This story first appeared at SuperWest Sports (https://superwestsports.com/nick-bartletts-week-8-superwest-fearless-cfb-predictions/)
Wise is the bettor who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense Betting Tips before logging on to his sportsbook.
Last week was only decent for me—or you, unfortunately, if you followed my advice.
I went 7-5 overall, missing on Colorado-Stanford, Oregon-Washington, WSU-Arizona, USC-Notre Dame, and Boise State-Colorado State games.
So, where did I go wrong?
Who saw the Stanford upset coming? I mean, seriously. Oregon was not a bad pick; the Ducks (read Dan Lanning) just made some bad calls. As for my Cougs, I have nothing to say except, good job, Wildcats. USC and BSU let nearly everyone down.
Despite those misses, I’m still a respectable 62-20 on the season.
But enough hindsight. It’s time to look ahead to this week’s games.
As always, my selections come with incredibly accurate game scores and just enough commentary to keep me from drinking too much pumpkin spice coffee.
My cup is already half-empty, so let’s get on with the picks!
No. 22 Air Force at Navy
Saturday, Oct 21
9:00 am PT, CBS
What the hell’s the name of this rivalry? It is a rivalry, right? Minus my Aristotle-like reflections, this should be a battle of the triple option.
Speaking of the Falcons, shouldn’t a school called Air Force be a passing team? And Army should rely on their ground game, while the Navy…Well, I guess you can’t play football in the ocean. Maybe on an aircraft carrier?
Seriously, the Navy has gotta hope their defense continues to ball. The Midshipmen’s scoring offense is ranked 117th in the nation, so their defense has to be their saving John.
You could probably call this a trap game for Air Force after the win against Wyoming.
But the Falcons will be able to control the matchup with their ground attack because that’s their steez, and they’ve done it perfectly to a 6-0 record.
Make it seven.
Air Force 35, Navy 20
Washington State at No. 9 Oregon
Saturday, Oct 21
12:30 pm PT, ABC
Washington State football destroyed my soul the last two weeks, but I still have to cover my Alma Mater?
Tragedy aside, the Cougars enter this matchup after two weeks of menial offense. Cam Ward has gone from a Heisman hopeful to another guy at a momentous pace.
WSU needs help, and they’re about to run into a driven bully.
Oregon enters this matchup on the heels of a heartbreaking loss to Washington. They should be focused, angry, and ravenous in destroying the Cougs.
No one wins in a blowout; well, Oregon does. Ducks fly away.
Oregon 45, Washington State 17
Hawai’i at New Mexico
Saturday, Oct 21
3:00 pm PT, Spectrum Sports
What we have here is a showcase of two programs that are lost in “The Wonder Years.”
Hawaii enters this matchup having played San Diego State well last week but currently stands at 0-2 in the Mountain West.
The Rainbow Warriors are led by quarterback Brayden Schager, who’s thrown for 2,088 yards and 17 touchdowns.
New Mexico got smacked up last week by San Jose State and has the same conference record as Hawaii. The Lobos are led by safety Tavian Combs, who has 46 tackles, 29 solo, and one forced fumble.
Both of these teams need a conference win, and one of them is Hawaii.
Warriors win one.
Hawai’i 35, New Mexico 31
Texas Tech at BYU
Saturday, Oct 21
4:00 pm PT, FS1
I’m sure glad I didn’t pick BYU last week. I thought they would compete against TCU, but they didn’t.
This Saturday, they’ll look to defend LaVell Edwards Stadium, where they’re 3-0 thus far.
The key for the Cougars is the Kedon Slovis-Chase Roberts combination. If this duo can’t provide consistency, the Cougs will likely struggle to keep pace with Texas Tech’s 44th-ranked scoring offense.
The Red Raiders hope to break BYU’s spirit with a heavy dose of Tahj Brooks. Brooks has run for 786 touchdowns and five touchdowns in 2023.
I like the Cougs at home, but not enough to pick them.
Raiders win close.
