Wyoming at UNLV

Friday, November 10
7:45 pm PT, FS1

This is the biggest game UNLV has had in a little bit, literally since 1984.

The Rebels enter this matchup with an opportunity to put themselves directly in the top three of the Mountain West. If they’re going to do so, they need to jump out early.

With all due respect, UNLV doesn’t have any meaningful wins this season, and if Wyoming rides them fast, they could disintegrate.

For the Cowboys, it’s all about their “D.” Nothing is worse than an ugly game for a home team reliant on offense, particularly in an empty stadium.

If Wyoming’s quarterback Andrew Peasley finds some consistency, them Boys could be tough. The Rebels offensive is good but not good enough.

Cowboys be wylin.

Wyoming 27, UNLV 24

No. 21 Arizona at Colorado

Saturday, November 11
11:00 am PT, Pac-12

I’ve picked against Arizona the last two weeks and they’ve quieted my soul. With the Wildcats victories against Oregon State and UCLA, they should be considered legit.

The combination of Noah Fifita, Tetairoa McMillan, and Jonah Coleman has proven a nice balance on offense.

AZ’s scoring-stopper unit ranks 28th in the nation, and if Colorado would like to compete in this game, they’ll need to match Arizona’s physicality.

The Buffaloes couldn’t protect Shedeur Sanders at all against UCLA, which means we could have a sequel against the Cats. If the Buffs don’t protect upfront Shedeur’s gonna feel it.

Shedeur’s gonna feel it, Arizona by 14.

Arizona 35, Colorado 21

No. 18 Utah at No. 5 Washington

Saturday, November 11
12:30 pm PT, Fox

Upset alert. Upset alert.

Even though Utah’s offense lacks explosive playmakers, their style could be tricky for Washington.

The Utah offensive looked good last week against an improved Arizona State defense, and they’ll likely need at least two touchdowns against the Huskies.

If the Utes want to win this game, they’ll need Devaughn Vele to be a superstar.

The Dawgs better respect the two-time defending champs. As much fun as last week’s contest was against USC, Utah’s different.

The main priority for UW should be protecting Michael Penix Jr. If he has time, the Huskies should be comfortable enough.

What is comfort anyway? Dawgs by catorce.

Washington 38, Utah 24

Washington State at California

Saturday, November 11
1:00 pm PT, ESPN2

Why? Why did Washington State lose to Arizona? Then Oregon? Then Arizona State, and finally Stanford?

When I started my college career in 2009, the Cougars were 1-11 and this season feels worse. For all the talk from Jake Dickert about the Cougs belonging in a power conference, well, they don’t, and it’s too late to apologize.

I don’t want to hate on California anymore. The whole year I’ve talked about how they love to compete but don’t like to win, I also may have slighted Justin Wilcox as overrated. And while I feel that’s true, and I could be nicer,

I’ve found a new-old victim. I think they call them Washington State Cougin-its.

Golden Bears by one.

California 28, Washington State 27

Stanford at No. 12 Oregon State

Saturday, November 11
2:30 pm PT, Pac-12

This matchup does not line up well for Stanford. Even though the Cardinal were able to outlast WSU, they’re facing the Pac-2 Champions this week.

For Stanford to have a chance, they need to be able to stop Oregon State’s rushing attack. The Beavers rank 29th nationally in running yards per game and are much easier to stop when one-dimensional.

The Cardinal would also benefit from a couple of plays from wideout Elic Ayomanor.

The Beavers need to assert themselves. The Cardinal have the 41st-ranked defense against the run, but from an identity standpoint, OSU should control the tempo.

Stanford may have improved, but OSU has been improving for four years.

Benny wins.

Oregon State 35, Stanford 17

San Diego State at Colorado State

Saturday, November 11
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports

Bro, how the frick did San Diego State get so bad? It felt like just last year the Aztecs were outside favorites to win the Mountain West title and now they’re arguably the worst team in conference.

So far this year, SDSU has already lost to Nevada and Utah State, and they almost lost to Hawaii. This feels more about culture than football at this point.

Colorado State still has an opportunity to finish .500, but they gotta win out. This game is an opportunity for Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and Tory Horton to prove they’re more than a feel-good story.

The Rams culture also feels better. A dead program in a dead stadium feels dead.

