This column is presented by SuperWest Sports, a media partner of Oregon Sports News.
Wise is the bettor who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense Betting Tips before logging on to his sportsbook.
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Washington at Rutgers
Friday, September 27
5:00 pm PT, FOX
I’m surprised that most sportsbooks have the Scarlet Knights as slight favorites, given last week’s results. RU knocked off Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, and Washington dominated Northwestern.
The key to this contest should be the play of Rutgers signal-caller Athan Kaliakmanis, who enters the game with 646 throwing yards, six touchdowns, and one interception in 2024.
He’ll need to step it up against the Huskies.
Both teams are led by their dominant defenses and a phenomenal running back, which should create a physical battle.
The Huskies need Will Rogers and Giles Jackson to continue to ball. The duo have connected for 342 yards and one touchdown through their first four games.
In what still doesn’t feel like a Big Ten matchup, I’ma go with boys from Seattle.
Huskies chomp the Knights.
Washington 30, Rutgers 17
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No. 22 BYU at Baylor
Saturday, September 28
9:00 am PT, FS1
From a talent perspective, BYU is probably the better team in this game.
Their defense has proven dangerous this season; they’re holding teams to 12.8 points per outing, which ranks them 18th nationally.
However, there are other variables to consider, most notably last week’s results. The whole country watched Baylor lose on a Hail Mary-fueled comeback by Colorado.
The Cougars decimated Kansas State in Provo, landing BYU the No. 22 spot in the AP polls.
The Bears have looked better ever since Sawyer Robertson took over at quarterback. Robertson has thrown for 463 yards, three touchdowns, and zero interceptions in the early season.
The Cougs have a proven playmaker at wideout in Chase Roberts, and Baylor will need to find someone to create some big gainers this week.
Someone’s gonna step up for Baylor after their catastrophic loss last week.
The Bears pounce the Cougs in Waco.
Baylor 28, BYU 20
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Colorado at UCF
Saturday, September 28
12:30 pm PT, FOX
The evolution of sports highlights to sports entertainment akin to the WWE is no more evident than in this contest.
UCF is probably the better team entering the game. They’re 3-0 with a nice victory over TCU and two blowouts of lesser opponents.
Yet, Colorado is a prominent feature on most sports highlight shows, even though they have a resume similar to that of the Knights.
The key to this contest will be the play of the Buffaloes’ defensive line, mainly the offensive line. They’ll also need to find a way to slow down UCF’s offense, which averages 45.7 points per game.
The Knights feature a balanced attack led by quarterback KJ Jefferson, who’s thrown for 563 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.
If CU ever starts protecting their quarterback, they’d improve tenfold.
But even fortyfold isn’t enough for Colorado in this one; UCF makes minced meat.
UCF 35, Colorado 27
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Wisconsin at No. 13 USC
Saturday, September 28
12:30 pm PT, CBS
Wisconsin is entering its first Big Ten matchup of the season after a blowout by Alabama two weeks prior.
This is relevant due to the season-ending injury to then-starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who tore his ACL on the first drive of the game in Tuscaloosa.
If the Badgers are going to win this contest, they’ll need to rely heavily on their defense and halfback Chez Mellusi.
USC needs to realize that Wisconsin is for real.
Signal-caller Miller Moss has proven solid in the early going, and halfback Woody Marks is quickly becoming a playmaker. Marks is a dual-threat option, adding extra stressor to opposing defenses.
Wisconsin switched its style under second-year offensive coordinator Phil Longo, which means it actually passes the ball, unlike Michigan.
If the Badgers still had Ron Dayne, they might stand a chance with their backup quarterback.
USC gets it done.
USC 42, Wisconsin 24
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Fresno State at UNLV
Saturday, September 28
12:30 pm PT, FS1
With all the talk about Matthew Sluka leaving, it’s easy to forget there is an important Mountain West game this weekend.
It also feels weird that there is this much talk about a quarterback who’s only completing 44 percent of his passes, even if Sluka’s NIL transfer move is unprecedented.
The key for UNLV is not to get caught up in conference realignment talks and the Sluka situation.
Fresno State is an underrated team that’s won its last three games. It opened its season with an impressive showing but ultimately lost in The Big House.
The key for the Bulldogs is to get their offensive going from the jump. Mikey Keene, Malik Sherrod, and Mac Dalena form a credible trio for an offense that averages 36 points per game.
The Rebels have not faced a formidable passing attack this season, which could be troubling for a middle-of-the-street secondary.
Trouble is fun, but getting caught isn’t; FSU arrests UNLV.
