Cal at Virginia Tech

Friday, October 24
4:30 PM PT, ESPN

It wasn’t pretty, but California got a clutch victory against North Carolina last week. The win keeps them in the ACC race as they enter the final five games of the regular season.

If either Duke or Georgia Tech loses a game, the Golden Bears control their own destiny to the conference title.

Cal’s season has proven predictably unpredictable, but they should be able to handle Virginia Tech. The Hokies have looked better since the firing of Brent Pry, posting a 2-2 record.

VT is favored by four and a half points, but these are the type of matchups the Bears need to win if they want to be reputable.

One area where Cal should be able to take advantage of Virginia Tech is on defense. Outside of Kyron Drones, the Hokies don’t have much firepower on offense.

Drones has thrown for 1,397 yards, 11 touchdowns, and five interceptions. He’s also added 277 yards and five touchdowns on the ground. They also have a formidable duo at halfback in Marcellous Hawkins and Terion Stewart.

The Hokies rank 98th nationally, scoring 23 points per game. VT ranks 10th in points allowed per game on defense.

Berkeley doesn’t accept mediocre students, and they shouldn’t accept mediocre football.

The Bears stay golden.

Cal 28, Virginia Tech 24

UCLA at No. 2 Indiana

Saturday, October 25
9:00 AM PT, FOX

I thought about picking an upset in this matchup, but I’m not doubting Indiana twice. I thought Oregon was going to wipe Indiana all the way to East Chicago.

The key to this matchup for UCLA is protecting the ball. Nico Iamaleava had three turnovers against Maryland, which will spell doom against the Hoosiers.

The Bruins should also continue to be aggressive. Iamaleava’s proven he can win games, and UCLA has nothing to lose.

Indiana ranks 23rd in pass yards allowed per game, so they’re not perfect. The Bruins also have a solid pass defense, ranking 21st. LA will also need to find a way to stop Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza has become a monster at IU. He’s thrown for 1,755 yards, 21 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has a multitude of skill players at his disposal.

Indiana’s halfback duo of Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby has combined for 871 rushing yards and five touchdowns. They also have two wideouts who each have about 600 yards receiving.

The Bruins will need to continue to be productive on the ground, which could help keep the Hoosier offense off the field.

I’ve been known to fake foreshadowing, but I told you what was happening in the first line.

IU gets it done.   

Indiana 42, UCLA 21

Utah State at New Mexico

Saturday, October 25
12:00 PM PT, MW Network

This matchup is unique because of the Bronco Mendenhall dynamic. Mendenhall left New Mexico for Utah State in the off-season, in a move that felt premature to Lobos fans.

They could get revenge this week by turning University Stadium into a rock concert.

The key when facing Utah State, per usual, is stopping their offense. Bryson Barnes has proven to be a terror this season, having thrown for 1,644 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has also added 363 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

The Aggies are 40th nationally in points scored per game. That should prove concerning for UNM because they rank 114th in pass yards allowed nationally. USU’s passing offense ranks 39th in yards per game.

Flipping the field, Jack Layne is the true definition of a college signal-caller. Layne looks awful at times and mesmerizing at others. He’s thrown for 1,415 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Utah State ranks 125th in pass yards allowed per game, so he’s gotta do it in this matchup. The Aggies also struggle against the run, ranking 111th nationally in yards allowed per game.

Everyone wants a happy ending, but New Mexico skips the massage.

The Aggies crash Albuquerque.

Utah State 35, New Mexico 28

No. 23 Illinois at Washington

Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, Big Ten Network

Washington’s a tricky team to predict. Jedd Fisch hasn’t won any big games as head coach of the Huskies, but they’re also good enough that they should probably beat Illinois.

The key for UW in this matchup is stopping Luke Altmyer. He is an extremely reliable quarterback who ranks ninth in passing efficiency and sixth nationally in completion percentage. He’s thrown for 1,821 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one interception.

The Illini feature the 38th-ranked passing offense, and are 37th nationally in points scored per game.

The Dawgs should be able to lock in on Altmyer because the U of I struggles to run the ball. They rank 111th nationally in rushing yards per game. The Huskies rank 20th in rushing yards allowed, so they’ll likely be able to make the Illini one-dimensional.

On offense, Demond Williams Jr. needs a bounce-back performance. Williams Jr. threw three interceptions in the Huskies’ loss last week against Michigan.

Illinois ranks 95th in passing yards allowed per game, so he should take some shots. UW’s pass defense also struggles, ranking 89th nationally. U of I has a mediocre defense, and the Huskies are hungry.

Mediocre won’t get it done in Seattle.

Washington 38, Illinois 24

No. 11 BYU at Iowa State

Saturday, October 25
12:30 pm PT, FOX

This has the potential to be a huge trap game for BYU. Iowa State’s better than their Big 12 record indicates, and they’re still fighting for a return to the conference championship.

The key for the Cyclones is finding a way to chip through the Cougar offensive line. BYU ranks second in the Big 12 in rushing yards per game, and they’ve only allowed six sacks all season.

A player like defensive end Ikenna Ezeogu might need to have a “POTW” type of game. Ezeogu has three sacks on the year.

Another way to compete against the Cougs is to score early points. BYU only allows 15.6 points per game, 14th nationally, so if they find a rhythm early, it might be hard to break through.

The Cougars’ pass defense ranks 21st, while their rush defense is 40th in yards allowed per game. ISU ranks 59th in rushing yards per contest, but they gotta do a bit more in this matchup to keep BYU real.

Iowa State’s halfback duo of Abu Sama and Carson Hansen has rushed for a combined 829 yards and six touchdowns. Rocco Becht’s a reliable veteran, the type of signal caller needed to right the flow in a big moment.

Cy pecks Cosmo into submission.

