Throughout the College Football season, I give my just-for-fun picks, but I’m competitive, so I do some research.
I’m off to a 65-18 start in my fearless picks this year. Last season I got 70% right.
I went 7-3 a week ago, missing on Oregon, BYU, and USC.
This week I’m making picks for the following games:
– Arizona at Texas Tech
– Stanford at Louisville
– Arizona State at BYU
– Northwestern at Oregon
– Utah at Cincinnati
– Nevada at UCLA
– Ohio State at USC
– Washington at Nebraska
– Texas State at Boise State
– Oregon State at Fresno State
You will also want to read Stephen Vilardo’s Big Ten and Mountain West columns, Dane Miller’s Big 12 column, and my Pac-12 column.
Sit back and vibe.
Let’s get on to the picks.
No. 22 Arizona at No. 13 Texas Tech
Saturday, October 31
9:00 AM PT, ESPN
Arizona enters this contest after throttling three straight Big 12 opponents. A win over Texas Tech would push them into the conference’s upper echelon.
The Red Raiders enter this matchup after a loss against Cincinnati; they were previously undefeated. Both teams are still in the thick of the Big 12 race and hope to make the College Football Playoff.
The key to this game is whether Will Hammond shines in the spotlight. Hammond underwhelmed in the loss against the Bearcats, except for Danny Gonzales to pressure his soul. Hammond threw for 227 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception last week.
The Wildcats rank 65th in passing yards allowed per game so that he may capitalize. Another factor is whether UA’s receivers can make enough plays to win. This feels like the moment when Tre Spivey’s absence could hurt Arizona.
Isaiah Mizell is playing outstandingly in his absence, with 317 receiving yards and three touchdowns in his last two outings. Tech’s passing defense is pretty bad this year, but if they limit Mizell, their lack of receiving-core experience could hurt them.
Noah Fifita hopes for a win that elevates their season, but Texas Tech is scary when angry.
The tortillas are bigger in Texas.
Texas Tech 35, Arizona 28
Stanford at Louisville
Saturday, October 31
12:15 PM PT, ACCN
Stanford enters this matchup after a nice victory against NC State last week. This is the Cardinal’s second straight win; they previously defeated Elon.
Louisville enters this contest on a two-game winning streak. They beat Syracuse last week and previously took down Florida State. A key question in this matchup is whether Stanford’s passing attack can hang with the Cardinals.
Louisville’s pass defense ranks 130th nationally in yards allowed per game; if Davis Warren finds a rhythm, the game could be tight. Warren finished with 303 passing yards, four touchdowns, and zero interceptions last week.
Another key factor for the Cardinal is Micah Ford‘s success. During the Tree’s two-game win streak, Ford has rushed for 329 yards and four touchdowns. Pacific to Atlantic, UofL features one of the most explosive offenses nationally.
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz leads the unit, but the team boasts plenty of talent around him. Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown play well together at halfback. At wideout, three players have at least 300 receiving yards, but Lawayne McCoy leads the bunch with 568.
The Cardinal are improving by the week, but they left their “S” in the bay.
Louisville 38, Stanford 17
Arizona State at No. 8 BYU
Saturday, October 31
12:30 PM PT, FOX
Arizona State enters this matchup after previously defeating Kansas State. They lost to Texas Tech the week prior. A loss would put them in the middle of the Big 12.
For BYU, this should be a chance to lick their paws. They enter this game after a heartbreaking double-overtime loss to UCF; they were probably still a tad cocky after beating Notre Dame. The key to this contest is the Cougars getting off to a quick start.
If the game stays close, BYU may feel the pressure, but an early lead could make Arizona State’s third-string quarterback panic. Mikey Keene is listed as questionable; Jake Fette could get the nod.
Another key factor in this contest is whether Arizona State can stop BYU’s rushing attack. If the Cougars run all over the Sun Devils, ASU’s gonna be in a bad spot.
Arizona State ranks 78th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game, but the Cougs will want to improve in this area after a poor showing against the Knights.
If they move the ball on the ground, it’ll also open up play-action, which could matter for a team that lacks elite wideouts. Legend Glasker is solid, and Kyler Kasper played well against UCF, but ASU likely has the edge. They hold no other edge.
