FOOTBALL IS OFFICALLY BACK THIS WEEK!!! We’ve battled through the pollen of Spring. We scratched and clawed our way through the monsoons of the early Summer. We have survived the excruciating heat of July and have landed safely into the loving embrace of College Football’s arms. Do not be the guy (or gal) who complains that Farmageddon is being played in Dublin – yes it sucks, but don’t let that bring your Week 0 down. Now, dry your eyes of the happy tears that have likely puddled your phone screen (or whatever apparatus you read this on), and let’s jump into Week 0 predictions!
Also, I am adding an additional section to each week’s games to include the Squad Blitz tip of the game – if you haven’t already, please download the SquadBlitz app and put the “Walk-On Redshirts” as your referral!
Brief Recap of Last Year
1. Kansas St. vs Iowa St. (Farmageddon) *Dublin, Ireland
Farmageddon will be taking place across the pond in Ireland (not happy about this, but at least we have football). Kansas St. returns star QB Avery Johnson and RB Donovan Edwards and is one of the eight teams that I have that can win the Big 12 this year. Iowa St. loses star wide receivers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins, but with Rocco Becht and RBs Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III the Cyclones will still be poised to compete for the Big 12 title. When picking the winner in this game, I came down to one thing, running the ball travels, and the Wildcats will be able to out pound the ground attack from Iowa St. Kansas St. takes Farmageddon and heals Ireland’s Football Famine.
Kansas St. 27 Iowa St. 20
Kansas St. -3.5
Under 49.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Kansas St.’s rush offense vs Iowa St.’s rush defense that allowed 5.35 ypc in 2024
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Iowa St.’s pass offense after losing their top pass-catchers – Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel.
2. Idaho St. at UNLV
UNLV will be fielding an entirely new coaching staff led by former TV personality and SEC coach Dan Mullen, along with a roster that is predicted to only have 5 returning rebels make the starting lineup. Luckily, they get the opportunity to kick off against an FCS Idaho St. team that fielded one of the worst defensive units in all off football (299th in points allowed). UNLV will probably carry their quarterback battle into week 1 between Virginia transfer Anthony Colandrea and Michigan transfer Alex Orji, but this will not keep UNLV from steamrolling the Bengals.
UNLV 54 Idaho St. 12
UNLV -22.5
Over 64.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – UNLV’s rushing offense against Idaho St.’s defense that is 299th in points allowed.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – UNLV’s defense against the 74th ranked offense of Idaho St. (you’d be ok starting UNLV’s defense but there could be better matchups out there)
3. Fresno St. at Kansas
If you’ve been listening to our show (The Walk-On Redshirts podcast) you’ll know that I have a new-found bias towards my Jayhawks, and it has nothing to do with Head Coach Lance Leipold coming on to our show for an interview. Biased and shameless plugs aside, I think this Kansas team could be a true competitor in the Big 12 and would not be shocked to see them in Arlington playing for the conference title this year. Quarterback, Jalon Daniels comes back to a team that lost 5 of 6 games by 11 points or less to cement his legacy as an all-time Kansas great. However, I think the running game, led by Daniel Hishaw and Leshon Williams, will be the heartbeat of this offense and Tight End, DeShawn Hanika, will be the lungs that puts air into this passing attack. Fresno St. is no joke, but I think the Jayhawks, opening their newly renovated stadium, will put a whoopin’ on the Bulldogs.
Kansas 38 Fresno St. 20
Kansas -12.5
Over 50.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Kansas rush offense – Jalon Daniels, Daniel Hishaw, and Leshon Williams…enough said.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Fresno St.’s rush defense having to face Kansas.
4. Sam Houston at Western Kentucky
The Maverick McIvor era is beginning at Western Kentucky, and in addition to his amazing name, the quarterback can really sling it, throwing for over 8,000 yards at FCS Abilene Christine before transferring to Hilltopper nation. However, it may be tough for McIvor to gadget his way out of the strength of Sam Houston and it’s defense that ranked 22nd nationally in total defense in 2024. The Bearkats do struggle offensively, ranking 99th in the country in 2024 so if they can’t stay on the field, that tough defense will struggle.
Western Kentucky 34 Sam Houston 10
Western Kentucky -10.5
Under 60.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Western Kentucky’s defense that ranked 9th in passing yards per game and 39th for total defense against the 99th ranked Sam Houston offense.
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Sam Houston’s passing offense that ranked 110thagainst Western Kentucky’s 9th ranked pass defense.
5. Stanford at Hawaii
Other than Redshirt Freshman QB, Micah Alejado and Redshirt Sophomore WR Jackson Harris, the Rainbow Warriors are going to field a roster full of upper classman (x5 Redshirt Juniors, x2 Seniors, x5 Redshirt Seniors). Meanwhile, over in California, Stanford is fielding a team and coaching staff of unknowns. Head Coach Troy Taylor was fired during the spring and has been replaced by interim coach, Frank Reich who has stated that he is coaching there until they can find a replacement. If there’s anything positive to say about Stanford, it’s that they have former Stanford great, Andrew Luck, as the General Manager there, and he has even taken it upon himself to go and recruit. That won’t help this year, but Stanford could be on the path to returning as a good college football team.
Hawaii 24 Stanford 20
Hawaii -2.5
Under 52.5
Squad Blitz Start Em’ – Hawaii’s passing offense against Stanford’s depleted defensive roster
Squad Blitz Sit Em’ – Stanford’s defense after losing 8 players to the transfer portal from the defense alone
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