My first bets: Early picks for Week 0 in college football - ESPN

College football is back!

After seven long months, the wait is finally over, and the 2025 season officially kicks off this weekend. Now, Week 0 isn't the buffet of matchups that we'll get in Week 1. Let's be real, it's more of a sampler plate, just a handful of games to hold us over.

For most bettors, this is a pass-and-wait situation until the board opens up next week. But if you're itching to get in early, there are a couple of angles worth a look. Here are two spots on the Week 0 slate that stand out.

Iowa State vs. Kansas State OVER 49.5

«Farmageddon» kicks off in Dublin, Ireland, and the mismatched dynamics jump off the page. Kansas State ranked second nationally in yards per rush attempt last season, and it wasn't just volume, it was explosiveness. Dylan Edwards averaged 7.38 yards per carry, third best in the Big 12, while Avery Johnson added another wrinkle, finishing 17th in the conference in rushing yards per game… as a quarterback. That's a problem for an Iowa State defense that ranked 84th in rushing success rate and is still breaking in a new-look defensive line.

Pick college football winners every week; compete for $100K in prizes. FREE to play! Make Your Picks

The Cyclones do return 12 starters from an 11-win team, with Rocco Becht steady at quarterback, but their biggest weakness, stopping the run, plays directly into K-State's greatest strength. On the flip side, Iowa State's passing attack lines up with the Wildcats' soft spot, a rebuilt secondary that allowed the sixth-most passing yards in the Big 12 last season, a potential edge for Becht now in his third year as a starter. I see points. In Dublin, «Farmageddon» feels less like a rock fight and more like a chance for both sides to harvest chunk