The Athletic has live coverage of College Football Week 0 Iowa State vs. Kansas State from Dublin.
What is “Week 0?” Is it a lost Michael Crichton book? A code name for some classified intergalactic project? A flash diet popular in the early 2000s? As it turns out, none of the above — it’s the official launch of college football season, stretching from Dublin Bay to O’ahu island shores. That’s a goofy name for the weekend kickoff, but hey, we’re getting Iowa State-Kansas State as “Two Gallants” in a Dubliners’ “Farmageddon.”
The 2025 campaign begins with two ranked Big 12 teams staging their rivalry game overseas. Here’s a quick look at Saturday’s slate, ordered by entertainment potential and national intrigue. We’ve included the five games involving FBS teams and the MEAC/SWAC headliner on ABC (but there are a few other FCS matchups on ESPN/ESPN2).
“Week 0” watch guide
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CBS, ABC and Fox are available for free over the air. CBS network broadcasts can also be streamed on Paramount+. Fox network broadcasts can also be streamed on Fox One. ESPN network broadcasts can also be streamed on ESPN Unlimited.
6. Idaho State at UNLV
4 p.m. on Mountain West Network
The only game without a national TV carrier, Mountain West acolytes and unabashed dice rollers can at least enjoy UNLV’s dual-QB offense. Dan Mullen said that both Anthony Colandrea and Alex Orji will get snaps under center Saturday afternoon. The Rebels have the fewest returning starters (two) of any FBS team this season. Idaho State went 5-7 last year, and the Big Sky member averaged more than 32 points per game.
From The Athletic’s preseason coverage:
UNLV is No. 48 in Chris Vannini’s ranking of 136 programs: “The Rebels must replace almost everything, but new coach Dan Mullen brought in a good transfer class, including Virginia QB Anthony Colandrea.”
UNLV’s Anthony Colandrea is No. 69 in the QB rankings, from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales: “Good luck predicting whether Colandrea, a transfer from Virginia, will produce an amazing play or a costly turnover from one down to the next. But Mullen is good with quarterbacks and could fine-tune Colandrea’s game.
‘If you’re a casual fan just watching the game, you enjoy it,’ a former Power 4 scouting director said. ‘If you work for the team he plays for, you hold your breath a little bit. If Mullen’s gonna do his traditional stuff, Colandrea’s gonna be a great fit.’”
5. Sam Houston at Western Kentucky
7 p.m. on CBSSN
It doesn’t necessarily jump off the screen, but there’s a lot to dig here in the CUSA debut. Sam Houston won 10 games in 2024, and it added air-raiding coach Phil Longo in the offseason. Maverick McIvor transferred to WKU after racking up stats at Abilene Christian; he threw for 506 yards (three touchdowns, no interceptions) versus Texas Tech last fall. The Hilltoppers are 4-2 in bowls across six seasons with pass-happy Tyson Helton. Oddsmakers see this as the highest-scoring draw of the weekend.
Sam Houston is No. 103 in Chris Vannini’s ranking of 136 programs: “After a coaching change and portal losses following a surprise 10-win season, Sam Houston must replace the entirety of one of the G5’s best defenses.”
Western Kentucky is No. 63: “WKU is once again importing an offense from the state of Texas, this time OC Rick Bowie and QB Maverick McIvor from Abilene Christian.”
Zeiqui Lawton, Sam Houston DT, is No. 76 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List: “A two-time transfer who played at Cincinnati and West Virginia before joining the Bearkats, the 6-1, 265-pound senior wowed his new teammates and coaches this summer with his numbers. He clocked a 4.70 40, vertical jumped 32.5 inches and clocked 21 mph. He benched pressed 425, squatted 535 and did a sumo deadlift of 585. He also did 16 pull-ups.”
K.D. Hutchinson, Western Kentucky WR, is No. 81: “The diminutive junior proved to be a big weapon for the Hilltoppers, especially in road games: He scored three times on big plays — 74 yards at Sam Houston, 72 yards at Middle Tennessee and 28 yards at New Mexico State. The 5-6, 180-pounder is extremely strong for his size. He did 20 reps on the bench press at 225 pounds and maxed out at 350. He squatted 450. He vertical jumped 41 inches, broad jumped 10-1 and clocked a 4.10 shuttle time. His 10-yard split was 1.5,1 and he hit 22.5 mph on the GPS.”
Sam Houston’s Hunter Watson is No. 114 in the QB rankings, from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales: “This is an interesting situation to watch. Watson started 12 games last year and helped lead Sam Houston to its breakout 10-3 campaign in Year 2 of FBS membership. He’s a battering ram as a runner (647 yards, nine TDs) but not an elite thrower. New coach Phil Longo is bringing his Air Raid-inspired scheme to Huntsville, along with a former four-star recruit he signed at Wisconsin, Mabrey Mettauer.