The Mountain steadies in Provo.
BYU 28, ASU 10
No. 20 Northwestern at Oregon
Saturday, October 31
12:30 PM PT, Peacock
At the beginning of the year, Northwestern wasn’t ranked; Oregon was. It feels weird to see it reversed. The Wildcats enter this contest on a four-game winning streak, with their most recent result coming against Rutgers.
The Ducks enter this outing desperately needing a win after losing to Illinois a week ago.
If NU is going to win on the road, Aidan Chiles needs to keep playing well. Chiles is off to a hot start in Chip Kelly’s system, but the team is still a tad inconsistent.
Chiles stats are fire, though; he’s thrown for 1,617 yards, 12 touchdowns, and one interception. He’s also added nine touchdowns on the ground. If a few wonky things happen, he could be a dark-horse Heisman candidate.
But he has to survive Eugene first. UO’s defense is top-tier; it’s held it down while its offense has sputtered.
A key to Oregon’s success in this matchup is limiting Griffin Wilde, who is averaging 15.8 yards per reception and has four snags on the year; he’s also 25th nationally in total receiving yards.
Like the old Kelly days, Northwestern has two halfbacks who can both do it. Caleb Komolafe is the better of the two; he’s rushed for 551 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns.
The Wildcats have improved tenfold, but they’ll get lost on the Oregon Trail.
Oregon 31, Northwestern 21
No. 6 Utah at Cincinnati
Saturday, October 31
12:45 PM PT, ESPN
Utah is off to a ripping start under Morgan Scalley. The Utes enter this contest after a huge victory against Houston last week and remain undefeated this season.
This is a trappy game for the Utes, coming a week before the Holy War.
The Bearcats enter this matchup after an upset win against Texas Tech. They lost two in a row before that.
The key to this matchup is whether UC can run the ball against the U of U front. Cincinnati ranks eighth nationally in rushing yards per game but lacks the same air threat.
Cole Tabb is the Bearcats’ halfback to watch; he leads the team with 621 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns, and 9.6 yards per carry. Gi’Bran Payne joins Tabb in the backfield.
Utah also ranks eighth in rushing yards allowed per game, so this is a heavyweight fight.
Devon Dampier also needs to play more consistently this week. The Utes had zero points 40 minutes into the game last week, before Dampier decided to jet into action. He also needs to protect the ball.
Cincy’s quarterback, JC French, has only two interceptions this year. French might be underrated, with 1,510 yards and 19 combined touchdowns.
But Scalley’s already scared his team to victory.
Utah 31, Cincinnati 24
Nevada at No. 7 UCLA
Saturday, October 31
1:15 PM PT, Big Ten Network
Earlier this year, a contest only made the predictions because a top-ten team was in the game: Oregon at Oklahoma State.
Nevada enters this game after beating San Jose State. Previously, they lost to North Dakota State.
UCLA—how good are they really?—enters this matchup after beating Michigan State a week ago. They’re still undefeated and have a realistic shot at remaining so through the rest of their regular-season schedule.
The key to this contest is the Bruins week of preparation. A loss to the Wolfpack puts UCLA in the exact spot BYU is in now. Instead of playing carefree, every mistake is amplified because a mess-up could mean costing your team a CFP berth.
This is why the Pack must be taken seriously. In football terms, Nevada is likely outmatched across the board; logistically, their only chance is for Ty Dieffenbach to throw a couple duds and Dominic Kelley and Herschel Turner Jr. to both go off.
It’s possible, but not plausible. Wayne Knight is fourth in the nation with 12 rushing touchdowns, and he’s scored a six in every Bruin win this year. Make it seven.
UCLA 49, Nevada 14
No. 2 Ohio State at USC
Saturday, October 31
4:30 PM PT, NBC
Ohio State enters this matchup off a bye, but they previously beat Indiana by a foot. Their only loss of the year came against Texas in the non-conference.
USC’s loss to Wisconsin last week changed their season’s landscape and probably put Lincoln Riley on the hot seat. The Trojans must win to stay in the College Football Playoff race; they still have to play at Indiana and UCLA.
The key to this matchup is swarming Jeremiah Smith at all times. Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback, got hurt against Indiana, so Luke Fahey will probably get the nod.
