After a long offseason filled with transfer portal drama, depth chart battles and endless speculation, College Football is finally back.
Week 0 may not be a full slate, but it serves as the appetizer before the feast – An amuse-bouche of games that kick off the new campaign and give fans their first taste of live action.
The spotlight this weekend shines brightest in Dublin, where the annual Aer Lingus College Football Classic doubles as the “Farmageddon” rivalry between the Big 12’s #22 Iowa State Cyclones and #17 Kansas State Wildcats.
But it’s not the only Week 0 contest worth watching. Kansas squares off with Fresno State, Western Kentucky hosts Sam Houston State and Stanford travels to Hawaii, all giving fans an early look at transfer additions, breakout candidates and how new rosters are gelling after months of change.
After months of “what ifs,” the speculation ends and the football begins.
Week 0 is here, and it’s time to see which best bets and devy fantasy football storylines will get the season rolling.
Related: 2025 Big 12 Conference Preview + Championship Odds, Picks & Predictions
2025 College Football Week 0 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines
Week 0 Game of the Week
Aviva Stadium, Dublin – Saturday, Aug. 23
Betting Odds: Kansas State -3.5 | Total: 49.5
College Football’s quirky, tradition-filled rivalry between Iowa State and Kansas State, affectionately known as “Farmageddon,” is heading overseas to Dublin.
While the transatlantic setting is unique, Devy fantasy football managers will be watching for a much different reason. The quarterback duel between two 2026 NFL draft-eligible signal-callers with very different skill sets.
Quarterback Duel: Avery Johnson vs. Rocco Becht
Avery Johnson (QB, Kansas State)
The Wildcats’ leader is a dynamic dual-threat quarterback whose acceleration and open-field vision make him a Campus 2 Canton (C2C) and College Fantasy Football (CFF) darling. Avery Johnson thrives on designed runs and extending plays outside the pocket. He excels at creating chunk gains with both his arm and legs.
His passing mechanics are still a work in progress, but his athletic upside is undeniable. Johnson will be looking to polish his intermediate accuracy in 2025 to elevate himself from a late-round Devy stash to a potential NFL riser.
Rocco Becht (QB, Iowa State)
Rocco Becht is a poised, timing-based passer who operates efficiently within structure. His strengths lie in pocket management, pre-snap reads and consistent ball placement.
While he lacks Johnson’s rushing threat, Becht brings a polished passing skill set that could translate well to the next level if he shows improved arm strength and mobility this season. He already owns the school record for consecutive games with a touchdown pass (18). He will be aiming to boost his downfield efficiency.
Both quarterbacks are strong C2C and CFF contributors. In Devy fantasy football formats, they’re likely to be targeted only in deep drafts unless 2025 turns into a breakout campaign.
Iowa State’s College Fantasy Football Depth: Reliable Weapons
Beyond Becht, the Cyclones have multiple fantasy-friendly contributors:
WR transfer from East Carolina Chase Sowell will need to step up as Iowa State’s WR1 in 2025 after the Cyclones lost both Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel. The pair accounted for 2,377 receiving yards last season. Sowell posted 34 receptions for 678 yards and three TDs in 2024. He is a route-running technician with reliable hands.
Carson Hansen is a power running back with good vision. In 2024, he logged 151 carries for 752 yards and 13 TDs, carving out a valuable role in the backfield rotation.
Abu Sama is the lightning to Hansen’s thunder. Sama brings explosive speed and totaled 587 rushing yards and two TDs on 124 carries last season, adding eight receptions for 58 yards, proving to be a big-play threat whenever he touches the ball.
This combination of steady volume and balanced offensive scheme makes Iowa State a CFF-friendly roster, even if the NFL upside is modest.
Kansas State’s Devy Wildcard: Lincoln Cure
The true wildcard in this matchup is Lincoln Cure, a five-star freshman tight end and the No. 30 overall prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings.
He enters college as the top-ranked tight end in his recruiting class, boasting an eye-catching receiving resumé with over 2,000 high school receiving yards and 20 yards per reception.
While tight ends traditionally develop slowly at the college level, Cure’s elite ball skills and downfield ability could force early usage.
The question is: Can he block well enough to stay on the field in year No. 1? If the answer is yes, he could immediately impact both the game and Devy fantasy football draft boards.
College Football Week 0 Betting & Prop Angles
With Kansas State favored by 3.5 and the total set at 49.5, oddsmakers are anticipating a moderately high-scoring affair.
Here’s how it breaks down from a betting perspective:
Why I’m Leaning Under 49.5
1. Historical Scoring in Farmageddon
Last year’s meeting: Iowa State 29-21 Kansas State (50 total points)
The Cyclones have averaged just 18 points per game historically in this rivalry.
2. Iowa State’s Clock-Eating Offense
Iowa State led the Big 12 in time of possession in 2024 at 31:58 per game, shortening games and limiting total plays.
3. Neutral-Site, Overseas Factor
Games abroad tend to start slow due to travel, disrupted practice schedules, and unfamiliar surroundings.
Verdict: I expect a competitive but methodical game, something like 24–20, which lands safely under the 49.5 total.
Prop Angles Worth Watching
- Avery Johnson Over 41.5 Rushing Yards – His legs are a consistent factor, and Iowa State’s defense has been more susceptible to mobile quarterbacks.
- Rocco Becht Over 228.5 Passing Yards – If K-State keys on the Cyclones’ running duo, Becht could surpass his yardage line through volume.
2025 Heisman Trophy Outlook
Here are the odds on the top five Heisman candidates heading into week 0. (Odds via Fanduel as of Aug. 18).
- Arch Manning (QB, Texas) | +700
- Garrett Nussmeier (QB, LSU) | +900
- Cade Klubnik (QB, Clemson) | +900
- Jeremiah Smith (WR, Ohio State) | +1200
- LaNorris Sellers (QB, South Carolina) | +1700
The latest Heisman Trophy betting odds show a mix of big-name quarterbacks and one standout wide receiver among the frontrunners.
Arch Manning (+700) leads the pack as Texas’ new starting quarterback, carrying both pedigree and hype into the 2025 season. Right behind him is Garrett Nussmeier (+900), who has the keys to LSU’s high-powered offense and Cade Klubnik (+900), Clemson’s veteran signal caller.
Klubnik’s rise has been particularly eye-catching. Back in January, he was priced at +1400, but steady backing and confidence in his senior-season breakout have pushed him up to joint-second favorite.
Rounding out the top five are Jeremiah Smith (+1200), the electrifying Ohio State wide receiver who is already being billed as the next Buckeye star and LaNorris Sellers (+1700), South Carolina’s dynamic dual-threat quarterback whose upside makes him a compelling dark-horse candidate.
In short, the early Heisman Trophy betting market is quarterback-heavy as usual. Still, momentum is clearly building behind Klubnik, and the bandwagon effect has shifted his odds into true contender territory.
Looking Ahead to Week 1
Once Week 0 is in the books, it’ll be full steam ahead into Week 1, where the season truly kicks into gear.
A packed slate of games awaits, with contenders stepping onto the field for the first time, rivalries reigniting and playoff hopes beginning to take shape.
The appetizer will be over, and it’ll be time for the main course of the College Football season.
Thanks for reading my article on “2025 College Football Week 0 Preview: Best Bets & Devy Fantasy Football Storylines”. For more Devy and College Fantasy Football content, follow me on Twitter/X @PoshplaysFF.
*Photo Credit: Scott Sewell – USA TODAY Sports*