‘(Watson) was great for what their system was last year with the QB run game and power read,’ a Power 4 offensive coordinator said. ‘I don’t think he’s a good system fit for Longo and what they do, dropping back, throwing the football.’
Three coaches we spoke with felt Watson is one of the best QBs in CUSA, though. ‘I love that kid,’ a G5 head coach said. ‘Tough as nails.’”
WKU’s Maverick McIvor is No. 65: “Could McIvor be Bailey Zappe 2.0 for the Hilltoppers? He’s following a similar path. Like Zappe, he came oh-so-close to upsetting Texas Tech while quarterbacking an FCS program (Abilene Christian lost 52-51 to the Red Raiders in overtime last year, as McIvor threw for 506 yards). He followed Rick Bowie, his ACU offensive coordinator, to WKU, like Zappe did with Zach Kittley. And McIvor comes with tools. ‘I think he has the best arm in the league,’ a G5 scouting director said.
‘Stands big in the pocket, delivers strikes down the field, strong arm and can run,’ a G5 head coach said. ‘He’s got a chance to have a big year.’”
4. North Carolina Central at Southern
7:30 p.m. on ABC
The MEAC/SWAC Challenge is celebrating its 20th season, and this Week 0 staple is always an awesome watch. Last year’s edition was a 24-23 banger. NCCU’s “Sound Machine Marching Band” historically rips. Southern’s “Human Jukebox” does too, and their New Orleans Super Bowl pregame show should instantly lift your day:
Southern University “Human Jukebox” Super Bowl Pregame Performance
🎥 FX Sports pic.twitter.com/tJcBhqbcoP— HBCU Premier Sports & More (@HBCUSports1) February 9, 2025
NCCU defensive back Malcolm Reed has transformed himself from walk-on status to the Aeneas Williams Award watch list. Walker Harris quarterbacked 2024’s top scoring MEAC offense. His Eagles are in the HBCU celebration for the first time in four years. For Southern, Ckelby Givens is a lineman’s migraine off the edge, and he’s the SWAC preseason DPOY after leading the FCS in tackles for loss last year. The Jaguars follow up on a wild 8-5 bid, which featured three overtime wins (one went to into quintuple OT).
3. Stanford at Hawaii
7:30 p.m. on CBS
What a disastrous turn of the decade for Stanford — a 16-38 record since 2020. There’s still national intrigue here, given the Cardinal’s broad fan base and the potential redemption arc for newly installed Frank Reich. Jim Kelly’s longtime backup went 40-33-1 as the head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, then trudged through a 1-10 struggle with the Carolina Panthers. He’s back in the college ranks, looking to revive an increasingly desperate program. Hawaii’s uniforms and home digs are aesthetically elite, and there’s something decidedly chill about the latest kickoff of a Saturday lineup.
Stanford is No. 93 in Chris Vannini’s ranking of 136 programs: “An interim head coach in Frank Reich and a roster that lost top pieces after the season and spring coaching change will make for a long year. This is the lowest-ranked Power 4 team.”
Hawaii is No. 109: “Quarterback Micah Alejado brings some excitement and will need to carry the offense if a bowl game is the goal.”
Stanford’s Elijah Brown is No, 93 in the QB rankings, from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales: “Brown doesn’t have the strongest arm, is only an OK athlete and lacks experience. But he’s the only quarterback on the roster who threw a pass for Stanford last season, so that makes him the leader in the race for the starting role. UCF transfer Dylan Rizk could be a factor. Interim coach Frank Reich has no ties to either quarterback. It’ll be interesting to see how this situation unfolds.”
Hawaii’s Micah Alejado is No. 105: “Alejado started Hawaii’s regular-season finale and turned in an awesome performance with 469 passing yards and five touchdowns. We know Alejado was talented enough to start at a high school power like Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). We also know that his size is a concern. Will he be able to hold up for a whole season? If he can, Hawaii may have found a diamond in the rough.”
2. Fresno State at Kansas
6:30 p.m. on Fox
This is set up by two quarterbacks who command attention. E.J. Warner is the son of Kurt, Pro Football Hall of Famer. He throws a fair share of picks, but he’s also fearless in the pocket and unafraid to let it rip. Warner hung 430 yards and three TDs on South Florida in his final game with Rice. Let’s see what he’s capable of in his Fresno State introduction. Matt Entz takes over for the Bulldogs after two FCS championships at North Dakota State. For the hosts, Jalon Daniels anchored a top-performing Jayhawks offense in 2024, and he’s on the Golden Arm watch list to start 2025. Both offenses should stay busy. Kansas is unveiling its souped-up stadium complex.
