This column first appeared on SuperWest Sports, a media partner of Oregon Sports News.
Wise is the fan who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense predictions before watching this weekend’s games.
Throughout the 2025 college football season, I give you my just-for-fun picks for contests involving the best teams in the West across five conferences.
Those teams include Arizona, ASU, BYU, Colorado, and Utah in the Big 12; Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington in the Pac-12; Cal and Stanford in the Big Ten; Oregon State and WSU in the Pac-12; and all the teams in the Mountain West.
I went 9-1 in the 10 Week 5 games, missing only on USC’s loss to Illinois. That brings my overall record to 39-14 on the season, good for 75%.
This week, I make picks for the following 10 games:
– New Mexico at San Jose State
– West Virginia at BYU
– Colorado State at San Diego State
– Oklahoma State at Arizona
– Oregon State at App State
– Boise State at Notre Dame
– Washington at Maryland
– UNLV at Wyoming
– Colorado at TCU
– Duke at California
You will also want to read my previews of ACC and Pac-12 games, Stephen Vilardo’s preview of the Mountain West and Big Ten matchups, and Dane Miller’s previews of the Big 12 contests.
As always, my selections come with my best game-score guesses and just enough commentary to keep me from drinking too much coffee here in the South Shore District of Seattle.
I’m already on my second cup, so let’s get on with the picks!
——–
New Mexico at San Jose State
Friday, October 3
7:00 PM, FS1
New Mexico has gotten off to a good start this year. They played Michigan tough in the Big House, and then won their next three contests.
New head coach Jason Eck leads the Lobos. On offense, Jack Layne has proven to be a reliable quarterback, having thrown for 818 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
UNM has three running backs who each have more than 175 yards. Dorian Thomas is their best receiving threat at tight end.
This game is an opportunity to make an immediate statement to the Mountain West. For San Jose State, they gotta re-find their rhythm. The Spartans were projected to be a decent group of five teams, but have stumbled in the non-conference.
It may benefit them to find a more balanced offense; they rank 121st in rushing yards per game.
They have a Top 25 passing attack led by Walker Eget, and he’s been finding his flow of late, throwing four touchdowns and no interceptions in his last two outings.
He also threw for 473 yards a week ago. Jordan Pollard is their defensive playmaker. San Jose State suffered a disappointing loss against Central Michigan to open its season; it’s time to move forward.
This is Sparta.
SJSU 31, New Mexico 21
——–
West Virginia at No. 23 BYU
Friday, October 3
7:30 PM, ESPN
This feels like a trap game for BYU. West Virginia enters this contest after getting drilled in their last two matchups.
The Mountaineers are heavily reliant on their run game. It’s one of the few areas they’ve found success in the early season. WVU ranks 22nd in rushing yards per game.
Nicco Marchiol has had a rough year; he’s thrown for 720 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
From a statistical standpoint, West Virginia doesn’t have a star on offense. They get their yards on the ground from a multitude of players. Cam Vaughn is their leading receiver with 276 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cougars enter this contest after a massive victory against Colorado. Even though BYU averages 38.5 points per game, they’re offense isn’t explosive; it’s efficient.
Bear Bachmeier was ready for the moment last week. He led the team in both passing and rushing yards.
LJ Martin is a tough veteran runner who understands the position. Martin has 400 yards and one touchdown on the year. Chase Roberts leads the team in both receiving yards and touchdown receptions.
West Virginia is probably underrated, but Cosmo scales the mountain.
BYU 35, West Virginia 20
——–
Colorado State at San Diego State
Friday, October 3
7:30 PM, CBS Sports
As a Washington State fan, I was surprised that Jay Norvell benched Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi last week. Jackson Brousseau did not meet the standard, throwing for 188 yards and no touchdowns.
Fowler-Nicolosi is the starting signal caller again this week, and it feels like Norvell had a ploy to wake him up before conference play. He has thrown for 488 yards, one touchdown, and no interceptions.
The Rams’ offense has been struggling to get going this season. CSU’s scoring unit ranks 131st nationally. Most of Colorado’s State productivity on offense has come from the halfback tandem of Jalen Dupree and Lloyd Avant.
