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 6-4. So, where did I go wrong with those four losses?
I keep thinking Cal will put it all together, and of course, they didn’t against NC State. Utah is a different team without Cam Rising, but I still liked them (mistakenly) vs. TCU.
ASU probably should have beaten Cincy. As for USC—who knows what’s going on with the Trojans?
But enough of that. I’m still a solid 54-26 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 raisins here in the South Shore District of Seattle.
The box is almost empty, so let’s get on with the picks!
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No. 17 Boise State at UNLV
Friday, October 25
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
This is a really tough matchup to predict. Boise State has the best player on the field in Ashton Jeanty, but UNLV is probably the better overall team.
Both of these squads enter this contest with only one loss on the year, and the winner of this game will take a stronghold lead in the Mountain West.
The key to the matchup is simple: Will the Rebels be able to tackle Jeanty? The potential Heisman winner has already rushed for 1,200 yards and 18 touchdowns in 2024. Maddux Madsen has also proven a reliable compliment next to Jeanty.
The biggest key for UNLV in this game will be whether the Rebels can tackle the Broncos back before he can run wild.
Jackson Woodard and Jalen Catalon are unknown stars; this is their opportunity to brand themselves on a National stage. The Rebels also feature a stand-out receiver in Ricky White.
In Vegas, a classic underdog will shine.
Boise makes its push to the College Football Playoff.
Boise State 28, UNLV 27
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Rutgers at USC
Friday, October 25
8:00 pm PT, FOX
This game should result in a nice feel-good for someone.
USC enters the contest after a humiliating loss against Maryland. The Trojans have blown four second-half leads this year, including a 14-point advantage over the Terrapins.
The Trojans’ key should be stopping Kyle Monangai. Rutgers’s offense relies heavily on staying ahead of the chains, while USC struggles, allowing 4.5 rushing yards per attempt.
If SC can improve on this mark, it should put Scarlet Knights quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in a tough spot.
Kaliakmanis should prove important in this outing because RU’s defense is missing five players and will need to score points against an explosive Trojans offense. USC’s averaging a hair above 30 points per game.
The loser of this outing will lose all relevancy in the Big Ten, which will not happen to USC in year one.
Traveler course corrects.
USC 42, Rutgers 24
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Washington at No. 13 Indiana
Saturday, October 26
9:00 am PT, Big Ten Network
Every week, I pick Washington, and it hurts my heart. I just want to believe in the Huskies because, even with all the new pieces, they have a complete roster.
In this contest, hopping out to an early lead to get Will Rogers’s confidence is pivotal. His stats look good—he’s thrown for 1,280 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions—but he’s not found a way to win the big game.
Flipping to the midwest, Indiana enters this contest with its backup quarterback due to Kurtis Rourke’s injury. They also haven’t played anyone super tough yet, so their record may be a bit misleading.
Last week’s 56-7 win over Nebraska was impressive, though.
It’s fair to say I’m hating because the Hoosiers do feature the best-scoring offense in the nation at 48.7 points per game. I’m just not sold on Indiana football with a backup quarterback.
Sorry, Mom, I got to go with Dad’s alma mater on this one.
Rogers gets it done in Bloomington.
Washington 38, Indiana 30
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No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon
Saturday, October 26
12:30 pm PT, CBS
Oregon is the No. 1 team in the country, and they’ve looked the part. This isn’t some Kumbaya ranking. The Ducks ran through Purdue last week, shutting out the Boilermakers 35-0.
UO is a complete team, but they have some injuries this week, most notably Terrance Ferguson and Jordan Burch.
Dillon Gabriel leads UO’s vaunted attack, having thrown for 2,080 yards, 15 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
The Fighting Illini, which are coming off a notable win against Michigan, pushing their record to 6-1, need to rely on signal caller Luke Altmyer due to an injury to halfback Kaden Feagin.
The key for Illinois is to make their drives as long as possible. Even if they settle for field goals, they want to minimize possessions to keep the game close.
They might keep it close but won’t win, not in Autzen.
Ducks cruise.
Oregon 45, Illinois 20
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No. 11 BYU at UCF
Saturday, October 26
12:30 pm PT, ESPN
This feels like a massive trap game.
BYU enters this contest with all the hype, but they lucked out last week. If Oklahoma State’s starting quarterback, Garrett Rangel, had not been injured, they likely would’ve gotten beat at home.
The Cougars couldn’t handle Rangel’s dual-threat ability. This could prove troubling because UCF will likely follow the same formula as the Cowboys.
The Golden Knights feature a dual-threat quarterback in Jacurri Brown and a phenomenal halfback in RJ Harvey. This duo fuels the third-best rushing attack in the nation.
UCF also features Kobe Hudson, a talented receiver with over 500 receiving yards on the year.
BYU counters with a solid passing trio in Jake Retzlaff, Chase Roberts, and Darius Lassiter. Retzlaff may have lit up Provo last week with a game-winning touchdown drive, but the Knights survived a hurricane, and the Cougars can’t fly.
UCF gets a big win.
UCF 28, BYU 21
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Oregon State at Cal
Saturday, October 26
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2
What the f*ck happened to California?
A few weeks ago, the Golden Bears were a half away from a 4-1 record and a victory against Miami. Now they’re 3-4, 0-4 in conference, and desperate for a home-cooked meal.