Iowa State 27, BYU 21

San Diego State at Fresno State

Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, FS1

As a faux Cali dude, I’m intrigued by this game. Except for the state flag, these schools have little in common in a rivalry known as the “Old Oil Can.”

The key for Fresno State in this contest should be stopping Jayden Denegal. Denegal got off to a slow start this year, but has performed well in the Aztecs’ last two matchups.

In his last two, Denegal’s stat line reads: 27 of 33, 461 passing yards, and four passing touchdowns. Stopping him is crucial for slowing down Sean Lewis’ Aztec Fast offense.

SDSU ranks 55th in points scored per game. San Diego State’s defense is also prominent; it’s actually the stronger unit. The Aztecs only allow 12.2 points per contest, ranking fifth nationally. 

SDSU may be able to force Bulldogs quarterback E.J. Warner into a few turnovers. Warner can move the ball, but he throws a lot of interceptions. He’s thrown nine on the year.

Two players to know on defense for the Aztecs are Trey White and Owen Chambliss. Fresno State needs to use its halfback duo of Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson to slow them down.

The Aztecs are favored by a couple of points, but the Valley’s a scrappy place.

Victor E. Bulldog gets a victory.

Fresno State 31, SDSU 21

Wisconsin at No. 6 Oregon

Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM PT, FS1

This is a tough matchup for Wisconsin,  as the Badgers have multiple things working against them.

Oregon lost to Indiana two weeks ago, they almost lost in Madison last year, and they want to enter their bye week with a dub.

Things get worse for UW. Starting quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is questionable, and backup Danny O’Neil also isn’t at full health. This is troubling because Wisconsin’s offense struggles even at its best, ranking 134th in points scored per contest.

They also rank near the bottom of the nation in passing yards allowed per game. If the Badgers are going to pull off a cheesy upset, they’ll need standout performances from Dilin Jones, Vinny Anthony, and Lance Mason.

UW’s been outscored 122-20 in Big Ten play this season. They need anything they can get.

Oregon has gotta keep it simple. As porous as the Badgers are, they do have a good run defense, ranking 18th in rushing yards allowed per game. The Ducks can wear them down by getting multiple backs involved.

Wisconsin’s defense will probably be on the field a lot.  UW won’t compete in this matchup.

The Badgers drown in Autzen.

Oregon 45, Wisconsin 10

Stanford at No. 9 Miami

Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM PT, ESPN

Stanford’s victory over Florida State was pretty shocking, but not unexpected. It’s a pivotal win, ushering in the Andrew Luck era of Cardinal football.

Stanford’s been all over the place this year, but one notable from their victory against Florida State was their defense. The Tree held FSU to 13.

If the Cardinal can perform at a similar clip against the Hurricanes, it’ll give them a chance to compete. UM’s offense isn’t quite as good as the Noles’, but they feature the 13th-ranked scoring defense.

If Stanford wants to pull off the upset, they’ll need Ben Gulbranson to play better. Gulbranson’s proven to be inconsistent in their last two outings, throwing for 1,535 yards, seven touchdowns, and five interceptions this season.

Miami will look to take advantage of a Stanford offense that lacks identity and ranks 122nd in points scored per game. If they can stop the Tree at the beginning of this contest, it could help them build an insurmountable lead.

It would also give Carson Beck confidence. Beck’s just been alright this year. Malachi Toney is another player to watch at wideout.

Sometimes it’s when you play someone rather than the actual opponent.

Stanford won’t surprise the Alligator State twice.

Miami 42, Stanford 17

Houston at No. 24 Arizona State

Saturday, October 25
5:00 pm PT, ESPN2

This matchup took a massive shift due to the injury of Jordyn Tyson. He might be the best receiver in the West, and his absence should allow Houston to simplify their defensive game plan.

The Cougars are 27th in points allowed per game, and they’ll likely be able to capitalize without Tyson there. For a counterpunch, ASU will need to get a wide variety of players involved on offense.

Chamon Metayer could be one of those guys. Metayer has 226 receiving yards at tight end this year. They’ll also need Sam Leavitt and Raleek Brown to overperform.

Flipping the page, UH has taken a huge leap forward on offense this year due to the emergence of Conner Weigman. He will need to play well because Dean Connors might struggle at halfback.

Arizona State is stingy against the run, ranking 27th in yards allowed per contest. They rank 59th in pass yards allowed per game.

Rounding out the Cougars’ trio is Amare Thomas at wideout. Thomas has 510 receiving yards and four touchdowns this season.

From a logical standpoint, Houston should probably win this game, but Tempe’s never relied on logic.

Sparky burns one.

Arizona State 27, Houston 17

Colorado at Utah

Saturday, October 25
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

These two teams are similar, but different. Both coaches are elite in their opposing styles. Deion Sanders is a Super Bowl Champion. Kyle Whittingham ranks fifth among active coaches in wins.

Both squads also have Group of Five transfer quarterbacks, who’ve done enough, but haven’t done enough. And both teams are fighting for their season in this matchup.

The key should be if Utah’s defense holds steady. Colorado’s offense has struggled this year, ranking 89th in points scored per contest, while U of U ranks 12th in points allowed per game.

Kaidon Salter’s going to need to mature now, because it doesn’t get much tougher than facing a Morgan Scalley-led defense in Salt Lake City.

One area where the Buffaloes might find success is on the ground. Even though the Utes have a solid defense, they’ve struggled against the run this year, ranking 75th nationally in rushing yards allowed per game.

CU isn’t known for running the ball, but if Micah Welch can get going, it could help calm down Salter. They’ll need to score points because U of U is 12th in the nation in points scored per game.

The Buffs caught Utah at an unholy time, and they’re gonna pay.

The MUSS strikes again. 

Utah 38, Colorado 20