead.
Kansas State went 9-3 straight up as favorites last year but just 3-9 against the spread.
Pick: Kansas State wins 24-20 and COVERS the spread
Fresno State at Kansas (-12.5) (6:30 p.m., Fox)
This is a big year for Kansas under Lance Leipold. Jalon Daniels returns healthy at quarterback. Running back Daniel Hishaw Jr. could break out this season.
The Jayhawks will show off their renovated Memorial Stadium in the opener.
Fresno State quarterback E.J. Warner is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner. He’s thrown 58 touchdowns and 37 interceptions through stops at Temple and Rice.
If Kansas wins the turnover battle by two or more, the Bulldogs will struggle. The Jayhawks went 1-3 against the spread as home favorites last season.
Pick: Kansas wins 31-21 but FAILS TO COVER the spread
Sam Houston at Western Kentucky (-10) (7 p.m., CBSSN)
Sam Houston welcomes new coach Phil Longo, who’s installing an Air Raid offense. That transition and a rebuilt defense with eight transfers will face a Conference USA opener at Western Kentucky.
The Hilltoppers also feature several transfers in their starting lineup.
Quarterback Maverick McIver threw for 3,828 yards and 30 touchdowns with Abilene Christian at the FCS level last season. This looks like a shootout, and Western Kentucky is 4-5 against the spread as home favorites over the past two seasons.
Pick: Western Kentucky wins 38-27 and COVERS the spread
Stanford at Hawaii (-2) (7:30 p.m., CBS)
The Warriors went 4-3 at home last season. Timmy Chang has a new quarterback in Micah Alejado.
Stanford features first-year coach Frank Reich and sixth-year quarterback Ben Gulbranson. Gulbranson is working with four transfer receivers.
Hawaii is further ahead in its rebuild. Stanford ranked 116th in scoring defense last year.
Hawaii is 0-6 straight up against Power 4 opponents under Chang.
Pick: Stanford wins 29-24 in an UPSET
