College football kicks off its 2025 season with a fascinating clash of styles when the North Dakota Fighting Hawks storm into Manhattan, Kansas, to challenge the Kansas State Wildcats under the Saturday night lights (7:00 PM ET). This Week 1 showdown pits an FCS powerhouse hungry to prove it belongs against a Big 12 program looking to start its campaign with a statement. The Fighting Hawks, fresh off another dominant Missouri Valley Conference run, bring their physical brand of football to Bill Snyder Family Stadium, where the Wildcats—armed with their trademark offensive creativity—will look to overwhelm with speed and scheme.

For Kansas State, this isn’t just another opener—it’s a chance to silence doubts after an offseason of roster turnover and set the tone for a potential conference title push. Meanwhile, North Dakota views this as its annual opportunity to shock the FBS world, having pulled off high-profile upsets in recent years. With both teams eager to erase the offseason rust and establish early momentum, expect a high-energy collision where every snap carries extra weight. The question isn’t just who will win, but who will impose their will first in what promises to be a gripping season debut.