Wise is the bettor who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense Betting Tips before logging on to his sportsbook.
I may not always be perfect, but if you’ve followed my advice in the past, you’re money ahead.
Every Friday in this space throughout the 2024 college football season, I give you my straight-up picks for games involving SuperWest teams.
For those who don’t know, that includes all the former Pac-12 teams, the Mountain West, plus BYU.
On rare occasions, when I blow a pick (or two), I evaluate my mistakes the following week, analyzing where I may have gone wrong.
Last week, I went 7-3. So, where did I go wrong with those three losses?
Cal has been a disappointment all year, and it was no different against Syracuse. ASU, on the other hand, has been a pleasant surprise. BYU proved surprising last week in the other direction against Kansas, a loss no one saw coming.
But enough of that. I’m still a solid 81-39 on the season, good for 68 percent.
I fully expect to be basking in the glory of success again this week—and you should, too.
As always, my selections come with incredibly accurate game scores and just enough commentary to keep me from eating too many cashews here in the South Shore District of Seattle.
The bag is almost empty, so let’s get on with the picks!
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No. 24 UNLV at San Jose State
Friday, November 22
7:00 pm PT, FS1
If UNLV was going to quit, they would’ve done so two weeks ago against Hawai’i.
After the loss against Boise State, the Rebels have won two in a row and are still poised for a 10-win season.
UNLV shouldn’t need a lot of motivation for this matchup, considering San Jose State has beaten them four times in a row and eight out of the last ten. The key for Vegas in this contest is to stop the Spartans passing attack.
SJSU’s fourth-best passing attack in the nation is led by a nasty receiver: Nick Nash, a Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist who had 95 catches, 1,282 yards, and 14 touchdowns in 2024.
Even though SJSU’s fly game looks good statistically, UNLV’s secondary is dangerous. The Rebels feature Jalen Catalon, who is probably one of the most underrated safeties in the country.
These words may feel misleading because UNLV’s pass defense ranks 119th in pass yards allowed per game, usually because opponents are playing from behind—just like San Jose State will.
Rebels get their revenge.
UNLV 38, SJSU 24
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Arizona at TCU
Saturday, November 23
Noon PT, ESPN+
This matchup has the potential to save Arizona’s season. The Wildcats snapped their five-game skid last week, pushing their record to 4-6.
If UA wins this contest, it’ll set up a meaningful matchup against rival Arizona State to end their season.
Arizona’s key in this game is its defense. The Wildcats slowed down Houston, but TCU has a reputable bomb squad—the Horned Frogs average 33.2 points per game, which ranks 31st nationally.
TCU’s offense is led by signal caller Josh Hoover, who has thrown 3,233 yards, 22 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
Even though Texas Christian is favored, Arizona has the potential to hang with them in a shootout. The Cats offense ranks 106th nationally in points scored per game, but Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan can always create some homers.
Quali Conley has also proven a solid addition in the backfield. In 2024, he rushed for 677 yards and eight touchdowns.
AZ faced a porous Houston offense, but TCU is the best passing team in the Big 12 and will score enough to outrun the Cats.
“It’ll be there if it’s God’s will.”
TCU 35, Arizona 31
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Stanford at Cal
Saturday, November 23
12:30 pm PT, ACC Network
Stanford’s year felt complete disappointment until last week’s victory against Louisville.
Ashton Daniels had one of his best outings of the year, throwing for 298 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
Emmett Mosley V also had his best ball game of the season, with his stats reading 13 passes, 168 yards, and three touchdowns.
Mosley’s slowly been breaking out his last three games and would prove an excellent complement next to Elic Ayomanor as the No. 2 wideout.
Cal has a better record than the Cardinal but their season has felt more heartbreaking. The Golden Bears enter the Big Game with a 5-5 mark that feels more than 4-6.
Every time Cal finds its rhythm, it gets halted immediately, and this continued last week when the Bears lost against Syracuse at home, having won their two priors.