Fresno State is No. 78 in Chris Vannini’s ranking of 136 programs: “With veteran QB E.J. Warner, new coach Matt Entz hopes to bring a winning pedigree from his time at North Dakota State.”
Kansas is No. 36: “Can QB Jalon Daniels make it through a season healthy? The defense should be good, and Kansas needs to flip last year’s 1-5 record in one-score games.”
Fresno State’s E.J. Warner is No. 87 in the QB rankings, from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales: “Warner, a former starter at Temple, has a lot of career production (8,814 yards) but needs a better scheme fit than what he had last year at Rice, where he was a bit out of his comfort zone and the turnovers piled up.
‘He struggles to push the ball down the field, but he’s smart enough to take the checkdowns and know where the ball should go,’ a G5 defensive coordinator said. ‘If (Fresno State is) able to do some things maybe more West Coast-style, to use his skill set, he’ll be better off.’”
Kansas’ Jalon Daniels is No. 34: “The quarterback who led Kansas’ revival is still heavily respected around the Big 12, even after a down 2024 in which he never got in a groove and his turnover total skyrocketed. On the bright side, the oft-injured Daniels played all 12 games for the first time in his career. If he can do that again, there’s a belief that he’ll return to form.
‘He’s electric,’ a Big 12 coordinator said.”
Daniel Hishaw Jr., Kansas RB, is No. 21 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List: “The 5-10, 220-pound senior has battled back from two significant hip injuries that hampered him in 2021 and 2022. He plays with extreme physicality, whether it’s punishing a blitzing linebacker or pounding would-be tackles. In his Jayhawk career, he’s rushed 1,490 yards and 18 touchdowns, averaging a robust 5.3 yards per carry. His power is also very evident in the weight room, where he benches 405 pounds and squats 540. His explosiveness also made jaws drop this offseason when he vertical jumped 43.4 inches (up 3.3 inches from this spring).”
1. Kansas State vs. Iowa State
Noon on ESPN | In Dublin
The Aer Lingus College Football Classic is our clear-cut lead. Avery Johnson and Rocco Becht are each capable of gaudy numbers. Iowa State is coming off an 11-win effort, with a plus-114 point differential and a No. 15 ranking in the final AP poll. Kansas State went 9-4, edging out Rutgers in a memorable 44-41 Rate Bowl finish. Aviva Stadium seats 51,700. Harps out.
Kansas State is No. 21 in Chris Vannini’s ranking of 136 programs: “Quarterback Avery Johnson has playmakers around him, but a new offensive line will have to hold up.”
Iowa State is No. 27: “QB Rocco Becht must find new favorite receivers, but the Cyclones return a ton from a team that reached the Big 12 title game.”
Kansas State’s Avery Johnson is No. 22 in the QB rankings, from Sam Khan Jr. and Antonio Morales: “Johnson’s first year as K-State’s starter had its ups and downs. There were nights when it all came together and he was the dual-threat star many projected, and others when he was bit by the turnover bug, which doomed the Wildcats in losses to BYU and Houston. He’ll have to do a better job of understanding coverages and identifying defensive looks pre-snap to cut that down. But when he takes care of the ball, there are few more electric than Johnson, who has the acceleration and burst to eat up chunks of yards on the ground (605 rushing yards, seven TDs). Coaches love Johnson’s upside.
‘Supreme athlete,’ a Power 4 general manager said. ‘It’s really a good fit for that offense. It’s third-and-2, third-and-3 and he scrambles around and escapes.’”
Iowa State’s Rocco Becht is No. 14: “The Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP and son of former NFL tight end Anthony Becht led the Cyclones to their first double-digit win season in school history. Iowa State leaned on him more as a passer in his second year as the starter, but he also became a real rushing weapon (318 yards, eight TDs). His 35 rushes for first downs as a QB trailed only Garrett Greene and Avery Johnson in the Big 12 (41). He’s not the most physically imposing quarterback, but he has good anticipation and consistently gets the ball into tight windows over the middle with plenty of velocity.
‘Good decision maker, processes well, does everything quickly,’ a former Power 4 scouting director said. ‘He manages the position and the game well.’”
Domonique Orange, Iowa State DT, is No. 25 on Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List: “Making another appearance on the Freaks List, Orange had a solid 2024 season, making 24 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss — 3.5 of those TFLs came in the last five games of the season. The 6-4, 325-pound Orange, who spent much of his offseason refining his diet, has benched 450 pounds, squatted 650 and cleaned 365. He also has vertical jumped 34 inches.”
Updated college football odds
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(Photo of Avery Johnson: Peter Aiken / Getty Images)
