This column first appeared on SporstWest 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 Big Ten; Cal and Stanford in the ACC; Oregon State and WSU in the Pac-12; and all of the Mountain West.
On rare occasions, when I blow a pick—or several—I evaluate my mistakes the following week, and analyze where I may have gone wrong.
I went 2-1 in the three Week 0 games, missing Hawaii’s upset of Stanford, which was suitable for a 67% start.
This week, I make picks for the following 10 games:
– Georgia Tech at Colorado
– UNLV at Sam Houston State
– San Jose State at Central Michigan
– Montana State at Oregon
– Georgia Southern at Fresno State
– Idaho at Washington State
– Cal at Oregon State
– Hawaii at Arizona
– Utah at UCLA
– Colorado State at Washington
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 at my favorite hangout in the South Shore District of Seattle.
I’m already on my second cup, so let’s get on with the picks!
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Georgia Tech at Colorado
Friday, August 29th
5:00 PM PT, ESPN
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Deion Sanders might not be everyone’s favorite coach, but he’s turning his team into a force. And it all starts with the coaching staff.
Pat Shurmur is the offensive coordinator, and he has over 23 years of coaching experience in the NFL, including four years as a Head Coach.
On defense, the coordinator is Robert Livingston, a 10-year NFL journeyman. The CU defense has improved in most statistical categories since Livingston took over.
It should also help that the Buffs are bigger on both sides of the line this season. It felt like Shedeur Sanders was always running around.
Georgia Tech is reliant on its quarterback-halfback tandem of Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Both of those guys are ranked ninth nationally at their positions.
They also have a phenomenal Head Coach in Brent Key, who has led the Yellow Jackets to 10 outright underdog wins since becoming the dude in 2022.
Even though Georgia Tech is favored, Deion isn’t losing to a college from Atlanta.
Colorado wins comfortably.
Colorado 35, Georgia Tech 21
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UNLV at Sam Houston
Friday, August 29th
6:30 PM PT, CBS Sports
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Was the Week One result exactly what UNLV fans were expecting? Probably not. But it was a win, and that’s what anyone cares about going forward.
The Rebels are favored in this contest, but that doesn’t mean they’re gonna get a dub. It cannot be overstated how difficult it is to win when both the offensive and defensive lines are entirely new.
Every week that UNLV can get a victory and continue to develop is enormous at this point. Against Sam Houston State, if the offensive line is decent, Anthony Colandrea should be able to torch their secondary.
The Bearkats allowed Western Kentucky’s quarterback to throw for 401 yards and three touchdowns in the opener.
SHS will obviously be paying a lot of attention to Jai’Den Thomas, which could make it even smoother for Colandrea.
It should also prove interesting to see if Jaden Bradley is a legit threat at wideout, or even if he was just beating up on FCS competition.
The Bearkats are gonna move the ball, and UNLV’s defense wasn’t too solid in week one, but the threat of Thomas is enough to throw off their defense.
The Rebels rebel at 2-0.
UNLV 38, Sam Houston State 31
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San Jose State at Central Michigan
Friday, August 29th
7:30 PM PT, FS1
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San Jose State could be a sleeper team nationally. The Spartans return Walker Eget, who threw for 2,504 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.
Nick Nash is gone, but SJSU did a good job getting guys in the transfer portal, bringing in three receivers from Power Four conferences, and returning their top three running backs.
Sticking with the theme, the Spartans got three offensive linemen back as well.
On defense, Ken Niumatalolo thinks the D-line could be the team’s strongest unit. They return their top tackler and linebacker, Jordan Pollard, who was selected to the preseason Bednarik Award Watch list.
Central Michigan is a program in transition. The Chippewas, led by new head coach Matt Drinkall, finished 4-8 last season. They return eight players who started in some role in 2024.
The most notable are linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, defensive end Michael Heldman, quarterback Joe Labas, and running back Nahree Biggins.
Drinkall seems like a good guy, but if San Jose State doesn’t win, then they’re really not that good.
The Spartans win by enough to keep their fan base happy.
San Jose State 42, Central Michigan 28
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Montana State at Oregon
Saturday, August 30th
1:00 PM PT, Big Ten Network
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The Oregon Ducks enter 2025 with Big Ten swagger, a new quarterback in Dante Moore, and the exact lofty expectations that have followed them for years.
The schedule is loaded with storylines, from a dangerous FCS opener to challenging Big Ten road traps and a heavyweight clash in Happy Valley.
But what about that dangerous opener? It would be foolish to overlook Montana State. If the Ducks were playing any other FCS team, this would be a one-line preview.
But the Bobcats are worthy. They finished 15-1 last year and lost in the championship game by three points. MSU is a strong team with a solid offensive line and a good defense.
The problem is that they lost quarterback Tommy Mellott to the NFL Draft, and are unproven at the receiver position. This spells disaster against an angry UO squad.
Oregon decimates them, but Montana State should still be respected.
Oregon 45, Montana State 14
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Georgia Southern at Fresno State
Saturday, August 30th
6:00 PM PT, FS1
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Week One proved to be a reality check for Fresno State, but it’s also a little distorted.
Even though the Bulldogs got handled in Lawrence, it should’ve been expected. Kansas started 2-6 last year, and they weren’t gonna lose their home opener.
This matchup is actually the crucial one. If FSU can win, the season still holds a lot of promise. A loss here and Fresno’s pretty screwed.
Although Georgia Southern is slightly favored, the Bulldogs are likely more talented. E.J. Warner’s gonna get it right.
