The 2025 College Football season is finally here! Welcome to our CFB Best Bets as we break down the Week 0 slate of games. Let’s focus on two games for our top CFB picks before giving out more CFB predictions below. 

Saturday’s Week 0 college football slate features just five games on the schedule. Even so, there are plenty of ways to go for our CFB picks. Plus, all CFB predictions below are for one unit unless otherwise noted. Without further ado, let’s dive into our CFB Best Bets. 

CFB Picks, Predictions & Best Bets: Saturday, 8/23

Our Week 0 CFB Best Bets feature a Big 12 matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State as the season starts up in Dublin. Plus, UNLV will host Idaho State in another intriguing afternoon game. Don’t miss more CFB picks and CFB predictions below as you enjoy the Week 0 college football action. 

 

 

 

Iowa State vs. Kansas State Prediction: Saturday, August 23rd

The 2025 college football season kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, this Saturday with a Big 12 conference game. It’s also a matchup between ranked teams in the Preseason AP Top 25 as No. 22 Iowa State takes on No. 17 Kansas State. Let’s get some action on the first game of the Week 0 slate. 

Iowa State is coming off its best season in school history with an 11-3 record and a conference title game appearance. Despite last year’s success, though, the Cyclones’ preseason win total is set at just 7.5 with some regression expected. As for Kansas State, it’s the betting favorite to win the Big 12 at some sportsbooks following a 9-4 season.  

Iowa State comes in with uncertainty on offense. Yes, Rocco Becht is back for his third season as the starting quarterback. However, the Cyclones lost their top two receivers from last year in Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. Both were 1,000-yard guys in 2024 and combined to account for 66% of the offense’s receiving yards. They were also second and third-round picks in this past NFL Draft. 

It’s not an ideal situation for an ISU offense that was asking Becht to throw it 35-40 times per game last year. The passing game may take a week or two to get going as it replaces a pair of NFL-bound wideouts. Becht is a talented and experienced QB, but his supporting cast is unproven and a downgrade from last season. 

As a result, the Cyclones will likely try to lean on the run more in this opener. Well, Kansas State ranked 28th nationally and 2nd in the Big 12 in rush defense last season. The Wildcats’ run D is expected to be good again this year and will force Becht to beat them through the air. Plus, passing success may be tough to come by as the Dublin weather forecast calls for cooler, gusty conditions and a possible rain shower. 

On the other side, Kansas State’s offense is built on a strong run game led by dual-threat QB Avery Johnson. His legs and real rushing threat will be a difference-maker in this game. Top running back Dylan Edwards, who flashed in a change-of-pace role last year, gives the Wildcats a dangerous 1-2 punch in the backfield. 

Kansas State’s run offense should set the tone here. Iowa State was bad against the run last season, allowing 5.35 yards per carry (126th in FBS) and 188.4 rush yards per game (110th). The unit could be exploited by Johnson and Edwards early and often. Plus, ISU had to replace a few key contributors on defense this offseason. 

Furthermore, Kansas State enters with a key motivational revenge factor. The ‘Cats lost on the road at Iowa State in the regular-season finale a year ago. Both teams had a chance to go to the Big 12 title game in 2024, but it was the Cyclones who narrowly got there over K-State. 

 

 


 

Idaho State vs. UNLV Prediction: Saturday, August 23rd

Let’s now turn our attention to Saturday afternoon’s matchup between Idaho State and UNLV. This game features the highest projected point total on the Week 0 slate, and we’re banking on a high-scoring contest. 

UNLV went 11-3 last year and hired Dan Mullen this offseason as the new head coach. The former Florida and Mississippi State coach is expected to bring a productive and proven offensive system to town. The Rebels averaged 35.4 PPG last year (15th in FBS) and should score plenty again this season. 

One of the big storylines for UNLV is its ongoing quarterback competition. The Rebels have yet to name a starter between Michigan transfer Alex Orji and Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea. Mullens has said that both will play in this season opener, which is good news for the over. 

With large favorites who are expected to win comfortably, like UNLV here, there’s always concern about those teams taking a foot off the gas in the second half and the fourth quarter. That won’t be the case for the Rebels, who still have to sort out that QB competition. Both Orji and Colandrea will be running with the starting offense and looking to ball out. 

Mullen has a history of offensive success with running QBs, and Orji is a real dual-threat talent. UNLV can gash the Idaho State defense with Orji running a zone-read attack. Idaho State ranked 121st nationally in rush defense last season in the FCS. The Bengals also had to replace their entire starting defensive line from last year. 

As for Colandrea, he flashed some upside at Virginia as a playmaker with above-average passing chops. He gives the Rebels a different skillset at QB than Orji, but he should also have success against an FCS-level defense. 

Even if UNLV gets up big early, it should have every incentive to run its offense deep into the second half. The quarterback competition and other starting jobs need to be sorted out before playing on the road next week and then facing UCLA in two weeks. Plus, Mullen will likely want to post a big total in his first game coaching since 2021. 

The only concern is whether or not Idaho State can add enough to the total. Well, we have reasons for optimism. The Bengals have a solid quarterback in Jordan Cooke, who was the starter two years ago before missing last year with an injury. Idaho State also has some solid talent at wide receiver. 

Idaho State also runs a pass-first offense and should be throwing plenty. As three-score underdogs, the Bengals will likely be chucking it around while trailing anyway. As for UNLV’s defense, it had to replace the majority of last year’s contributors and welcomes in a new defensive coordinator. There may be some growing pains on that side of the ball. 

 

 


 

Best CFB Prop Bets & Other Picks: Saturday, 8/23

 

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