Week 0 - The Call Sheet
College football is officially back. We made it, y'all.
We made it, y’all. The long, cold winter is over, and the longer, hotter summer will soon feel like a distant memory.
COLLEGE. FOOTBALL. IS. BACK.
We can collectively stop watching reruns from the 2024 season. We can stop spending Saturdays by the pool. And we can finally stop pretending to care what’s happening in random NFL preseason games.
Talkin’ season is over, and we finally have some real-deal football to discuss. I couldn’t be happier.
Now that the season is here, let me give you a rundown of what to expect from Three-Point Stance throughout the season.
Every Thursday, you’ll receive The Call Sheet. Consider this your pre-Saturday primer. The Call Sheet will include:
The 5-Wide: A look ahead to five (or more) games you won’t want to miss.
The Brent Musberger Gambling Guide: A peek at my gambling picks of the week.
Every Sunday, you’ll receive Sunday Storylines. Consider this your rundown of all the weekend’s action. Sunday Storylines will include:
Instant Replay: Lots of thoughts and observations from Saturday’s action.
The Brent Musberger Gambling Guide: A review of my picks of the week.
Alright, enough explaining. Let’s take a look at our Week 0 slate.
5-Wide
The 5 games you’re not gonna wanna miss this weekend.
Iowa State vs. Kansas State
The 2025 matchup between Iowa State and Kansas State is the fourth edition of the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, and the 10th time two college football teams will square off on Irish soil. Saturday’s contest will be Iowa State’s inaugural international college football game, while this will be just the second time the Wildcats have played outside of the United States.
For the uninitiated, the annual Iowa State-Kansas State matchup is known to many as “Farmageddon”, an ode to the agricultural roots of the land-grant universities. The rivalry dates back to 1917 and and this particular matchup will be the 109th rendition of the game. Iowa State owns the all-time record at 54-50-4, but Kansas State is 26-8 since 1989.
Iowa State enters the new season fresh off a school-record 11 wins in 2024, which included a berth in the Big 12 Championship Game. The Cyclones lost that game to eventual College Football Playoff darling Arizona State, but did go on to win the Poptarts Bowl. Some might say that win was the school’s most impressive feat from a decorated season.
The Cyclones return 12 players from the 2024 team, chief among them being quarterback Rocco Becht. Becht returns, having thrown for 6,600 yards and 48 touchdowns since arriving in Ames. Becht was good last season, but he completed under 60% of his passes, a figure he’ll surely like to improve upon in 2025.
Along with Becht, the Cyclones return a strong one-two punch at the running back position with Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III. In 2024, Hansen had 13 rushing touchdowns, but Sama III is the home run threat. Iowa State also returns 106 starts on the offensive line.
For all the good this offense returns, there are question marks on the outside, notably at the wide receiver position. The Cyclones lost passcatchers Jaylin Noel and Jayden Higgins to the NFL. Fans in Ames are hopeful that UCF transfer Xavier Townsend and ECU transfer Chase Sowell can fill that departing production.
Speaking of question marks, the defense is a big one. Last year’s unit had a ton of injuries and will need to stay much healthier this time around if the Cyclones hope to make another push in the Big 12. Nose guard Domonique Orange is one to watch. He’s one of the more talented NGs in the country and should anchor this group through the middle. Iowa State will need to cause more havoc this season, as the defensive unit generated just 17 sacks across 14 games last season.
Kansas State enters the game fresh off a 9-4 2024 season, where the Wildcats started fast but lost three of their last four regular-season games.
Quarterback Avery Johnson is back for Year 2 as QB1. Last year, he finished with over 2,700 passing yards and a school-record 25 passing touchdowns. He also chipped in 605 rushing yards and seven touchdowns. The upside is there for Johnson, but consistency remains a work in progress. This team will likely go as far as he takes them.
On other parts of the offense, the Wildcats bring back running back Dylan Edwards. He and Joe Jackson should make up a solid running back tandem. Jayce Brown is back at receiver, but questions remain with that group.
Speaking of questions, how will the Kansas State offensive line hold up in 2025? This unit remains a work in progress. Rumors have also swirled that the presumptive starting left tackle had a “medical issue” in summer workouts. It remains to be seen if he’s available to go for Week 0.
On the other side of the ball, Kansas State has arguably the best defensive line in the Big 12, led by Tobi Osunsanmi. Austin Romaine also might be the best linebacker in the Big 12. The secondary, however, is a different story. Safety VJ Paine is back, but that group is littered with question marks. The Wildcats will need young guys and transfers to step up.