And it could be this week because the Eagles’ best defensive back, Marques Watson-Trent, is gone, and they struggle to pressure the quarterback.
GS finished 8-5 (6-2) last season, so they’re not a slouch. Former USC head man Clay Helton is the coach, and whether he’s respected or not, he’s been around the circuit.
But Matt Entz is a two-time FCS National Champion and should understand the importance of this game.
Sorry, Cole Swindell, Bulldogs by six.
Fresno State 27, Georgia Southern 21
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Idaho at Washington State
Saturday, August 30th
7:00 PM PT, The CW
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Washington State opens its 2025 campaign against Idaho on Saturday in another edition of “The Battle of the Palouse.”
Although this rivalry is not widely known, it’s one of the oldest in the West. One reason for the matchup is the proximity of the two schools: Pullman and Moscow are basically the same place.
For the Cougars, this is an opportunity to figure out who they are. WSU has a new Head Coach, Jimmy Rogers, and this rivalry has to be a weird way to start.
Idaho is an FCS school, but they were undefeated at home last season and gave eventual Big Ten Champion Oregon a scare in Eugene.
WSU should hold the talent advantage, but everything’s new. Zevi Eckhaus is the Cougs’ starting quarterback, and he looked solid in the Holiday Bowl.
Angel Johnson is back from his spring injury and is hoping to be the star Washington State needs at the halfback position. Wazzu will have six transfer starters on defense from South Dakota State.
The Cougs will win their opening matchup on the wheatfield.
Washington State 28, Idaho 17
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Cal at Oregon State
Saturday, August 30th
7:30 PM PT, ESPN
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Oregon State is hoping to reinvigorate its program after a disappointing 2024 season.
The most notable move the Beavers made is bringing in Maalik Murphy, a transfer from Duke, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 mark in 2024.
Murphy should provide a spark for OSU’s passing attack, which finished 94th a year ago.
For Cal, things need to change. Entering his 10th year, head coach Justin Wilcox has yet to find his groove with the Golden Bears, having posted an overall record of 42-50, with just two winning seasons to date.
This year isn’t going to get any easier. California’s offense will look substantially different after losing several notable playmakers in the transfer portal.
The departure of Fernando Mendoza and Jaydn Ott probably hurt the most, but several other guys left gaping holes, including tight end Jack Endries. The Bears also have to replace their entire secondary.
Cal’s lack of playmakers, Reser Stadium, and Murphy should prove enough for OSU to win their opening contest.
Oregon State 31, Cal 20
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Hawai’i at Arizona
Saturday, August 30th
7:30 PM PT, TNT/HBO Max
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Arizona should be favored in this game, but the line seems a bit disrespectful to Hawaii. FanDuel currently has the Wildcats listed as (-17.5) favorites.
The ankle injury to Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado probably has something to do with the betting line, but UH figures to give the Wildcats a good fight.
The Bows won their first game and have a ton of returning production from last season. Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle are experienced wideouts for UH. Jackson Harris also performed well in the opener.
The problem for Hawaii is the Wildcats’ secondary. UA’s passing defense is veteran-laden and should be able to limit the Bows’ receivers.
Dalton Johnson, Treydan Stukes, and Genesis Smith have seen better receivers throughout their careers. The Cats also added a solid corner in Michael Dansby through the transfer portal.
Arizona’s offense should score enough points with Noah Fifita leading the way. The Wildcats also brought in transfer Ismail Mahdi at halfback, who is expected to provide production.
Hawai’i keeps it close but never actually threatens. The Cats are starving right now.
Arizona 30, Hawai’i 17
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Utah at UCLA
Saturday, August 30th
8:00 PM PT, FOX
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The main story surrounding this contest will be the play of Nico Iamaleava, who was one of the biggest storylines in the offseason with his transfer from Tennessee to UCLA.
He’ll be thrown into the fire immediately, going against Utah and a Morgan Scalley-led defense. It should prove difficult for Iamaleava as the Bruins roster features 57 new players.
UCLA hopes to continue its staunch run defense under coordinator Ikaika Malloe. His defense only allowed 96.2 yards per game on the ground in 2024, ranking sixth nationally. This is paramount against the Utes.
Utah will be breaking in a new but experienced quarterback in Devon Dampier. The New Mexico transfer is a dangerous dual-threat option, but he may not be ready for the Rose Bowl spotlight.
Last season, he threw for 2,768 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. Those 12 interceptions are concerning, considering they came against weaker competition.
Kyle Whittingham has won in the Rose Bowl too many times, but that’s before college players were getting paychecks.
The Bruins win due to the experience at the quarterback position.
UCLA 27, Utah 24
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Colorado State at Washington
Saturday, August 30th
8:00 PM PT, Big Ten Network
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Washington should win this game. But these are both teams we cover from the West, so we’ll show Colorado State some love.
The Huskies hope this contest is their first win in their quest to rebound from last year. UW had an unusual transition to the Big Ten, but hopes to right the ship this season.
Washington is led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who is lightning fast and adds an element to the Huskies’ offense that was missing for most of last season.
Complementing him is halfback Jonah Coleman, who could be the most underrated halfback in the country. Coleman cannot be tackled single-handedly.
The Dawgs also return Denzel Boston at receiver.
For the Rams, it’s all about Brayden Fowler-Nicolos, a solid quarterback who threw for 2,796 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and nine interceptions in 2024.
The problem is that nearly all of his top receivers from a year ago are no longer with the team, including Tory Horton. That, combined with a thin front seven, spells trouble for CSU.
Washington runs through the Rams.
Washington 49, Colorado State 10
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