The key for Cal in this contest is to win the game. The Golden Bears are the more talented team; they have no excuse for letting this one slide. If Cal loses this one, they need to fire Justin Wilcox. No more putzing around the issue.
Last week served as a reality check for Oregon State. The Beavers are a good team, but they looked outmatched against UNLV.
Gevani McCoy had a nice comeback game after the loss at Nevada, throwing for 231 yards and rushing for 81 yards and two scores. OSU also features a solid wideout playmaker in Trent Walker.
Both of these squads need a win, but only one coach is playing for his life.
Wilcox survives.
California 35, Oregon State 21
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Utah at Houston
Saturday, October 26
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+
This is a contest between two teams that are struggling severely. Houston enters this matchup with a 2-5 record, with its wins coming against Rice and TCU.
Utah is on a three-game skid due to incompetence at the quarterback position. The Utes tried Cam Rising against Arizona State, but he was hobbled, and Isaac Wilson couldn’t hold it down.
Utah’s defense is good as always, only allowing 16.4 points per game.
Houston’s offense is actually worse than the U of U’s. The Cougars enter this contest in last place in points scored per game, ranking 134th.
The Cougs are led by quarterback Donovan Smith, who’s thrown for eight interceptions and four touchdowns thus far. He’s complimented by halfback Stacy Sneed, who averages 5.7 yards per tote.
In a battle of subpar offenses, only one is the worst.
The Utes get it done in the Magnolia City.
Utah 27, Houston 14
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West Virginia at Arizona
Saturday, October 26
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+
This game should prove pivotal for the future of Arizona football. The Wildcats sputtered out of the gate in Big 12 play, and they’ll need to capitalize at home against a beatable West Virginia team.
The Mountaineers enter this contest on a two-game losing streak but proved formidable the two games prior, knocking off Oklahoma State and Kansas.
WV’s key should be its running game. The Mountaineers boast the 33rd-ranked rushing attack in the nation, led by a trio of players. Signal caller Garrett Greene leads the group with 471 yards.
For UA, Noah Fifita has got to find himself again. After a great freshman campaign, Fifita has struggled this season, throwing for 1,774 yards, nine touchdowns, and ten interceptions.
The Wildcats would benefit from getting the ball to other receivers outside Tetairoa McMillan.
Arizona’s probably one of the more disappointing teams in the nation, and they’ll continue this trend.
Country roads take me home.
West Virginia 35, Arizona 31
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San Jose State at Fresno State
Saturday, October 26
5:00 pm PT, truTV
I’ve always wanted to live in San Jose, and I’ve always respected Fresno State Football, so I feel conflicted.
On the field, the Bulldogs are an underrated team. Fresno’s 4-3 record doesn’t look impressive, but they were one bad throw away from being 5-2. They thoroughly outplayed Washington State.
The Bulldogs are in the middle of the street offensively and defensively, but they have enough talent on both sides to win ball games. Fresno State is led by signal caller Mikey Keene who’s thrown for 1,766 yards, eight touchdowns, and an unusual nine interceptions.
San Jose State is led by whoever the hell is playing quarterback.
The Spartans had a good thing going with quarterback Emmett Brown, and I’m not sure why Ken Niumatalolo decided to replace him with Walker Eget. I don’t get it. Brown has proven elite and doesn’t seem to be out from an injury.
Keene may be struggling with turnovers, but that’s better than turnover in the quarterback position.
Fresno wins the Battle for the Valley.
Fresno State 31, SJSU 24
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Cincinnati at Colorado
Saturday, October 26
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
After a questionable start to the season, Deion Sanders is quietly proving his doubters wrong.
Colorado got off to an interesting start this year, but they’ve slowly found their style. After the Hail Mary win against Baylor, they’ve won three of their last four.
Cincinnati enters this contest on a two-game winning streak after beating Arizona State without their starting quarterback.
The main key in this one is whether the Buffaloes can protect Shedeur Sanders. When Sanders has time, the Buffs are deadly. It should be interesting to see how the CU front matches up against a Bearcats unit that ranks in the top 50 in sacking the quarterback.
Flipping the field, UC boasts the 25th-best passing offense in the country. The Bearcats are led by signal caller Brendan Sorsby, who’s thrown for 1,928 yards, 13 touchdowns, and four interceptions.
Cincinnati showed they’re legit against ASU, but both Sanders smell an opportunity, and Buffaloes never miss a scent.
Colorado runs wild.
Colorado 42, Cincinnati 30
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Washington State at San Diego State
Saturday, October 26
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
Washington State may be known for John Mateer, but it’s their defense that’s proven the difference in their last two outings.
The Cougars’ defense has only allowed 27 points in their last two games, and they sparked a come-from-behind victory against Fresno State, capped by a fourth quarterback pick-six by Ethan O’Connor.
WSU is led by a trio of receivers in: Kyle Williams, Kris Hutson, and Josh Meredith.
San Diego State’s season started off terrible, but they won their last two matchups. The Aztecs are 2-3, but they’re still in the thin of the hunt for a Mountain West Title, undefeated in the conference.
For SDSU to pull off the upset against their future conference foe, they’ll need to score some damn points. The Aztecs only average 22 points per game, and that’s not good enough against a potent Washington State offense.
Sean Lewis’ offense may be “Aztec Fast,” but that doesn’t scare Cougar strong.
WSU earns a beach day.
Washington State 45, SDSU 17
