Week 0 Mountain West CFB Game Previews and Predictions

Idaho State Bengals at UNLV Rebels

Saturday, August 23
1:00 PM PT, MW Network

Line: UNLV -25
Over/Under Point Total: 65.5

Barry Odom took the Rebels to new heights in his two seasons in Las Vegas. Now the fate of UNLV is in Dan Mullen’s more-than-capable hands.

We will get an early look at the new-look Rebels in this opening-week matchup with Idaho State. Given the state of the program and the direction Mullen wants to take it, this game should not worry UNLV much at all.

The contest figures to be a breeze for UNLV, giving the incoming transfers a chance to gel ahead of the meat of the schedule.

The Rebels are loaded with former Power 4 transfers, among them, the two players battling for the QB1 job, Alex Orji and Anthony Colandrea.

That battle will likely continue through the opener, with the two expected to split reps against the Bengals. UNLV should be able to run all over ISU, and the Rebel defense should not be troubled much.

The interesting aspect of that QB battle is not just who ultimately wins the job, but how each of them fares against a lesser opponent.

Orji is a dynamic runner, but—to put it lightly—he struggled as a passer at Michigan. I am eager to see how he connects with his receivers in this one.

We know he can break containment and make plays with his legs, but against the Bengals, I’d like to see how he moves the offense with his arm, directing it from the pocket.

Colandrea is a better thrower but also has a history of throwing it to the wrong team, with 20 interceptions in 19 starts with Virginia.

It will be interesting to see if Colandrea shows better consistency and decision-making in this first contest.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: UNLV
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: UNLV

Fresno State Bulldogs at Kansas Jayhawks

Saturday, August 23
3:30 PM PT, FOX

Line: Kansas -12.5
Over/Under Point Total: 50.5

For the fourth time since 2020, the Bulldogs will be opening the season with a new head coach at the helm.

The Matt Entz era will begin for Fresno State with a trip to Lawrence as the Jayhawks open a new era of their own.

Kansas kicks off the season in its reimagined David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium, the first major rebuild to the venue since it opened in 1921.

The Bulldogs will look to run first, not only in this one, but also throughout the season.

If they can establish things on the ground, they could be in good shape against a Jayhawk squad that allowed 153.5 rushing yards per game last season.

In five wins last season, the Kansas held foes to 91 yards rushing while surrendering 198.1 on the ground in their seven losses.

If Fresno State can get Bryson Donelson going early and often, the underdog Bulldogs could spoil the stadium re-opening.

Should the ground game struggle, the passing attack will be in capable hands with the experienced quarterback EJ Warner under center. But the better the run game performs, the more likely it is that passing attack will click.

Defensively, the Bulldogs will have their hands full with the Kansas offense, which features Jalon Daniels at quarterback and Daniel Hishaw running the ball.

Daniels is a threat with his legs as well as his arm. Getting the Jayhawks off the field will be key for the Bulldogs. Last season, KU was second in the nation, converting on 51% of its third downs.

This is a tough opener for Entz, not only because of the caliber of the opponent, but also due to the pomp and circumstance that is sure to accompany the new digs.

In front of a national TV audience, as the marquee East Coast prime time game, I think the Bulldogs will keep things tight most of the game. But Kansas ultimately pulls away for the cover late.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Kansas
Points Total: Over
Outright winner: Kansas

Stanford Cardinal at Hawai’i Rainbow Warriors

Saturday, August 23
4:30 PM PT CBS

Line: Hawai’i -2.5
Over/Under Point Total: 50.5

Stanford and Hawai’i will garner a national audience in prime time as both teams look to open things up on a positive note.

For the Cardinal, it marks the beginning of the Andrew Luck era.

The former star Cardinal quarterback is running his alma mater’s football program as the General Manager, while his old Colts coach Frank Reich serves as interim head coach.

For the Rainbow Warriors, this season promises a huge jump in talent as Timmy Chang sends out what appears to be his best squad to date. And with that, the head man’s chance to pick up his first win over a P4 opponent.

There is a lot of optimism and excitement at UH ahead of the 2025 season, and that stems from the late-season play of QB Micah Alejado.

The talented redshirt freshman has a host of playmaking WRs to work with as the offense looks to take Chang’s Run-and-Shoot offense to the next level.

The Rainbow Warrior offense has a chance to stand out this season, and the Cardinal struggled to keep opponents off the board last season.

For Stanford, the rebuild should be easier behind sixth-year senior Ben Gulbranson. But for Stanford this season is a total rebuild. The 17 transfers represent a program record.

The Cardinal will need to create plays on offense to keep up with the Hawai’i attack. While the Cardinal allowed too many points last season, they did do a good job of creating takeaways.

If Stanford can continue that trend and force some interceptions, they could leave the Islands with the W.

Alejado did not throw a pick in the two games he played to end last season, and I do not see that becoming a huge problem for him in this one.

The Warriors protect their home turf in an exciting cap to the five-game slate in Week 0.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Hawai’i
Points Total: Under
Outright winner: Hawai’i