Keys to the Game
From where I sit, this game will be decided both on the line of scrimmage and in the secondary.
If Kansas State’s offensive line can hold up, much less flourish, I think the Wildcats have a good chance of winning comfortably. Iowa State will surely look to target the inexperienced o-line group. Orange will be a handful up the middle, but if Kansas State can stand strong, I’m betting Avery Johnson and Dylan Edwards can make some hay against an Iowa State defense that struggled to create havoc or pressure the quarterback a year ago.
On the flip side, my eyes are immediately drawn to the matchup between Kansas State’s inexperienced secondary versus Iowa State’s new-look receiving core. I’m bullish that ECU transfer Chase Sowell is going to be a capital-D DUDE for the Cyclones, and I’m curious to see how the Wildcats can cope. We’ve seen Becht put up monster games. I’m sure head coach Matt Campbell will look to exploit this matchup.
Final Verdict
I’m bullish on Chris Kleiman’s group this year and have gone so far as to pick them as a third-place finisher in the topsy-turvy Big 12 Conference. This is a monster game for both teams, but I’m rolling with Kansas State to win.
I suspect this game to be close-ish, however. Seven of the last 10 games between these two teams have been decided by one possession.
Give me the Wildcats. EMAW.
Fresno State vs. Kansas
Fresno State enters the game fresh off a 6-7 record in 2024, where the Bulldogs lost three of their last four regular-season games. New head coach Matt Entz comes in from one year at USC and a previous tenure as head coach at FCS North Dakota State, where he won a pair of national titles.
Let’s start at the quarterback position. Former signal-caller Mikey Keane bolted for Michigan, and in steps E.J. Warner (son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner), who was previously a starter at Temple and Rice. On offense, Fresno State brings back a pair of running backs and largely new wide receiver and offensive line rooms.
On defense, the team is littered with transfers. Fresno State should have some talent up the middle on the defensive line and a few solid defensive backs.
Kansas enters this matchup after an exceptionally strong close to the 2024 season. The story of last season was one-score losses, in which the Jayhawks had five. If KU can reverse course in close games, it wouldn’t be shocking to see this group make some noise in the Big 12.
Quarterback Jalon Daniels returns after a strong close to last season. When healthy, he’s one of the most exciting and best quarterbacks in the conference. Running back Devin Neal is off to the NFL, but Daniel Hishaw Jr. is back and out for blood.
Former OC Jeff Grimes left for Wisconsin, which led to head coach Lance Leipold appointing co-OCs Jim Zebrowski and Matt Lubick. The pairing is expected to emulate Andy Kotelnicki’s offense from a few years ago, which is great news for Jayhawks fans.
The defense is a bit of a wild card. The defensive line is a point of strength, with plenty of newcomers in other positions. If the transfers up front hit, that group could be good enough to make this unit pretty solid.
Keys to the Game
This game starts and stops with the KU offense. If Daniels and Hishaw Jr. can get going, I don’t see much wiggle room for the Fresno State defense. Injuries are always a concern with Daniels, but if he’s healthy, he’ll likely have a nice day.
Generally speaking, I expect Fresno State to emulate those NDSU offenses and pound the rock. KU’s defensive line will need to be ready to hunker down and stop the run.
Final Verdict
Matt Entz will need time to mold this Fresno State program to his liking. Lance Leipold’s group is primed and ready to get off to a hot start, and I like the Jayhawks by a sizable margin.
Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky
New head coach Phil Longo returns to where he was the offensive coordinator from 2014-2016 after a failed stint under Luke Fickell at Wisconsin. He’s expected to bring his signature Air Raid system to a program that won 10 games in 2024.
At quarterback, it’s the expectation that returner Hunter Watson will be QB1. Last season, he had 12 passing touchdowns and nine rushing touchdowns. The Bearkats return two of their top five pass catchers from last season, and that wide receiver room should be a position of strength.
Up front, four offensive linemen who got reps last season return. They’ll need to integrate some transfers to get through a long season, though.
The defense is a big question mark. That side of the ball will be led by a bunch of former North Texas staffers and will include a ton of transfers. Defenses paired with Longo offenses typically give up lots of points due to his up-tempo style.
Across the field, Western Kentucky enters the game with seventh-year head coach Tyson Helton, who pulled off another OC-QB swoop, this time with former Abilene Christian offensive coordinator Rick Bowie and quarterback Maverick McIvor.
