No fanbase in college football is more eager for a true home game than the Kansas Jayhawks faithful.
After a full season of playing in Kansas City due to stadium renovations, the Jayhawks are finally back at The Booth, where 47,000 fans are ready to pack the stands for what looks like a favorable matchup against Fresno State.
My Fresno State vs. Kansas predictions point to a Jayhawks rout, fueled in part by a home crowd hungry for a show.
Find out more in our college football picks for Saturday, August 23.
Fresno State vs Kansas prediction
Fresno State vs Kansas best bet: Kansas -13.5 (-114)
Kansas went a putrid 1-5 in one-score games last season, undone largely by turnovers.
Those turnovers began with quarterback Jalon Daniels more often than not, throwing eight interceptions in the first five games of the season, three of those being one-score losses.
But as Daniels regained some of his 2022-23 form, so did the Jayhawks. In the five games heading into the season finale, Daniels threw seven touchdowns against just two interceptions, pushing Kansas to a 4-1 record.
While the Jayhawks began the year 0-6 against the spread, they went 5-0 ATS in that stretch.
As Daniels goes, so goes Kansas.
His 2024 struggles could be, at least in part, attributable to a change at offensive coordinator, struggling to find the same week-to-week communication with Jeff Grimes that he previously had with Andy Kotelnicki. New offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski has worked with Daniels for four years.
Expect Daniels to return to his most explosive form, the kind we saw as Kansas pondered a bowl game in 2024. That explosive form should exploit Fresno State’s extensive roster turnover.
Fresno State vs Kansas same-game parlay
Looking from one season to the next is rarely a proper handicap in college football, but note that Daniels threw for more than 200 yards and at least two touchdowns in three of his final seven games last season, even as Kansas struggled.
And in two of those three games, the Jayhawks covered the spread as the Overs cashed. As Daniels goes, so goes Kansas.
Our deep-ball SGP: Damn, Daniels!
Doubting E.J. Warner is not so much doubt in him as it is recognition that Fresno State first-year head coach Matt Entz is going to commit much of his FBS debut season to offensive line hopes and a rushing game.
The former North Dakota State head coach prefers physical football, and trusting it in Lawrence will give the Bulldogs their best hope of shortening the game and staying within a reasonable distance of Kansas.
Fresno State vs Kansas game predictions
Fresno State vs Kansas moneyline prediction
Fresno State has a hefty rebuild ahead of it. The 6-7 record was not atrocious, but the entire 2024 season was spent adrift while Tim Skipper served as interim head coach. Thus, the Bulldogs rank No. 112 in the country in returning production with just 41% back in the fold.
All of which is simply to say, do not expect Fresno State to provide a Week 0 shocker.
Fresno State vs Kansas spread prediction
Kansas’s early-season woes last year were quite real and deserved criticism. However, losing the turnover margin by six in the first three games cost the Jayhawks two wins.
In both instances, a bit better ball protection would likely have gotten Kansas an ATS win as well as an outright one.
As Fresno State returns just three defensive starters amid this program reset, those Jayhawk turnover worries should lessen for at least one week, and without that concern, Kansas’s offense should dictate this game.
Fresno State vs Kansas Over/Under prediction
If this Week 0 matchup falls short of its total of 50.5, it will be because Fresno State’s offense is even more woeful than expected.
More likely, Kansas will keep pressing to boost Daniels’s confidence in his new receivers while the defense eases up once enjoying a hefty lead.
Fresno State vs Kansas odds
- Fresno State vs. Kansas spread: Kansas -13.5
- Fresno State vs. Kansas moneyline: Fresno State +420, Kansas -580
- Fresno State vs. Kansas Over/Under: 50.5
Fresno State vs Kansas betting trend to know
In the last three season openers, Kansas has scored at least 48 points in each game. Find more college football betting trends for Fresno State vs Kansas State.
How to watch Fresno State vs Kansas
| Location | David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, Lawrence, KS |
| Date | Saturday, August 23, 2025 |
| Kickoff | 6:30 p.m. ET |
| TV | FOX |
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Fresno State vs Kansas weather
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Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
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