Top Games

San Jose State at Washington State

Friday, Sept. 20
7:00 pm PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Washington State –13.5
Over/Under Point Total: 55.5

The Cougs will look to keep it going, but this week will not be easy. San Jose State is 9-1 in their last 10 games and off to an impressive 3-0 start under Ken Niumatalolo.

Nick Nash leads the nation in receptions and receiving yards.

San Jose State wins if…they force turnovers. The Spartans lead the nation with 10 takeaways this season, the third most in MW history after three games. WSU has only lost two turnovers this season.

Washington State wins if…John Mateer can continue to make plays. The QB has only completed 53% of his passes but has made numerous plays with his legs. His 19.2 yards per completion ranks as the most in the nation.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: San Jose State
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Washington State

Eastern Washington at Nevada

Saturday, Sept. 21
Noon PT, Mtn West Network

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Nevada –9.5
Over/Under Point Total: NA

The Wolf Pack need this one to salvage a 2-3 start in what could have been so much better.

Eastern Washington wins if…the Eagles can run the ball effectively. EWU is running for 187 yards per game, if they can continue to chew up yards on the ground, they’ll have a chance against the FBS opponent. Nevada allows 4.4 per carry.

Nevada wins if…they don’t have a letdown. The Wolf Pack have played well in three of their first four games and even showed some signs last week in Minneapolis. The pack are the better team; take care of business and get ready for the conference slate.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Nevada
Outright winner: Nevada

UTEP at Colorado State

Saturday, Sept. 21
2:00 pm PT, truTV

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Colorado State –9.5
Over/Under Point Total: 50.5

They also can’t afford to commit as many penalties as they did last week.

UTEP wins if…the Miners force miscues and shorten the field. CSU opponents have come away with a TD on every trip to the red zone this season. If the Miners can move the ball they could have scoring opportunities.

Colorado State wins if…the Rams run the ball. UTEP is 124th in the nation against the run, the Rams have been up and down running the ball this season. Establish the ground game early and the offense will click.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Colorado State
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Colorado State

Wyoming at North Texas

Saturday, Sept. 21
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: North Texas –9
Over/Under Point Total: 55.5

The Cowboys have not looked good at all this season.

UNT is coming off a bad outing against Texas Tech but looked good in their opening two wins.

Wyoming wins if…the Cowboys can get the running game going, and that won’t be easy. If they get anything going on the ground—anything at all—maybe they can find themselves again?

North Texas wins if…they keep the offense rolling. The Mean Green are averaging 36.0 points per outing. Wyoming will not be able to match the UNT offensive output if they are firing on all cylinders.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: North Texas
Points total: Under 
Outright winner: North Texas

Fresno State at New Mexico

Saturday, Sept. 21
5:30 pm PT truTV

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Fresno State –15.5
Over/Under Point Total: 61.5

The Bulldogs are looking to stake their claim as a contender—if not the favorite—for the MW title. They can’t stumble in this one.

The Lobos are looking to show they are one of the most improved teams in the nation, a win over the Bulldogs would go a long way to prove that.

Fresno State wins if…they limit the big plays by the Lobos, especially against the run. UNM has 21 explosive run plays this season, the 18th most in the nation. Take away those plays and make the Lobos beat you with the pass.

New Mexico wins if…they play a little bit of defense. The offense is explosive, but the defense has not been able to stop anyone—ranking 133rd in the nation allowing 565.7 yards per game.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Fresno State
Points total: Over
Outright winner: Fresno State

Portland State at Boise State

Saturday, Sept. 21
6:45 pm PT, FS1

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Boise State –38.5
Over/Under Point Total: 69.5

Portland State is just happy to be back on the field after canceling last week’s game against South Dakota due to a whooping cough outbreak.

Portland State wins if…well, actually, they can’t and will not win. Just get healthy and have enough players to play this one and we can call that a victory.

Boise State wins if…the Broncos feed the ball to Ashton Jeanty. (Well, they don’t have to do that to win, but I want to see it.) He is tied for the national lead with six TDs while averaging 229.5 yards per game.

Pad those stats early for the Heisman hopeful in a limited role in this one.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Boise State
Points total: Over
Outright winner: Boise State

Northern Iowa at Hawai’i

Saturday, Sept. 21
9:00 pm PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Hawai’i –8.5
Over/Under Point Total: 48.5

Hawaii needs to win this one to build momentum on what was looking like it should be a promising season.

Northern Iowa wins if…they can make UH one-dimensional. If the Panthers can force the Warriors to run the ball they could be in this one in the end.

Hawai’i wins if…the offense gets going. The Warriors only managed 308 yards of offense in their loss last week. UH should have the players to dominate this one, and they need to make it happen.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Hawai’i
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Hawai’i

Best Bets

Utah State at Temple

Saturday, Sept. 21
11:00 am PT, ESPN+

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Utah State –6.5
Over/Under Point Total: 51.5

The Aggies are 1-2 and the defense has looked terrible. The Owls are 0-3 and the offense has struggled. Something’s got to give in this must-win for both teams.

Temple is allowing 39 points per game and the offense has been bad. Take the Aggies even as the road favorite on the East Coast. Temple won’t score enough points for the over to hit…It stays under.

Utah State wins if…they throw the ball. The Aggies will exploit a Temple passing defense that has also struggled. Bryson Barnes and Jalen Royals should light it up.

Temple wins if…the Owls can put some pressure on Barnes. Temple’s defense will need to slow down the Aggies. Getting into the backfield is going to be their best bet.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Utah State
Points total: Under
Outright winner: Utah State

Purdue at Oregon State

Saturday, Sept. 21
5:30 pm PT, The CW

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line: Oregon State –4.5
Over/Under Point Total: 50.5

The Beavs fell to Oregon. The Boilermakers got railroaded and embarrassed by Notre Dame.

Purdue is a bad team; I don’t think OSU is. How this is only a 4.5-point spread in Corvallis is beyond me.

Purdue wins if…Hudson Card is effective at QB. He was 24-25 vs Indiana State, but completed just 11 of 21 vs Notre Dame. He needs to complete closer to 70% than 40% if the Boilers are to stand any chance.

Oregon State wins if…they run the ball. Purdue gave up 362 yards on the ground last week. OSU averages 243.3 per game on the ground. Let the offensive line take this one over.

—My Picks—
Against the spread: Oregon State
Points total:  Under
Outright winner: Oregon State

Stephen Vilardo’s Mountain West + Pac-12 Game Picks

2024 Week 4 MW + Pac-2 Games	Straight-Up Picks
SJSU at Washington State Sept 20, 7:00 pm PT	WSU
Utah State at Temple Sept 21, 11:00 am PT	Utah State
Eastern Washington at Nevada Sept 21, 12:00 pm PT	Nevada
UTEP at Colorado State Sept 21, 2:00 pm PT	Colorado State
Wyoming at North Texas Sept 21, 4:00 pm PT	North Texas
Fresno State at New Mexico Sept 21, 5:30 pm PT	Fresno State
Purdue at Oregon State Sept 21, 5:30 pm PT	Oregon State
Portland State at Boise State Sept 21, 6:45 pm PT	Boise State
Northern Iowa at Hawai’i Sept 21, 9:00 pm PT	Hawai’i
Vilardo’s Overall MW + Pac-12 Record	29-3 (91%)

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (Available in the US)
Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY)
Call 1-800-327-5050 (MA)

21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Rewards are non-withdrawable bonus bets that expire in 7 days. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. See BetMGM.com for Terms. US promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario, or Puerto Rico. First Bet Offer up to $1500*. *Bonus Bets Expire in 7 Days. One New Customer Offer Only. Add’l terms.