San Diego State enters this matchup on a two-game win streak. They barely scooted by Northern Illinois a week ago. The Aztecs struggle mightily on offense but boast a top-10-ranked scoring defense.
Their best player on that side of the ball is Trey White, who can wreck a game plan.
On offense, outside of Lucky Sutton, they’ve struggled to move the ball. Sutton has rushed for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Napier is also a threat at wideout. Fowler-Nicolosi’s always been a good player, and I like what Norvell did.
I’ll meet CAM the Ram in the quad.
Colorado State 27, SDSU 17
——–
Oklahoma State at Arizona
Saturday, October 4
12:00 PM, TNT
Arizona got a bit of a reality check against Iowa State, but they’re still a good team. This contest is well-timed for the Wildcats. Oklahoma State enters this game with only one win on the year, against UT Martin, which has lost 12 straight games against FBS opponents.
For UA, this game should provide a nice confidence boost for Noah Fifita, who struggled against the Cyclones, throwing two interceptions. He should be able to take advantage of a Cowboys defense that ranks 126th in points allowed per game.
The Pokes allowed over 600 yards of offense against Baylor last week. They also rank near the bottom of the nation offensively, scoring only 17.2 points per game.
Interim head coach Doug Meacham is in a tough spot. Another benefit for Arizona is the development of Ismail Mahdi, who has rushed for 348 yards and one touchdown this year.
The Wildcats also boast the 25th-ranked defense in points allowed per game. If UA didn’t have such a tough outing a week ago, this could be an upset.
Wilbur and Wilma catch a Cowboy.
Arizona 45, Oklahoma State 14
——–
Oregon State at App State
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM, ESPN+
Oregon State’s in a tough spot, but they still have a little life left. A loss against App State would end this notion. It felt like the Beavers outplayed Houston last week, but came away with another loss in the end.
If the Beavs played the same way they did against the Cougars, they could win in Boone. At this point, statistics don’t matter for OSU; they have to win. Maalik Murphy needs to play better, but he also has a small injury-something to look out for.
This contest could prove dangerous against a talented Mountaineers defensive line. App State averages just under three sacks per game and has 75 quarterback pressures.
On offense, the Mountaineers are led by quarterback AJ Swann. His confidence may be a little off, though, as he’s thrown five interceptions in his last two games.
Rashod Dubinion has had a solid year, having rushed for 513 yards and two touchdowns. App State’s best receiver is Jaden Barnes. The combination of Anthony Hankerson and Trent Walker fuels Oregon State’s offense.
The Beavs are so close, and cigars are relaxing.
Corvallis gets on the board.
Oregon State 21, App State 10
——–
Boise State at No. 21 Notre Dame
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM, NBC/Peacock
This game’s vital for Boise State. The Broncos were surprised by South Florida in the opener, and it hurt their National reputation. They have a chance to rectify this in South Bend.
Notre Dame’s gonna take them seriously; their College Football Playoff is probably on the line. And it feels like CJ Carr is getting progressively better. Carr threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns a week ago.
Plus Jeremiyah Love is Jeremiyah Love. They also have a second option at halfback in Jadarian Price. Price has rushed for 273 yards and six touchdowns.
The Fighting Irish’s defense hasn’t looked good besides last week, which is something Boise may be able to capitalize on.
The Broncos are led on offense by Maddux Madsen, a reliable veteran quarterback who knows how to find wins.
Dylan Riley has also shown glimpses of being a running back, having recorded two 100-yard rushing games. Malik Sherrod provides depth as the second option. Boise State has four different receivers who have at least 148 yards.
The Broncos are usually aggressive on defense, but it could backfire in this contest.
It’s all Love.
Notre Dame 38, Boise State 24
——–
Washington at Maryland
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM, Big Ten Network
Washington’s a good team that wasn’t quite ready to take down the defending National Champion.
The Huskies are led by Demond Williams Jr., who should look better this week. UW’s offense only scored six points against the Buckeyes, which should scare the turtle out of Maryland.
