Week 0 Preview: Farmageddon, the Hilltoppers, Dan Mullen, Frank Reich, and more

College football is finally back. After months of transfer portal chaos, the coaching carousel, and preseason yapping, the first real games of 2025 are set to kick off in Week 0. It’s not the most exciting slate of the year, but it’s football that counts — and that’s all fans have been waiting for. A handful of teams get the spotlight all to themselves before the full schedule, including Kentucky-Toledo, launches next week. Still, Week 0 gives us the chance to finally see live action and meaningful football for the first time since January. Here’s what to watch this upcoming weekend:

The fourth Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin

College football is packing its bags for Ireland once again. Dublin’s Aviva Stadium will host a Week 0 matchup for the fourth straight year, this time pitting No. 17 Kansas State against No. 22 Iowa State. It’s a Big 12 clash across the pond, and the Irish crowd should get a good one. Both teams enter the season ranked with real conference title hopes.

The Aer Lingus Classic has turned into a fun tradition on the Week 0 calendar, drawing nearly 50,000 fans each of the last two years, from Florida State–Georgia Tech in 2024 to Notre Dame–Navy in 2023. Expect another mix of American tourists, curious locals, and plenty of Guinness flowing when the Wildcats and Cyclones kick off at noon ET on Saturday.

“Farmageddon” is a great nickname for a college football rivalry

Winners of four of five, Iowa State now holds a 54-50 lead over Kansas State in their all-time series spanning over 100 years. Together, the longtime rivals share one of the best nicknames in rivalry games. Their annual meeting is called “Farmageddon,” and this year, it’s being billed as “Irish Farmageddon” on the Emerald Isle.

21 Iowa State vs. 17 Kansas State (-3) – Aer Lingus College Football Classic in Dublin | 12 p.m. on ESPN

Boxing moved Dan Mullen’s UNLV debut

UNLV was supposed to host Idaho State on September 13. However, Canelo Alvarez and Terence Crawford needed Allegiant Stadium for a championship boxing match on that date, so the Week 2 college football matchup was moved to Week 0 to accommodate the heavyweights. The NCAA approved the scheduling change, which moves Dan Mullen’s UNLV debut up two weeks to this coming Saturday. Mullen, who hasn’t coached in five years, takes over a UNLV program with high expectations and an 11-3 record last season under Barry Odom.

Idaho State @ UNLV (-24.5) | 4 p.m.

Young Kurt Warner debuts for Fresno State

E.J. Warner, the son of NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Kurt Warner, is set to make his start as Fresno State’s quarterback on Saturday. The Bulldogs’ play at Kansas with Warner, who started 31 games at Temple and Rice, leading the way. With him, a new head coach in Matt Entz.

So proud of this young man… just keeps proving who he is!

1 scholarship out of HS… no P5 school would give him a chance then or since… has had to EARN starting spot everywhere he’s been… and now heads into his senior season #1 in FBS in passing yards (8800+) & pass yrds/game… https://t.co/ypVicuf9Z1

— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) August 11, 2025

Kansas has a shiny new toy on its side, too. The Jayhawks debut a new David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday, following a $450 million renovation.

Fresno State @ Kansas (-13) | 6:30 p.m. on FOX

Western Kentucky opens the season in Bowling Green

There is representation from the Bluegrass on the Week 0 slate. The Western Kentucky Hilltoppers open the season in Bowling Green, hosting Sam Houston in a Conference USA opening weekend clash. Western’s new high-octane offense looks to make a statement early, led by QB Maverick McIvor, who followed his high-scoring offensive coordinator from Abilene. They’re calling him “Dottie Pippen.”

Dottie Pippen aka @MaverickMcIvor #TopsUp https://t.co/eXIevi5nuA

— Coach Jarae Thurmond (@CoachThurm87) July 31, 2025

Sam Houston @ Western Kentucky (-10) | 7 p.m. on CBSSN

Conference favorites meet in the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff

North Carolina Central plays Southern in Atlanta in this year’s version of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff, a new Week 0 tradition for HBCUs. The 2025 game features a couple of contenders from their respective conferences. NC Central was picked to win the MEAC after three consecutive seasons with eight or more wins, while Southern led the SWAC in preseason first-place votes.

NC Central vs. Southern – MEAC/SWAC Challenge Kickoff in Atlanta | 7:30 p.m. on ABC

From the NFL to Stanford at Hawaii

Frank Reich needed a couple of years away from coaching after he was the NFL’s first head coach to get fired midseason in back-to-back years, first by the Cols in 2022, then the Panthers in 2023. Now, Reich leads the rebuild at Stanford, beginning with a trip across the Pacific to play at Hawaii. (A reminder: Stanford is in the Atlantic Coast Conference.) Reich is on a one-year deal as Stanford’s interim head coach.

Hawaii’s home opener kicks off at 1:30 p.m. local time, so it can be enjoyed in prime time on the East Coast. Typically, this would be a great After Dark game.

Stanford @ Hawaii (-2.5) | 7:30 p.m. on CBS

Week 0 may be short, but it’s our first real, meaningful college football of 2025. Enjoy it. The season kicks off in Lexington a week later.