Week 0 of the college football season gives us a chance to wet our whistles and enjoy some meaningful football for the first time in seven months.
While there may be no Texas vs. Ohio State-type games, there are a handful of matchups that have spreads of less than two touchdowns, and a few more that should be close throughout.
Find out which teams I'm backing in my NCAAF picks and college football picks against the spread for Saturday, August 23.
College football picks against the spread for Week 0
| Matchup | Pick |
|---|---|
 Iowa State vs  Kansas State |
-3.5 -106 |
 Idaho State vs  UNLV |
-27.5 -112 |
 Fresno State vs  Kansas |
+13.5 -110 |
 Sam Houston State vs  Western Kentucky |
+10.5 -112 |
 Stanford vs  Hawaii |
-2.5 -105 |
Lines courtesy of FanDuel as of 8-22
Expert Week 0 CFB ATS picks
Iowa State vs. Kansas State: Kansas State -3.5 (-106)
Avery Johnson is a dual-threat QB who is accurate and can beat you with his legs while extending plays. He’s one year older, and with a year of experience under his belt, I fully expect him to take a step forward and elevate his game to the next level.
Iowa State will tie its hopes to Rocco Becht, who’s coming off a 3,500-yard passing season, but the loss of its two top receivers will put the offense in a bind.
With a one-dimensional offense and Kansas State boasting a solid front seven, I just don’t believe we’ll see the Cyclones move the ball and score enough points to win this game.
Idaho State vs. UNLV: UNLV -27.5 (-112)
I've got UNLV laying -26.5 points over Idaho State, and I like them to cover this spread.
They are bigger, stronger, faster, and more athletic, and I expect them to pitch a shutout here against an FCS side unlisted to win the FCS title.
Fresno State vs. Kansas: Fresno State +13.5 (-110)
I like Fresno State to keep things close.
Jalon Daniels should be able to elevate his game for the Kansas Jayhawks, but the Bulldogs have enough on defense to limit the Jayhawks’ new-look receivers. Their quarterback is also reliable enough to keep the ball moving against a defense missing key pieces in the trenches.
The backdoor is wide open for a Fresno State cover at +13.5.
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Sam Houston vs. Western Kentucky: Sam Houston +10.5 (-112)
Give me the points with the Sam Houston Bearkats at +10.5. They're breaking in a new coach and lost both their top receiver and running back, but Western Kentucky couldn’t stop a nose bleed last year, and I don’t see it taking a massive step forward this year.
This game will come down to the wire, so take the +10.5 with Sam Houston
Stanford vs. Hawaii: Hawaii -2.5 (-105)
The Stanford defense is not built to slow opposing offenses down, so if Hawaii can do its thing on home turf and put up 24+ points, this should be a going-away win for the Rainbow Warriors.
Micah Alejado is a promising talent who should help take this passing attack to the next level.
Considering the Rainbow Warriors have covered in four of their last five and went 4-0-1 ATS in their last five at Aloha Stadium, I think this is the right bet.
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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