Fresno State vs Kansas NCAAF Week Zero Preview and Prediction August 23, 2025
Posted 12 months ago | Betting Previews and Predictions, NCAAF | 0 comments
Fresno State vs Kansas August 23, 2025 @ Lawrence KS
Opening Betting Odds
Spread: KAN -14 / FRES +14
Moneyline: N/A
Total: 52.5
Preview
The Jayhawks were projected to be a contender in the BIG12 last year, but they lost five of their first six games and finished with a losing record. They come into 2025 with high expectations once again, and they host Fresno State in their season opener.
The Bulldogs won six games last year, and played in a bowl game. With a new head coach and a new quarterback the Bulldogs will be a bit of a wild car, but it might be a mistake to think this is going to be a cakewalk for Kansas.
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Fresno State
- 6-7 Overall in 2024
- 4-3 in the MW in 2024
- 6-6-1 ATS in 2024
The Bulldogs lost head coach Jeff Tedford just before the start of last season as he was forced to retire due to health issues. They made a solid hire bringing in Matt Entz this offseason. He was 60-11 at North Dakota State from 2019-23.
They also have a new quarterback, bringing in EJ Warner from Rice. Warner threw for 2,710 yards, 17 touchdowns and 13 interceptions with the Owls last year. He has plenty of experience entering his fourth season as a starter.
Fresno State ranked first in the Mountain West allowing just 4.9 yards per play last season. With Entz taking over it’s expected that the defense will be solid again in 2025.
Kansas
- 5-7 Overall in 2024
- 4-5 in the BIG12 in 2024
- 5-7 ATS in 2024
The Jayhawks were on the wrong side of a lot of close games last year. The consensus is that they were likely better than their record would indicate. With Jalon Daniels back at quarterback Vegas has their season win total priced at 7.5.
Their leading rusher Devin Neal moved on to the NFL, but Daniel Hishaw Jr. is back after averaging 5.8 yards per carry last season. The offensive line appears to be in good shape, and this has the potential to be one of the better offenses in the BIG12.
The defensive line is loaded with talent, and incoming transfers will bolster the secondary and linebacking corps.
Relevant Trends
- The Jayhawks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 overall.
- The Under is 4-1 in the Jayhawks last 5 overall.
- The Bulldogs are 3-7 ATS in their last 10 overall.
- The Under is 4-1-1 in the Bulldogs last 6 road games.
- The Jayhawks are 1-5 SU in their last 6 road games.
PREDICTION: FRES 21 – KAN 28
The Jayhawks are a big favorite here, as they were at home versus UNLV last year. They lost 23-20 as a 9-point favorite against the Rebels, and they might find themselves in another battle with a Mountain West team that they are expected to dominate. This one might be closer than projected, and we might see a low score as both teams adjust to new personnel.
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