Football has finally arrived, and we have three Saturday college football picks on a relatively small opening day slate to kick off the season. Let’s check out the games and find the best NCAAF picks that will add to our bankroll for the coming weeks of the season.
A New Season Means Uncharted Territory
This is a brand-new season, which means there will be markedly different lineups on the teams we studied last year.
From graduating seniors at skill positions to early NFL entries and the transfer portal, along with new coaching staffs, it is difficult to ascertain how quickly the chemistry of each team will form.
Therefore, a cautious approach at the top-rated sportsbooks for the opening week, and especially on the three Saturday night games, is a wise approach. Let’s not fall in love with one team or another until we see how well they perform on the field.
Without further ado, let’s check out our Saturday college football best bets on the three evening matchups.
Fresno State Bulldogs vs. Kansas Jayhawks
Saturday, August 23, 2025 – 06:30 PM EDT at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium
Neither of these teams had a winning ATS record last year, as Fresno State ended with a 4-5-1 record against the spread, while Kansas was 5-5 ATS.
However, we should note that Kansas covered their last five games until their finale, when they were blown out, 45-17, by Baylor on the road.
Fresno State managed a bowl game against Northern Illinois after going 6-6 straight up over the regular season, but fell 28-20 in overtime as 2-point underdogs in the Idaho Potato Bowl. Overall, it was a game effort, but the Bulldogs came up too little too late.
The bottom line is that the Bulldogs are getting too many points.
Kansas struggled through a disappointing season, and the roster hasn’t been upgraded, at least to my satisfaction. Expect Fresno State to use sophomore running back Bryson Donelson like a rented mule, with him carrying the rock early and often.
I suspect points will be sparse, which means getting a 12 ½ point head start looks better than good to me. Let’s trust it at at BetMGM (check our BetMGM Review).
Sam Houston Bearkats vs. Western Kentucky Hilltoppers
Saturday, August 23, 2025 – 07:00 PM EDT at Houchens Industries-L.T. Smith Stadium
This is a clash of Conference USA entries, and if we look back at how these teams performed against each other last year, we find that the Hilltoppers had little issue with Sam Houston, defeating the Bearkats, 31-14, and easily covering as 1-point road dogs.
However, Western Kentucky tailed off markedly at the end of last season, winning and covering only once in their last five games. Yet, the team now boasts a new offensive coordinator, Rick Bowie of Abilene Christian, who took his high-octane quarterback with him in the form of Maverick McIvor, who tossed 30 TD strikes and over 3,800 yards last season. Wideout Matthew Henry, formerly of Western Illinois, was another coup for the Hilltoppers in the portal.
The Bearkats have lost all three of their starting receivers from last year and have no experienced running back in the backfield. It is shaping up as a big Western Kentucky victory, so don’t hesitate to lay the lumber at Caesars Sportsbook (check our Caesars Sportsbook Review) and watch the Hilltoppers roll to victory.
Stanford Cardinal vs. Hawai'i Rainbow Warriors
Saturday, August 23, 2025 – 07:30 PM EDT at Clarence T.C. Ching Athletics Complex
These teams do not have much history between them, with the only meeting occurring in 2023 when Stanford defeated Hawaii, 37-24, and covered as 2.5 road chalk.
Last season was about as bad as it gets for the Cardinal, as they ended with a 2-8 record (3-6-1 ATS), while Hawaii wasn’t much better at 4-6 (5-4-1 ATS).
However, the records have been wiped clean, and now we see that Frank Reich is the man in charge at Stanford, and the former NFL quarterback and head coach will be focusing on offense.
Hawaii was renowned last season for costly mistakes, and Reich will undoubtedly be looking to exploit that weakness by having his quarterback target a lackluster defensive backfield. If a pass doesn’t connect, there is a high probability a flag will be thrown from the refs, giving Stanford a first down.
We are getting a bit of value here with Stanford, and although a +3 head start would be far more welcome than the +2.5 that BetMGM is giving us, we’ll take it. Let’s back the Cardinal in this one despite the game taking place in Honolulu.
Why Upgrade to OddsTrader Turbo
If you’re betting WNBA props or any sport, OddsTrader Turbo is the tool that gives you the edge:
- 5-star picks backed by a 73% accuracy rating
- Exclusive BetStation chatbot for expert advice, betting tips, and AI-powered insights
- Sportsbook syncing so you can track all your wagers across every account in one place
- Custom game alerts so you never miss a big moment
- Real-time line movement updates to grab value before the odds swing
Upgrade now and start betting smarter.
*21+ Seek help with a gambling addiction at 1-800-Gambler
*The line and/or odds referenced in this article might have changed since the content was published. For the latest information on line movements, visit OddsTrader’s free betting odds tool.
