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NFL Preseason Week 3 - early games
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Fearless Rick & Coin Flip NCAA Week 0 Early Games
All times Eastern
Saturday, August 23
22 Iowa State @ 17 Kansas State (-3.5, 50) 12:00 pm - First things first. All home teams are favored here in Week Zero, so there are likely to be a few upsets. The first college football game of the 2025 season has ranked opponents, which is a nice touch. Additionally, this is a conference game in the Big 12.
Iowa State finished tied with Arizona State for the best conference record (7-2) but lost in the championship to the Sun Devils, 45-19. They no doubt have their sights set on winning the conference this season and getting into the playoffs. They proved they were no fluke when they topped Miami, 42-41, in the Pop-Tarts Bowl (no really, it was called that).
In the meeting between K-State and Iowa State, the Cyclones came out on top of a 29-21 decision, but that game was played at Iowa State. This game is an annual match-up, one of the oldest in college football history.
K-State was only 5-4 in conference play, and finished 9-4 by defeating Rutgers in the Rate Bowl, 44-41.
Both teams return QBs that were productive in 2024, Rocco Becht for the Cyclones and Avery Johnson for the Wildcats. The difference may be on defense, especially late in the game, but this should be a close one. Taking the points may be a prudent path in what could be a real treat.
Coin Flip: Kansas State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cyclones 31 Wildcats 24
The Idaho State Bengals (FCS - Division 1-AA) went 5-7 and 3-5 in the Big Sky conference. This appears to be a tune-up game for the Rebels, who should win by a wide margin. Idaho State lost five games by 20 points or more and none of them were against ranked opponents, most were vs. FCS teams. Big difference in athletic ability here.
Coin Flip: Idaho State
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Rebels 52 Bengals 17
Kansas started the season 1-5 with close losses to Illinois, UNLV, West Virginia, Arizona State - all by four points or fewer. If they can take the next step forward in 2025, they will be an interesting team to watch.
Fresno State was mid-pack (4-3) in the Mountain West and didn’t play a very tough schedule. They were stuffed by UNLV, 59-14, in their worst loss of the season. Otherwise, the Bulldogs were capable of hanging in against teams of similar talent levels.
While Kansas should be able to control tempo here, the defense remains a question mark, so giving almost two TDs is a tough task.
Coin Flip: Kansas
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Jayhawks 31 Bulldogs 23
The difference was Western Kentucky’s non-con schedule which included losses to Alabama (63-0), James Madison (27-17, in the Boca Raton Bowl), and a 52-12 beatdown by Jack State in the conference championship. They did prevail against Eastern Kentucky (31-0) and Toledo (26-21). They buried Sam Houston, head-to-head, 31-14.
The Bearkats beat Rice, 34-14, Hawaii (31-13), Texas State (40-39) and won the New Orleans Bowl, 31-26, over Georgia Southern. The Non-con loss was 45-14 at UCF.
Given that the Hilltoppers return a veteran class, made use of the portal to buoy up their offense, had a tougher scedule, and played for the conference championship gives them the upper hand. Opening at home doesn’t hurt.
Coin Flip: Sam Houston
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Hilltoppers 35 Bearkats 21
While neither program has any goals beyond making it to a bowl game, the Cardinal admittedly will have a more difficult task, as they did last season. What may tell the story here are the non-conference losses to UCLA (16-13) and Washington State (42-10) by the Rainbow Warriors last year. Against Big 6 conferences, they just don’t stack up. Home field may be an edge, but Stanford has more talent at more key positions. Who plays QB for Stanford may prove the difference-maker.
Coin Flip: Hawaii
Fearless Rick’s Pick: Cardinal 27 Rainbow Warriors 17
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