Fresno State 38, UNLV 31
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Stanford at No. 17 Clemson
Saturday, September 28
4:00 pm PT, ESPN
For the second straight week, Stanford travels east hoping to knock off an ACC foe. The difference this time is that Clemson is a much better team than Syracuse.
The Tigers enter the matchup with a 2-1 record, with their only loss coming at Georgia.
The game has conference title implications. The Cardinal is trying to make a name for itself in the ACC, while Clemson is a member of the old guard in the Conference.
The key to this matchup will be the play of Stanford’s quarterback Ashton Daniels. He’s been iffy this year but has shown a glimpse of being the dude.
If Daniels can’t find a way to score at least 30 points, the Tigers will probably outpace the Cardinal. Clemson signal-caller Cade Klubnik has also proven solid, except for the Georgia outing.
College football may have changed, but not enough for the Cardinal to win in Clemson.
Tigers burn the Tree.
Clemson 45, Stanford 20
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Air Force at Wyoming
Saturday, September 28
5:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
What the frick happened to both these teams?
Air Force lost most of its roster in the off-season, returning only four combined starters.
But it’s still a bit surprising that their triple-option attack hasn’t fared better. The Falcons are only averaging 3.2 yards per carry, which is pedestrian for an offense reliant on the run game.
Wyoming is in a transitional phase after the retirement of Craig Bohl. It also doesn’t help that Harrison Waylee was injured in a pre-season scrimmage; the star back was expected to be the focal point of the Cowboys offense.
The key to this contest is who wants it more. If AFA can win, 2-2 doesn’t look bad with losses to Baylor and San Jose State, but 1-3 feels miserable. If the Cowboys lose, they could start 0-6.
Wyoming isn’t going to play Toby Keith like that; the boys get a win.
Wyoming 21, Air Force 13
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Washington State at No. 25 Boise State
Saturday, September 28
7:00 pm PT, FS1
I know that Washington State fans feel like the wins over San Jose State and Washington were important, and they are, but everything out west runs through Boise State.
This matchup should indicate who’s ready to run the Mountain West-Pac-2 (oops, I mean the Pac-12) hybrid this season. As for the action on the turf, both teams should be led by their respective star players.
WSU’s quarterback, John Mateer, is quietly making a name for himself nationally through his shifty moves. Mateer has run for 425 yards and five touchdowns and has proven to be a capable thrower, tallying over 1,100 yards and 11 touchdowns through the air.
The Broncos are led by arguably the best halfback in the nation in Ashton Jeanty, who has rushed for 596 yards and nine touchdowns and is averaging 10.5 yards per carry.
But the key to this contest could be BSU quarterback Maddux Madsen. The Broncos should be fine if Madsen can make a few timely throws.
But fine isn’t legendary, and Mateer is writing his. Cougs win a close one.
Washington State 31, Boise State 30
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Arizona at No. 10 Utah
Saturday, September 28
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
Kyle Whittingham is the best coach in college football, and it’s not very close.
Whittingham took his Utah squad into Stillwater with a backup quarterback and won the game comfortably. That cannot be understated.
He took his Utes to the Coliseum the year prior and won with a third-string quarterback, who is now a backup at Utah State.
As usual, Utah’s defense is dominant, allowing only 13 points per game. Their offense is led by a solid trio of players: halfback Micah Bernard, wideout Dorian Singer, and tight end Brant Kuithe.
Arizona must prove they are more than the Noah Fifita and Tetairoa McMillan show. This duo is elite, but a Whittingham-led defense breeds off of one-dimensional offenses.
The Wildcats will need their offensive line to create space for halfback Quali Conley to keep the Utes off-balance. But the U of U will be ready.
The Cats ran the score up on Utah last season; the Utes are ready for revenge.
Utah 42, Arizona 17
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No. 8 Oregon at UCLA
Saturday, September 28
8:00 pm PT, FOX
UCLA is the most confusing team to cover. They actually showed some fight in the first half against LSU last week. This is weird, considering they got mauled by Indiana the week prior and only beat Hawai’i by three in the opener.
The key for the Bruins in this contest is to find any leader on the offensive side of the ball. Their offense is abysmal and they’ll need someone to show some heart. They average just above 15 points per game.
The Ducks need to keep their game plan simple. Dillon Gabriel is off to a fantastic start, but they should sprinkle in a few handoffs to Jordan James to keep the Bruins guessing.
UCLA’s rush defense is one of its few strengths, ranking 21st nationally.
As confusing as the Bruins are attempting to be, they stand no chance unless Jake Bobo comes back.
If they’re Boboless, they’ll get obliterated in this contest—Oregon by 31.
Oregon 45, UCLA 14