Stanford’s return to normal form should be the key to this contest. The Cardinal rank near the bottom of the nation in both points scored and allowed per game.
The Golden Bears are a pretty good team when they choose to be, and this game is too big to sluff.
Cal by seven.
Cal 35, Stanford 31
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No. 16 Colorado at Kansas
Saturday, November 23
12:30 pm PT, FOX
This matchup could prove fun due to the squads’ varying styles.
The Buffaloes are a pass-first team that can break souls with speedy receivers. Colorado hung 49 points on a Utah defense that has not allowed more than 27 points in a contest this season.
Shedeur Sanders is one of the best quarterbacks in the country, and he should be able to move the ball against a Kansas secondary school that ranks 81st in pass yards allowed per game.
The Jayhawks have a dangerous cornerback duo in Mello Dotson and Cobee Bryant, but the depth of the Buffs receiving core could prove troubling.
KU also features a dangerous rushing attack led by the combination of quarterback Jalon Daniels and halfback Devin Neal. Neal is the Jayhawks’ best playmaker on offense. He’s rushed for 926 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Kansas is hot right now because of its back-to-back wins against ranked opponents, but it lacks consistency at the quarterback position.
CU’s signal caller is going to the League, and KU’s stays in Lawrence.
Deion Sanders continues his push to the Big 12 title.
Colorado 42, Kansas 28
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No. 14 BYU at No. 21 ASU
Saturday, November 23
12:30 pm PT, ESPN
This game didn’t seem important in preseason, but now, with the Big 12 Title Game and a possible Playoff spot on the line, it’s too big for major media to overlook.
E
Arizona State enters the contest scalding hot, having won five of its last six and three in a row.
The Sun Devils are led on offense by a dangerous triad of Sam Leavitt, Jordyn Tyson, and Cam Skattebo. They provide balance, but Skattebo is the leader of this unit.
Skattebo is a dual-threat back who’s rushed for 1,096 yards and 10 touchdowns; he’s also added 448 yards and two touchdowns as a wideout.
As for BYU, we’re about to find out who they are. The Cougars offense is like playing a lousy team on All-Madden difficulty. They feel stoppable but usually score a lot of points.
The Cougs rank 38th in the nation, averaging 31.6 points per outing. The key in this contest should be the play of BYU signal caller Jake Retzlaff.
ASU’s offense will likely stress the Cougars’ defense, and Retzlaff will have to produce. He should target Chase Roberts—BYU’s most consistent threat—early and often.
Two weeks ago, BYU was undefeated; two matchups later, they might not make the Big 12 Championship Game.
Sparky sends Cosmo to hell.
Arizona State 27, BYU 21
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Washington State at Oregon State
Saturday, November 23
4:00 pm PT, The CW
Washington State’s dream season went up in smoke last Saturday in both an expected and unexpected loss against New Mexico.
Some feel the Cougars Coug’d it, but they could’ve easily lost against San Jose State, Fresno State, and San Diego State. This feels more like the law of averages.
The key for WSU in this contest is to find meaning in what’s left of their season. Before the loss against New Mexico, the Cougars held an outside shot at making the College Football Playoff.
Washington State relies heavily on quarterback John Mateer to do most things. Mateer has thrown for 2,707 yards, 26 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He’s also added 695 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground.
Oregon State has probably had the most disappointing season in the West, maybe the country. The Beavers started 4-1 before losing five straight games to reach their current mark of 4-6.
They’re in the midst of a quarterback change, but this doesn’t excuse their 28-0 loss to Air Force last Saturday.
Nothing excuses this loss; the Cougs win the Pac-2 title.
Washington State 45, Oregon State 17
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No. 12 Boise State at Wyoming
Saturday, November 23
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
From the inside looking out, this is a game that Boise State should handle easily. But if you look from the outside in, the Broncos have struggled in their last two outings.
