The 2025 college football season kicks off with a fireworks-worthy clash when the Fresno State Bulldogs storm into Lawrence to face the Kansas Jayhawks in a Saturday night showdown (6:30 PM ET) that promises to set the tone for both programs. For Fresno State, this opener marks the beginning of another quest to prove they belong among the nation’s elite non-Power 5 contenders, while Kansas—coming off a resurgent 2024 campaign—looks to announce its stay in the Big 12’s upper echelon isn’t a fluke. The Bulldogs’ physical, run-heavy identity will collide head-on with a Jayhawks defense that quietly became one of the conference’s most improved units last season, creating a strength-vs-strength battle in the trenches from the opening whistle.

With Week 1 often serving as a proving ground for teams with postseason aspirations, this matchup carries extra weight. Fresno State’s ability to dictate tempo with their ground game could expose a Kansas front still finding its footing, while the Jayhawks’ explosive passing attack—if it clicks early—might force the Bulldogs into an unfamiliar shootout. In a game where first impressions matter most, the team that imposes its will fastest could leave with not just a victory, but a statement win to fuel their entire season.