Texas Tech 34, BYU 28
Colorado State at UNLV
Saturday, Oct 21
4:00 pm PT, Mountain West
With about five minutes left to go in the Colorado State-Boise State game, this matchup appeared irrelevant. Five football minutes later, the Rams are now looking to make a name for themselves in the Mountain West.
CSU is led by Freshman quarterback Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. Since Fowler-Nicolosi took over as starter, the Rams have posted a 3-1 record, not including a competitive performance against Colorado.
For UNLV, these types of games are must-wins if they’d like to move into the upper echelon of the MW.
If the Rebels are smart, they’ll invite as many Rams players onto the strip and then go home.
Home is where the heart is. LV by 13.
UNLV 38, Colorado State 25
Utah State at San Jose State
Saturday, Oct 21
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
The loser of this matchup will be demoted to the English Football League or be eliminated from Mountain West contention. Either one works.
Utah State enters this contest after a close loss to Fresno State. For the Aggies, it’s all about that “O.” Their scoring offense is one of the best in the nation, led by quarterback Cooper Legas.
San Jose State is trying to reestablish itself after the debacle against Boise.
The Spartans will likely need to win this game if they want an opportunity at the postseason.
Opportunities aren’t given. Aggies by one.
Utah State 31, SJSU 30
No. 14 Utah at No. 18 USC
Saturday, Oct 21
5:00 pm PT, Fox
Is Cam Rising playing yet? Probably not, and with that, how will Utah move the ball?
The Utes offense has struggled all year but found a rhythm against Cal. Utah rushed for a combined 317 yards last week; Sione Vaki led the way with 158 yards and two touchdowns.
This is a far cry from the 117th nationally-ranked scoring offense. For USC, it should be interesting to see their fortitude.
Any team can be “LL Cool J” when things are going smoothly, but will they fall apart when s*it gets real?
It feels unlikely, considering SC has a Heisman. Trojans march on.
USC 31, Utah 20
Nevada at San Diego State
Saturday, Oct 21
6:00 pm PT, FS2
How did San Diego State fall off so quickly? It feels like they were the hot new girl in town just two weeks ago, and now they’re one of Taylor Swift’s exes.
For the Aztecs to compete in this game, they must find some offense. Heck, look a little further, and they’ll need to find some defense, too. Luckily for SDSU, they’re playing the worst team in the conference.
Nevada enters this matchup after losing to their rival, which is probably a best-case scenario for the Aztecs.
The Wolf Pack are likely emotionally drained, combined with a lack of confidence.
Like the real world, SDSU has to kick them while they’re down. Aztecs cruise.
San Diego State 28, Nevada 17
No. 25 UCLA at Stanford
Saturday, Oct 21
7:30 pm PT, ESPN
To use logic to predict this game doesn’t make sense after last week. I think Stanford just glitched; they only know logic.
The Cardinal enter this matchup after their come-from-behind victory against Colorado. They’ll look to carry the momentum they found in their passing game back to the farm.
Wideout Elic Ayomanor had 294 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Buffs. For UCLA, please win Chip Kelly. If Kelly loses this game, he could find himself in the bubble.
The Bruins are more talented, led by the nation’s 14th-ranked scoring defense and running back Carson Steele, but they still gotta duel.
Stanford got theirs last week. Cardinal down.
UCLA 38, Stanford 27
Arizona State at No. 5 Washington
Saturday, Oct 21
7:30 pm PT, FS1
I’m trying hard right now to find a reasonable argument for ASU, and I still can’t. Arizona State enters this matchup on a five-game losing streak and lacking sun.
The Sun Devils are led by running back Cameron Skattebo, who’s proven to be a good dual threat out of the backfield.
Washington is lucky this isn’t in the desert. This is a picturesque trap game, but not in Seattle.
Michael Penix Jr. has thrown for three times more touchdowns than the three ASU quarterbacks combined.
Dawgs triple up the Devils.
Washington 42, ASU 14
