The EJ Warner era officially kicks off at Fresno State on Saturday as the Bulldogs travel to Kansas to face the Jayhawks in Week 0 action on FOX (6:30 p.m. ET).
Warner, the son of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner, was named the Bulldogs’ starter on Aug. 11. He replaces Mikey Keene, who transferred to Michigan. This is the third stop of Warner’s college career, and he had no problem putting up impressive numbers at his last two. He threw for more than 3,000 yards in both of his seasons at Temple and ranks No. 5 all-time at Rice after posting 2,710 passing yards last fall.
He’ll be supported this season by a talented pair of running backs: Elijah Gilliam and Bryson Donelson. But Warner will be throwing to a rebuilt group of receivers, led by Josiah Freeman.
Kansas is once again led by dynamic quarterback Jalon Daniels, and the Jayhawks’ defensive line may be one of the best in the Big 12.
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Fresno State At Kansas Betting Line
Kansas is a 13.5-point college football betting odds favorite, according to BetMGM, and the Over/Under is 50.5 points. The moneyline is +425 for Fresno State and -600 for Kansas.
Fresno State is 11-9 against the spread in its past 20 games as an underdog on the road. Kansas is 7-13 ATS in its past 20 games as the favorite at home.
Fresno State At Kansas Prediction
I predict Kansas wins 27-17.
Fresno State’s running game should be much improved this year, and the defense returns enough talent to be dangerous. But the Bulldogs still have plenty of unanswered questions.
Who will emerge among a new group of receivers? Can Warner better protect the ball after he threw at least 12 interceptions in each of the past three seasons?
This game should be a pretty good gauge of where the Bulldogs are at this point in the year, but Warner and company are going to have trouble moving the ball against a defensive front led by Dean Miller, DJ Withers, and Tommy Dunn Jr.
Idaho State At UNLV
How to watch: 4 p.m. ET Mountain West Network
Betting Line: UNLV is a 27.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 65.5 points.
Prediction: I predict UNLV wins 42-10. The Rebels are coming off back-to-back appearances in the Mountain West Championship. They hired an experienced, savvy head coach in Dan Mullen, and they filled their roster with an impressive transfer class, which includes several former four- and five-star recruits. Idaho State brings with it a wide open passing attack that averaged 298.4 yards a game last season, but the Bengals will have a new starting quarterback in Jordan Cooke. Keep an eye on UNLV running back Jai’Den Thomas. How well he plays this season will determine a lot about the Rebels’ success.
Stanford At Hawaii
How to watch: 7:30 p.m. ET, CBS/Paramount+
Betting Line: Hawaii is a 2.5-point favorite, and the Over/Under is 50.5 points.
Prediction: I predict Hawaii wins 27-24.
Don’t sleep on the Rainbow Warriors this season. They return one of the top passing attacks in the country led by Group of Five Preseason All-American wide receivers Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle, both of whom caught more than 60 passes last fall. Hawaii has a new starting quarterback, redshirt freshman Micah Alejado, but he’s supported by two veteran running backs and an offensive line that returns three starters. Hawaii’s defense also returns three of its top six tacklers on a unit that was sneaky good last season. Stanford’s offense should be better this year after it struggled to run the ball or score points, but the Cardinal also will have a new starting quarterback and will be replacing several top receivers.