CSU keeps growing.

Colorado State 30, San Diego State 20

Arizona State at UCLA

Saturday, November 11
6:00 pm PT, Pac-12

This is a game of who the hell will have the better quarterback. UCLA lost both Ethan Garbers and Dante Moore in the loss against Arizona, which means Collin Schlee will likely be the guy.

Across State lines, Trenton Bourguet left the game in Arizona State’s loss against Utah and now the Sun Devils are projected to start fourth-stringer Jacob Conover.

So what this leaves us with is who’s the more complete team? And that’s probably the Bruins. Carson Steele is a strong running back and UCLA’s scoring defense is still ranked 16th in the nation.

It also doesn’t help that ASU’s entire line is hurt.

Bruins in a weird one.

UCLA 30, Arizona State 13

New Mexico at Boise State

Saturday, November 11
7:00 pm PT, FS1

This late-season matchup feels pretty uneventful guys. Boise State is not who they used to be but they’re good enough that this should be an easy win.

New Mexico’s scoring defense is ranked 125th nationally and this should prove a good opportunity for Maddux Madsen to find his rhythm.

Even though the Broncos defense has struggled this season I’d expect them to shut down the Lobos. The one argument I can make for UNM is that they did play Wyoming tough in Laramie so they might dig the West.

It’s a little colder this time of year though, too cold for Lobos.

Boise wins a normal one.

Boise State 38, New Mexica 20

Iowa State at BYU

Saturday, November 11
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

This is a tricky one. This contest is probably BYU’s most realistic chance to make a bowl this season. It should also prove interesting to see how the Cougars play as they feel in the midst of an identity crisis.

The problem for the Cougs is Iowa State’s defense. The Cyclones scoring defense ranks 32nd in the country which should prove tough for BYU. The Cougars offense has scored a combined 13 points in the last two games.

For ISU, Rocco Becht has shown enough credibility to lead me to believe he can compete in Provo. Becht’s thrown for 1,198 yards and 13 touchdowns on the year.

The Cougs are 4-0 at LaVell Edwards Stadium this year but they’ll be 4-1 by the end of Saturday.

Cyclones in a storm.

Iowa State 26, BYU 23

Fresno State at San Jose State

Saturday, November 11
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports

If anyone’s going to knock Fresno State out of the Mountain West Championship Game, it’s going to be their Silicon Valley rivals.

The Bulldogs host New Mexico before traveling to San Diego after their contest with the Spartans.

SJSU should probably just air it out. This game could be Chevan Cordeiro’s moment with the Spartans but he’s gotta be dominant.

FSU has the more complete team right to left, but San Jose State is feeling frisky. Either way, it’s gonna be a lot of fun watching Brent Brennan coach against Jeff Tedford.

Someone’s gonna score. And both of them are going to do it in different ways. But Mikey Keene’s going to do it better than Cordeiro.

Bulldogs get it done.

Fresno State 41, San Jose State 28

USC at No. 6 Oregon

Saturday, November 11
7:30 pm PT, Fox

Caleb Williams deserves respect for continuing to play with his teammates. I feel like a lot of young men in his situation would sit it out. But since he’s not, I feel like we got a real game.

For USC, the only question is how bad their defense will perform in this outing. With the firing of Alex Grinch, there may be newfound momentum but that’s not enough against a focused Bo Nix offense.

The Ducks are also complemented by running back Bucky Irving and wideouts Tez Johnson and Troy Franklin.

I respect the heart of Williams but sometimes it’s just better to sit it out. He probably won’t put up 50 and SC probably won’t stop anyone.

UO doesn’t screw up.

Oregon 45, USC 31

Air Force at Hawai’i

Saturday, November 11
8:00 pm PT, Spectrum Sports

To round out Week 11, we got a bounceback game for Air Force. No one saw the Army upset coming but the Falcons still have an opportunity to win the Mountain West.

It feels unlikely that Hawaii will be able to compete in this outing but maybe the Black Knights exposed the Falcons system-based offense.

When double-checking to see if Hawaii’s run defense was any good I skipped to the final page and found the Rainbow Warriors.

It feels unlikely they’ll be able to stop AFA’s top-ranked rushing offense.

Enjoy the weather, Air Force flies.

Air Force 31, Hawai’i 17