Jonah Coleman is still one of the most underrated halfbacks in the country. He’s built like Marshawn Lynch.
The biggest area of concern for Washington in this contest might be fatigue. Maryland has had two weeks off to prepare for this matchup.
The Terrapins enter this contest with a good record, but haven’t played anyone on the Dawgs’ level yet. Their most notable result was a 17-point victory in Madison.
UMD’s biggest strength in this game is its defensive line. They’re tied for first in the country, averaging four sacks per game.
At signal caller, they’re led by Malik Washington. Washington should be a force in the future, but he struggles with accuracy issues. He’s thrown for 1,038 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception.
They’ll likely struggle to run against the Dawgs.
Huskies are cute until they get mad. Harry cracks Testudo.
Washington 42, Maryland 17
——–
UNLV at Wyoming
Saturday, October 4
4:00 PM, CBS Sports
UNLV has quietly snuck out to an undefeated record this season. The Rebels almost got tripped up against Miami (OH), but they managed to survive. If they wanna make life easy against Wyoming, they’ll need their defense to step up early.
The Cowboys are ranked 126th in points scored per game, so they don’t want to let them find their steez, particularly at home. UW relies on a dual-threat tandem at halfback. Samuel Harris and Sam Scott have combined for 475 yards and two touchdowns.
UNLV features a balanced offensive attack. Jai’Den Thomas is their best player at halfback, but Anthony Colandrea is proving a competent sidekick.
Colandrea has thrown for 940 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s also added 229 yards with his feet. Jaden Bradley is their best receiver.
If Wyoming wants to make some noise in Laramie, they’ll need Kaden Anderson to ball out. He’s only completing 55 percent of his passes.
If the Boys had a little more on offense, they’d get it done.
Time for a Rebel yell.
UNLV 28, Wyoming 14
——–
Colorado at TCU
Saturday, October 4
4:30 PM, FOX
This line feels weird to me. I get that Colorado is 0-2 in the Big 12, but TCU enters this game as two-touchdown favorites.
Both squads are coming off heartbreaking losses last week. The Buffaloes blew a 14-point lead, while the Horned Frogs blew a 17-point lead. The key for both teams will probably be which quarterback plays better.
Josh Hoover is a killer for TCU. He’s thrown for 1,242 yards, 11 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Hoover might be one of the more underrated quarterbacks nationally.
CU is led by Kaidon Salter, who hasn’t played well this year except in the Wyoming game. This is his second start back after being benched for the Houston contest.
But it’s more than him; the Buffs have proven inconsistent across the board.
One thing working in Colorado’s favor is that the frogs struggle to run the ball, and the Buffs rank 123rd in rushing yards allowed per game. If CU’s going to win this contest, they’ll need their receivers to take over. TCU ranks 110th in passing yards allowed per game.
Both defenses are mid.
These aren’t called fearless predictions for nothing—the Buffaloes pull the upset.
Colorado 38, TCU 35
——–
Duke at Cal
Saturday, October 4
7:30 PM, ESPN
Cal has gotta look better than they did last week against Boston College. The Golden Bears need to do well during this portion of their ACC schedule, or things could get rough the remainder of the year.
Duke has been spotty this season, but has bounced back with two victories against NC State and Syracuse. The Blue Devils are led by Darian Mensah on offense, who has been cooking this year. Mensah has thrown for 1,573 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
They also have a solid halfback in Nate Sheppard. Cooper Barkate is their leading receiver. He has 409 yards and three touchdowns on the year.
For Cal, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele needs to avoid turnovers against Duke. The Blue Devils’ defense is doing its thing over the last three games. They’ve forced seven turnovers.
The Bears also need to get Kendrick Raphael carries in this contest. Duke features the ACC leader in sacks, Vincent Anthony Jr., at defensive end. They’ll need to keep him off balance. They could also benefit from a few quick hitters to Trond Grizzell.
This is Cal’s homecoming game, and I think they got Cal’s usual weirdness out of the way.
Duke gets lost at the sideshow.
Cal 31, Duke 28
Be the first to comment