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 an impressive 8-2. So where did I go wrong? BYU surprised everyone in taking down Kansas State and Stanford shocked Syracuse. Who saw those upsets coming?

On the season, I’m a solid 30-10, good for 75 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 Barbecue Fritos here in the South Shore District of Seattle.

The bag is almost empty, so let’s get on with the picks!

Washington at Rutgers

Friday, September 27
5:00 pm PT, FOX

I’m a bit 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Rutgers -3

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.

But 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Baylor -3.5

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, on most sports highlight shows, Colorado is a main feature, even though they have a similar resume to the Knights.

The key to this contest will be the play of the Buffaloes’ defensive, and 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 decides to start 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  UCF -14

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 as well. Marks is a dual-threat option, which adds an extra stressor to opposing defenses.

Wisconsin switched their style under second-year offensive coordinator Phil Longo, which means they actually pass 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  USC -14.5

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 their last three games, opening their season with an impressive showing but ultimately a loss 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 and this could prove troubling for a middle-of-the-street secondary.

Trouble is fun, but getting caught isn’t, FSU arrests UNLV.

Fresno State 38, UNLV 31

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  UNLV -3.5

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 is this time?  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 as the Cardinal is trying to make a name for themselves 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 put at least 30 points on the board 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Clemson -21.5

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 the hell 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Air Force -3.5

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 be an indicator of 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 with his shifty moves. Mateer has not only run for 425 yards and five touchdowns, he’s proven 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, w ho has rushed for 596 yards, nine touchdowns, and is averaging 10.5 yards per carry.

But the key to this contest could be BSU quarterback Maddux Madsen. If Madsen can make a few timely throws, the Broncos should be fine.

But fine isn’t legendary, and Mateer is writing his. Cougs win a close one.

Washington State 31, Boise State 30

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Boise State -7.5

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.

The year prior, he took his Utes to the Coliseum and won with a third-string quarterback, who’s now a backup at Utah State.

Per usual, Utah is led by a dominant defense that is only allowing 13 points per game. Their offense is led by a solid trio of players in halfback Micah Bernard, wideout Dorian Singer, and tight end Brant Kuithe.

Arizona needs to 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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Utah -11.5

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

BETMGMSPORTSBOOK Line:  Oregon -24

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