Fahey’s a four-star prospect, but this is his first collegiate start. He’s facing a desperate team, and if the Trojans can’t beat the Buckeyes at home with a backup signal caller, maybe they should find a new league.
They don a legit safety tandem with Prophet Brown and Kennedy Urlacher, so they should be able to limit big plays. It’ll also prove interesting to see how Jayden Maiava performs against arguably the best defense in the nation.
Maiava will likely be fine, but their wideouts will need to make a few upperclassmen plays to keep things close.
Jayden’s the man, but Ohio State is full of men.
Ohio State 24, USC 20
Washington at Nebraska
Saturday, October 31
5:00 PM PT, Big Ten Network
Washington enters this matchup off a bye, but it previously defeated Purdue, snapping its three-game skid. Nebraska also enters this contest off a rest week, but it lost its prior two contests by three points each.
The key to this game is who Jedd Fisch starts at quarterback. Elijah Brown threw three interceptions against the Boilermakers, but he also helped them win.
Demond Williams Jr. probably has the higher upside, but Brown might be the better fit for the squad. If Fisch goes with a two-man rotation, it might feel disrespectful to both parties.
Another key question is whether the Huskies can stop the Huskers’ rushing attack. NU’s ground game has struggled recently, but it still ranks 29th nationally in rushing yards per game. Nebraska’s best three running backs should all be healthy for this matchup.
Anthony Colandrea has improved this year; he’s thrown for 1,570 yards, 14 touchdowns, and four interceptions. Colandrea is also their second leading rusher.
UW would also benefit by replicating the ground success they had against Purdue. The halfback duo of Trevion Cooley and Brian Bonner Jr. ran for 177 yards and two touchdowns; Cooley averaged 14.1 yards per carry.
The Lincoln blackout should make the difference.
Nebraska 27, Washington 17
Texas State at No. 20 Boise State
Saturday, October 31st
7:00 PM PT, CW
If Texas State wins this matchup, the Pac-12 landscape changes. The Bobcats enter this game off a close win against Utah State; their defense held the Aggies to 17 points.
If they can replicate that against Boise State, it could make their upset bid come to fruition. TXST probably feels like it should still be undefeated in the conference, but a win over the Broncos would erase the loss to San Diego State.
For BSU, it’s the usual thing. Boise State has already played multiple upstart teams who’ve tried to make a name for themselves on The Blue, and that’s usually that. The key to this contest is the Broncos’ physicality.
Texas State’s halfback Torrance Burgess Jr. is phenomenal; he’s second nationally in rushing yards per game. But he’s not their only weapon. Brad Jackson is also a solid leader.
Jackson has thrown for 1,606 yards, 14 touchdowns, and five interceptions in 2026. He has also added 382 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. Beau Sparks and Chris Dawn Jr. are his favorite targets.
Boise State will try to control the tempo with their offensive line, defense, and the combination of Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines. Maddux Madsen is also on a roll.
It’s almost the postseason; the Broncos hit differently.
Boise State 42, Texas State 21
Oregon State at Fresno State
Saturday, October 31st
8:00 PM PT, USA Network
The Pac-12 Team of the Year faces a huge test this weekend. Oregon State may be undefeated in conference, but Valley Children’s is a tough place to win.
The Beavers enter this matchup off a bye and after defeating Washington State. Fresno State is probably gonna be in a bad mood this week. They’re also coming off a bye, but they previously lost to rival San Diego State.
This might be the last chance the Bulldogs get to make a statement against a brand-name team, so they’ll be ready. The key to this matchup is whether Fresno can stop the duo of Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree.
This tandem is setting Pac-12 foes ablaze, and if they strike quickly, it could rattle the Bulldogs. The best way for Fresno State to limit this duo is by getting their ground game going. This is the best halfback combo OSU’s seen since league play started.
The Bulldogs’ rushing attack is off-kilter this year, but they need it now. Atkinson leads the nation in yards per game; Jayden Mandal will get outpaced in a shootout. It’s time for the trio of Rayshon Luke, Bryson Donelson, and Josiah Freeman to take over a game.
The Beavers will light up the Valley if they’re caught napping.
Oregon State 35, Fresno State 20
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