Posted on October 25, 2024
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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. On the season, I’m still a solid 54-26, 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 raisons here in the South Shore District of Seattle.
The box is almost empty, so let’s get on with the picks!
No. 17 Boise State at UNLV
Friday, October 25
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
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 and 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
Rutgers at USC
Friday, October 25
8:00 pm PT, FOX
USC enters the contest after a humiliating loss against Maryland. The Trojans have now blown four second-half leads this year including the 14-point advantage against the Terrapins.
The key for the Trojans should be stopping Kyle Monangai. Rutgers is an offense that 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 and that’s not happening to USC in year one.
Traveler course corrects.
USC 42, Rutgers 24
Washington at No. 13 Indiana
Saturday, October 26
9:00 am PT, Big Ten Network
In this contest hopping out to an early lead to get Will Rogers’ 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 mid of West, Indiana enters this contest with their backup quarterback due to the injury to Kurtis Rourke. 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
No. 20 Illinois at No. 1 Oregon
Saturday, October 26
12:30 pm PT, CBS
UO is a complete team but they do have some injuries to deal with 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 in to keep the game close.
They might keep it close, but they won’t win, not in Autzen.
Ducks cruise.
Oregon 45, Illinois 20
No. 11 BYU at UCF
Saturday, October 26
12:30 pm PT, ESPN
BYU enters this contest with all the hype but they lucked out last week. If there had not been an injury to Oklahoma State starting quarterback Garret Rangel 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, who’s a talented receiver and has 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
Oregon State at Cal
Saturday, October 26
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2
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 in desperate need of a home-cooked meal.
The key for Cal in this contest is to win the game. The Golden Bears are the more talented team and they have no excuse to let this one slide. If Cal loses this one they need to fire Justin Wilcox. No more putzing around the issue.
For Oregon State, last week served as a reality check. The Beavers are a good team but 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 playmaker at wideout 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
Utah at Houston
Saturday, October 26
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+
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 hasn’t been able to 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’s averaging 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
West Virginia at Arizona
Saturday, October 26
4:00 pm PT, ESPN+
The Mountaineers enter this contest on a two-game losing streak but proved formidable the two games prior, knocking off Oklahoma State and Kansas.
The key for WV should prove their running game. The Mountaineers boast the 33 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 also benefit from getting the ball to other receivers outside of 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
San Jose State at Fresno State
Saturday, October 26
5:00 pm PT, truTV
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 middle of the street both 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 he doesn’t seem to be out from an injury.
Keene may be struggling with turnovers but that’s better than turnover at the QB position.
Fresno wins the Battle for the Valley.
Fresno State 31, SJSU 24
Cincinnati at Colorado
Saturday, October 26
7:15 pm PT, ESPN
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 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
Washington State at San Diego State
Saturday, October 26
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
The Cougars “D” has only allowed 27 points 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’ve 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, being undefeated in conference.
For SDSU to pull off the upset against their future conference foe, they’ll need to score some damn points. The Aztecs are only averaging 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
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