College Football Week 0 Odds, Lines, Spreads & Schedule

• College football returns Saturday, August 23 with five Week 0 games
• Kansas State and Iowa State kick things off with a Big 12 showdown in Dublin, Ireland
• Read below for full CFB Week 0 odds, spreads, lines and schedule

The wait is over. College football kicks off Saturday with five Week 0 games, including a Big 12 battle overseas and several coaches making their debuts.

Kansas State and Iowa State headline the day with a noon ET kickoff from Dublin’s Aviva Stadium. The Wildcats enter as 3.5-point favorites in what could be an early preview of the Big 12 title race. Both teams have conference championship hopes, and this game matters.

Back stateside, Dan Mullen begins his UNLV era against Idaho State. The former Florida coach inherited a program picked second in the Mountain West preseason poll and brought in over 20 Power Four transfers. UNLV is laying 25.5 points in what should be a tune-up before conference play.

College Football Week 0 Odds & Schedule

All odds as of August 8 at FanDuel Sportsbook. Check out the top football betting apps ahead of the 2025-26 CFB season.

Iowa State vs Kansas State Odds & Analysis

Kansas State and Iowa State meet in the first-ever Big 12 game played in Ireland. The rivals haven’t opened a season against each other before, making this overseas clash even more special.

The Cyclones are coming off their best season with 11 wins and a Big 12 title game appearance. Junior quarterback Rocco Becht returns after throwing for 3,505 yards and 25 touchdowns last year. While he lost Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to the NFL, transfers Chase Sowell (East Carolina) and Xavier Townsend (UCF) will help fill the void.

Kansas State counters with dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson, who passed for 2,712 yards and ran for 605 more in 2024. The Wildcats also made a splash by landing five-star tight end Linkon Cure, their first-ever five-star signee. He’s expected to make an immediate impact.

The betting line has moved toward Iowa State, with early money shifting the Cyclones from +3.5 to +3 at multiple books. They’ve won four of the last five meetings against K-State. The total sits at 49.5, suggesting a defensive battle in Dublin. Over 22,000 American fans are expected to travel, while another 20,000 tickets were sold in Ireland.

Dan Mullen’s UNLV Favored in Week 0 Odds

Dan Mullen’s UNLV debut should be a comfortable one. The Rebels are 25.5-point favorites over Idaho State, and that line actually feels light considering the talent gap.

The former Florida and Mississippi State coach revamped the roster with over 20 Power Four transfers, including defensive backs Jake Pope and Denver Harris. Michigan transfer Alex Orji and Virginia’s Anthony Colandrea are competing for the starting quarterback position.

Idaho State showed improvement last year under second-year coach Cody Hawkins, going 5-7 after previous one-win seasons. But this is a massive step up in competition. The Bengals will lean on quarterback Hunter Hays and receiver Cato Janes, though they’ll need near-perfect execution to keep it respectable.

The total of 63.5 is the highest on the Week 0 board. UNLV’s new-look offense under Mullen could put up points in bunches against an FCS defense. The Rebels were picked second in the Mountain West preseason poll, and this game should show why.

Kansas vs Fresno State Betting Line

Kansas unveils its renovated David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium against Fresno State. The Jayhawks are 13.5-point favorites as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 5-7 season.

Sixth-year quarterback Jalon Daniels returns for his final season. Once a dark-horse Heisman candidate, Daniels struggled last year with 2,454 yards, 14 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He needs to recapture his 2022 form for Kansas to compete in the Big 12.

The Jayhawks lost all-time leading rusher Devin Neal but reloaded through the portal. They added Iowa transfer Leshon Williams (821 yards in 2023) and Alabama speedster Emmanuel Henderson Jr. at receiver. Kansas returns only three offensive starters, so chemistry will be key early.

Fresno State hired Matt Entz after he won two FCS national titles at North Dakota State. The Bulldogs bring in Temple transfer E.J. Warner at quarterback – yes, Kurt Warner’s son. Warner has led his conference in interceptions three straight years, so Kansas’ secondary could feast if he forces throws.

The total sits at 50.5, and this feels like an under. Both teams have new pieces on offense, and Week 0 games often feature sloppy play. Kansas should win comfortably at home, but points might be at a premium.

Conference USA Kicks Off Early

Western Kentucky hosts Sam Houston in a rare Week 0 conference game. The Hilltoppers are 9.5-point favorites after going 8-6 last season.

Sam Houston stunned everyone with a 10-3 record in 2024, including a bowl win. But they lost coach K.C. Keeler and every defensive starter from that team. New coach Phil Longo inherits a completely rebuilt defense with eight transfers projected to start.

The Bearkats do return dual-threat quarterback Hunter Watson, who accounted for 21 total touchdowns last year. He’ll work behind four returning offensive line starters and has reliable targets in Qua’Vez Humphreys and Michael Phoenix, who combined for 15 receiving touchdowns.

Western Kentucky brought in Abilene Christian transfer Maverick McIvor at quarterback. The Hilltoppers should have enough firepower to cover, especially with Sam Houston breaking in an entirely new defense. The total of 60.5 suggests points will flow in Bowling Green.

Power Five Underdog in Paradise

Stanford visits Hawaii as a 1.5-point underdog in the Week 0 nightcap. Yes, you read that right – a Power Five team is getting points against a Mountain West squad.

The Cardinal are in complete disarray. They fired coach Troy Taylor in March amid misconduct allegations and hired former NFL coach Frank Reich as interim head coach. Stanford went 3-9 last year and lost numerous players to the portal during the chaos.

Redshirt freshman Elijah Brown takes over at quarterback after minimal action last year (274 yards, 2 TD, 3 INT). The Cardinal allowed 36.1 points per game last season and lost most of their defensive contributors.

Hawaii returns 14 starters from a 5-8 team and should capitalize on Stanford’s turmoil. Redshirt freshman quarterback Micah Alejado completed 70% of his passes for 585 yards and 6 touchdowns with no picks in limited action. He’ll throw to one of the Mountain West’s best receiving duos in Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle.

The Warriors’ home-field advantage and Stanford’s dysfunction make Hawaii the right side here. The Cardinal face a 5-hour flight and an interim coach who’s had minimal time to prepare. Hawaii should win straight up.