Last season, McIvor had 3,828 passing yards and 30 touchdowns. Hilltoppers fans are hoping the two slot in nicely, and this offense can hit the ground running.
Despite reaching the C-USA title game last season, this team was pillaged by the transfer portal and will need to integrate a ton of new faces.
Redshirt junior wide receiver K.D. Hutchinson is back and had a good 2024. To add to that room, WKU added former FCS All-American Matthew Henry from Western Illinois.
The defense lost former defensive coordinator Tyson Summers to Colorado State, so in steps co-DCs Da’Von Brown and Davis Merritt. The portal churn was real for this unit, as they lost their top 12 tacklers from last season.
The Hilltoppers should be formidable once again, and were picked to finish 2nd in the conference by Athlon Magazine.
Keys to the Game
I suspect we’ll see some fireworks. I’m betting on both offenses hitting the ground running. It might be all about which team can get a few stops down the stretch.
Final Verdict
There’s a lot of new for both teams, but I’m inclined to think that WKU (a potential conference title-caliber team) will start the season off on a good note. I’d probably consider taking the over in this game, depending on the number.
Stanford vs. Hawaii
Stanford had an eventful offseason. Troy Taylor was fired after back-to-back 3-9 seasons and an investigation involving the treatment of female staffers. Former NFL quarterback Andrew Luck rose to power as Stanford GM and hired his old head coach, Frank Reich, as the new head man in charge.
The Cardinal lost a lot to the portal, including EDGE David Bailey, quarterback Ashton Daniels and wide receiver Emmett Mosely V, etc.
Stanford did make a few key acquisitions, including wide receiver CJ Williams (Wisconsin), running back Tuna Altahir (EWU) and offensive lineman Niki Prongos.
Sixth-year senior quarterback Ben Gulbranson is expected to be QB1 entering the season, after beating out freshman Elijah Bown. The offense also has a few guys back that should split carries.
On defense, the Cardinal have some solid depth at linebacker and up front, and a lot of new faces in the secondary.
Across the field, Hawaii head coach Timmy Chang returns after three difficult seasons at the helm. Sophomore quarterback Micah Alejado returns after a fun 2024 season where he added some serious pop to the offense. His best showing came in the season finale, where he finished with a 469-yard game.
Last year, the Rainbow Warriors had a horrifically bad rushing attack. That will need to improve in 2025.
On the outside, wide receiver Pofele Ashlock returns, two years removed from a Freshman All-American season two years ago. He was hurt most of last season.
On defense, most of the secondary is back. There are a lot of new guys across the board elsewhere.
Keys to the Game
I don’t know what to expect from Stanford, which many are expecting to be arguably the worst team in the Power 5.
I suspect Hawaii’s passing game will get going, and the Cardinal will have a hard time adjusting. I have no idea what to realistically expect from Frank Reich’s first game at the helm.
Final Verdict
I think Hawaii flirts with a bowl game this year. If the Rainbow Warriors hope to do so, they’ll need to take care of business against a weird Stanford team. Give me Timmy Chang’s boys.
Idaho State vs. UNLV
UNLV received a jolt of life this past offseason with the hiring of former Florida head coach Dan Mullen. Mullen is back on the sidelines after a few years at ESPN, and is hoping to lead the Runnin’ Rebels back to the top of the Mountain West.
Early indications are that UNLV might split quarterback reps between former UVA quarterback Anthony Colandrea and former Michigan signal-caller Alex Orji. Splitting reps would make a lot of sense right out of the gate, especially considering Orji’s running abilities.
Second team All-Mountain West running back Jai’Den Thomas returns after over 900 yards in 2024. The Runnin’ Rebels also hit the portal and brought back a few high-level receivers in Troy Omeire from Arizona State and JoJo Earle from TCU.
The offensive line had to be rebuilt, but it does include the FCS Rimington Award winner from Chattanooga.
The defense also lost a lot of guys from last year’s team. All in all, though, this team should be ready to compete for a Mountain West title and make a third-straight Mountain West title game appearance.
Keys to the Game
I’m pretty curious to see how the quarterback situation shakes out. Colandrea has a fun upside, but he turned the ball over a ton last season. Orji is good on the ground, but he struggled passing at Michigan.
Final Verdict
UNLV should win comfortably. No need to overthink this one.
The Brent Musburger Gambling Guide
My official locks of the week. (Lines are locked in at the time of writing)
Iowa State vs. (-3) Kansas State - EMAW, let’s ride.