BSU fell behind San Jose State 14-0 before making a comeback and only beat Nevada by seven points the week prior. All Boise needs to do is win out, and they’ll find themselves in the College Football Playoff because Army isn’t beating Notre Dame.
The key for the Broncos in this game is to treat it like a championship matchup. Nothing would derail BSU’s playoff hopes like a loss to a 2-8 Wyoming squad.
The Cowboys need to have some fun at home. Wyoming has nothing to lose, which makes them extremely dangerous. They should have their NFL Street plays ready.
The Cowboys are led on offense by Kaden Anderson, but it feels like they don’t have a clear starting quarterback. Expect Boise State’s defense to be aggressive in an attempt to rattle whoever plays QB for the Boys.
But this is a “Boyz II Men” story, and the men are looking for a trip to the College Football Playoff.
Boise gets it done on the range.
Boise State 45, Wyoming 14
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No. 22 Iowa State at Utah
Saturday, November 23
4:30 pm PT, FOX
Utah has had one of the most disappointing seasons in college football.
The Utes have fallen apart offensively because they don’t have a true quarterback. Even with Shane Falco under center, the Utes still have a chance to make a bowl game.
The key for Utah in this contest is to ride their seniors. Players like Dorian Singer, Van Fillinger, and Junior Tafuna all could prove pivotal in their last game in front of the MUSS.
If whoever plays quarterback for the Utes can protect the ball, they could pull an upset on senior night.
Iowa State needs to score points and jump out to an early lead. The Cyclones feature a balanced offense led by quarterback Rocco Becht, who has thrown for 2,628 touchdowns, 17 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 2024.
ISU has lost two out of their last three outings after jumping out to a 7-0 start, making this game a must-win. They still could sneak into the Big 12 Title Game with a victory in Salt Lake City.
Utah’s offense is robotic; Cyclones clean off the red rocks.
Iowa State 28, Utah 17
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Colorado State at Fresno State
Saturday, November 23
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
This week’s matchup in the SuperWest world is pretty interesting.
Colorado State enters this matchup undefeated in conference play and two wins away from a shot in the Mountain West Championship Game. For Fresno State, this game is an opportunity to save their season.
The Bulldogs enter this contest on a two-game losing streak and a 5-5 record overall. Fresno’s campaign looked solid before back-to-back losses against Air Force and Hawai’i.
The key to this matchup should be whether CSU can stop the Bulldogs’ passing attack. Mikey Keene and Mac Dalena are a formidable duo, but Keene has gotta protect the ball. He’s thrown for 2,487 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Colorado State has gotta find a way to score some points in Valley Children’s Stadium. The Rams are led on offense by halfback Avery Morrow, an unknown name who will have an opportunity to brand himself on a national stage in his next three outings.
CSU’s defense is also solid, only allowing 22.7 points per game. The Rams find a way against a team that has lost its way.
Colorado State leans toward a title.
Colorado State 27, Fresno State 24
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USC at UCLA
Saturday, November 23
7:30 pm PT, NBC
USC enters the Crosstown Rivalry with a shot at win No. 6 after their victory against Nebraska last week. This game is extremely important because the Trojans will likely struggle in their final matchup against Notre Dame.
SC’s key in this contest is the play of second-game starter Jayden Maiava. He performed well in his first outing with the Trojans, throwing for 259 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception.
If he continues to play decently, it should make space for running back Woody Marks. The Trojans passing attack probably gets the most hype, but Marks is USC’s best player on offense. He’s rushed for 1,025 yards and nine touchdowns.
The Bruins have to win their final two contests to become bowl-eligible.
The key for UCLA in this outing is their defense. The Bruin offense has struggled all year, and they’ll likely need to hold SC under 30 points to lean on their run game. UCLA looked solid against Iowa using this formula.
The problem for the Bruins is that Ethan Garbers gives the ball to the other team too often, which should prove too much to overcome.
The Trojans fight on.
USC 42, UCLA 30
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