2025 College Football Week 0 Preview - Games You Should Watch

It feels like just yesterday the Ohio State Buckeyes were hoisting the National Championship trophy after their thrilling victory over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Now, the wait is over—the 2025 college football season has officially arrived.

With last season’s debut of the 12-team College Football Playoff format, the sport reached new heights of drama and unpredictability. The big question looms: can the Buckeyes run it back, or will a new contender rise to claim the crown?

But before we dive into the chase for the title, we kick things off with Week 0, featuring five intriguing matchups. We've spotlighted the ones we believe are the most compelling—games that could set the tone for an unforgettable season.

#22 Iowa State AT #17 Kansas State (Dublin, Ireland)

If you're looking for a showdown between two high-level quarterbacks, this is the game to circle on your calendar.

Coming off an impressive 11–3 season, Matt Campbell’s Iowa State Cyclones enter 2025 as one of the frontrunners for the Big 12 title. At the heart of their success is junior quarterback Rocco Becht, who posted career highs last season with 3,505 passing yards and 25 touchdowns. Despite losing both of their 1,000-yard receivers—Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel—to the NFL, the Cyclones have reloaded through the transfer portal, adding Chase Sowell and Xavier Townsend to bring balance and explosiveness to their aerial attack. Keep an eye on 6'6" junior tight end Gabe Burkle, a potential X-factor who could emerge as Becht’s go-to target.

On the other side, Kansas State’s offense will be powered by dynamic dual-threat quarterback Avery Johnson. In 2024, Johnson threw for 2,712 yards and 25 touchdowns, while adding 605 rushing yards and 7 scores on the ground. As dangerous as Johnson is, the true game-breaker might be running back Dylan Edwards. Edwards etched his name into the record books last season with a jaw-dropping 196-yard, two-touchdown performance on just 18 carries against Rutgers.

Defensively, the Wildcats boast one of the strongest secondaries in the Big 12, anchored by senior safety VJ Payne, who earned All-Big 12 Honorable Mention honors last season. Complementing the back end is hard-hitting junior linebacker Austin Romaine, who racked up 96 tackles, two sacks, and three forced fumbles in 2024.

Fresno State At Kansas

For Kansas Jayhawks head coach Lance Leipold, another 5–7 season is the last thing he wants. But with key departures this offseason, the road ahead looks challenging.

Any hope for success begins with sixth-year senior quarterback Jalon Daniels. Once a Heisman Trophy contender, Daniels has seen his career hampered by injuries. If he can stay healthy and deliver consistent performances, the Jayhawks could surprise some skeptics.

The backfield faces a significant void following the departure of All-American running back Devin Neal to the NFL. Stepping into that role is super senior Daniel Hishaw Jr., who must hit the ground running to keep the offense afloat. At wide receiver, Daniels will lean on Alabama transfer Emmanuel Henderson Jr.—a talented but unproven weapon with just 199 career offensive snaps. Defensively, the Jayhawks will look to transfers Leshon Williams and Leroy Harris III to anchor the line, while second-year defensive back Jalen Todd will be a key figure in the secondary.

Don’t let Fresno State’s 6–7 record from last season fool you—this year’s Bulldogs are built to contend.

Their offense will revolve around a potent backfield trio: Bryson Donelson, Elijah Gilliam, and Johnathan Arceneaux. Donelson closed out 2024 with a surge, racking up 263 of his 462 rushing yards in the final three games. Gilliam led the team’s running backs with 466 yards and eight touchdowns, and while Donelson and Gilliam are expected to carry the bulk of the load, Arceneaux remains a valuable piece of the puzzle.

Defensively, Fresno State enters the season in rebuild mode but retains three of four starters in the secondary. Leading the charge is preseason All-Mountain West super senior Alzillion Hamilton, who earned honorable mention honors last year with 13 pass breakups, 52 tackles, a sack, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions. Adding firepower to the front seven is Arizona State transfer K’Vion Thunderbird, while senior edge rusher Korey Foreman and defensive lineman Jahzon Jacks are expected to be disruptive forces in the trenches.