Air Force at Boise State

Friday, November 24
1:00 pm PT, FS1

In the midst of the weirdest year ever for Boise State, they still have the opportunity to make the Mountain West Championship. For Interim Coach Spencer Danielson, this is his shot.

If the Broncos are going to compete in this matchup they’ll need to to move the chains on first downs. They enter this contest 22nd in the nation in conversion percentage.

Air Force needs to find their defensive mojo again. The Falcons’ stopper unit has allowed a combined 81 points, their season average is just above 17 points per game.

AFA would also benefit from getting out to an early lead to keep confidence up from their losing streak. In the midst of the weirdest year ever for Boise, they still have the opportunity to make the Mountain West Title Game.

Winners win, Broncos by three.

Boise State 27, Air Force 24

No. 16 Oregon State at No. 6 Oregon

Friday, November 24
5:30 pm PT, FOX

If Oregon doesn’t win this game they have no one to blame but “The Duck.”

The Ducks enter this contest as the hottest team out of the SuperWest 25, No. 6 in the nation, and boast a Heisman Trophy Candidate.

Combine that with the embarrassment Oregon State handed the Ducks in last year’s walkabout, and the diggin’s right for a blowout.

The Beavers will look to control the game with their offensive line. OSU relies heavily on their 22nd-ranked rushing attack to set up their passing offense.

If Oregon State can’t control the likes of Brandon Dorlus and Popo Aumavae their receivers must win quickly against a talented Oregon secondary.

The Beavers have come a long way, but they’re still on their walkabout.

Ducks win comfortably-close.

Oregon 35, Oregon State 20

San Jose State at UNLV

Saturday, November 25
12:00 pm PT, Mountain West Network

There was one thing I forgot to mention when previewing the Boise-Air Force matchup: There are tiebreakers involved.

If UNLV wins, things are simple, the Rebels go to the title game. If San Jose State wins things get a bit muddier. In regards to the actual matchup, this game features the two hottest teams in the conference.

UNLV enters this contest on a three-game winning streak, including wins over Wyoming and Air Force in their last two. The Spartans enter this matchup having won five in a row after a dreadful dead start to the regular season.

The Rebels are led by quarterback Jayden Maiava and a trio of running backs, while SJSU is led by signal caller Chevan Cordeiro and a duo of runners. Both scoring defenses are middle of the herd.

Three is more than two, and I got LV by one.

UNLV 31, SJSU 30

Colorado at Utah

Saturday, November 25
12:00 pm PT, Pac-12

Can we stop the hate? Can we please stop the hate on Deion Sanders? That’s his name, he’s different from a brand.

What Sanders has done this year at Colorado has been truly phenomenal. Not only has he won a couple of games, he’s made the Buffaloes into the West Coast’s most-watched team this season.

However, the one major takeaway from Coach Prime’s team is the importance of an offensive line. Their lack of protection has destroyed their offense.

For Utah, this feels like a tough shave. The Utes record has taken a step back this season because of injuries but they’ve beaten all the lesser opponents.

Bryson Barnes likely knows he isn’t Shedeur Sanders, but that doesn’t mean that the kid from Milford can’t get one more in Rice-Eccles.

Utah in a runaway.

Utah 31, Colorado 17

BYU at No. 20 Oklahoma State

Saturday, November 25
12:30 pm PT, ABC

I think BYU thinks that they can compete in this game, but I’m not sure if that’s realistic. The Cougars enter this matchup having played Oklahoma well last week but have lost four in a row.

If the Cougs are going to win this contest they’ll need a monster outing from Kedon Slovis, or whoever ends up starting. Sometimes the quarterback has to put the team and their back, and it’s for the QB to flex a little.

Oklahoma State needs to outphysical BYU. The Cowboys have a mid-tier rushing attack but they feature a dominant halfback in Ollie Gordon.

OSU is also playing for a shot at the Big 12 Title Game, so expect them to be on their Qs and Ps. Ps and Qs aside, the Cowboys feel like the more explosive team.

Dem Boys will be in Arlington.

Oklahoma State 35, BYU 27

No. 15 Arizona at Arizona State

Saturday, November 25
12:30 pm PT, ESPN

It felt like yesterday that Arizona State beat Arizona 70-7 in the Territorial Cup. Three years later, a lot has changed.

The Wildcats enter this matchup as the hottest team in the Pac-12 outside of Oregon and Washington. AZ features a complete offense complemented by the likely Pac-12 Freshman of the Year in Noah Fifita.

The Wildcats also boast the 34th-ranked scoring defense nationally.

ASU will either need Cameron Skattebo or Elijhah Badger to have a career day. The Sun Devils scoring offense ranks near last in the nation but they’re not completely inept.

Trenton Bourguet’s a veteran quarterback who can groove a little but he’ll have to hit when the opportunities are there.

ASU’s shown improvement, but not enough.

Wildcats by eight.

Arizona 28, ASU 20

Washington State at No. 4 Washington

Saturday, November 25
1:00 pm PT, FOX

Had Washington State lost to Colorado last week, it would’ve all been so simple. I could’ve stopped caring for my Cougars and could’ve invested all my spirit in Washington’s potential College Football Playoff run.

But now I don’t know what to do. On one foot, there is nothing more I’d like to see than my Cougs knock the smirk out of all you purple people walking around Seattle.

I’ve already heard two Huskies fans talk about the Pac-12 Championship like the Apple Cup doesn’t exist, and we just re-signed a five-year deal.

On the other foot, I love what the University of Washington stands for, and would love to see some Pacific Northwest representation in the CFP. I’m also a huge fan of Rome Odunze.

The Cougars actually match up pretty well in this matchup, but not well enough.

Huskies get it done.

Washington 38, WSU 24

No. 18 Notre Dame at Stanford

Saturday, November 25
4:00 pm PT, Pac-12

By modern-day college football logic, this rivalry makes sense—a team from Indiana versus a team from Northern California. In regards to the grass, however, Notre Dame should prove the far superior team.

Stanford enters this contest following a loss to rival Cal, which leaves a subpar team at an “All Time Low.” If the Cardinal are going to compete in this matchup they’ll likely need a standout performance from Elic Ayomanor.

The Fighting Irish will likely key on Ayomanor meaning someone else also may be able to contribute. Stanford’s defense also needs to hold ND to three in the red zone.

Notre Dame just needs to not mess this up. Sam Hartman has probably seen tougher defenses during his meditation sessions.

Nevertheless, it is the last game of the season, meaning The Fighting Irish should expect everything from the Cardinal.

Stanford’s kinda dangerous, but Notre Dame still feasts.

Notre Dame 41, Stanford 17

Wyoming at Nevada

Saturday, November 25
6:00 pm PT, CBS Sports

Even though Wyoming’s struggled recently, nine wins would be a record for Head Coach Craig Bohl, meaning the Cowboys still have a lot to play for.

Wyoming enters this matchup having lost three out of their last five but they should be able to right the ship against Nevada.

The Wolfpack scoring defense ranks 113th in the nation so expect a big day from boys quarterback Andrew Peasley.

If Nevada has any chance to hang around in this game, they’ll need Brendon Lewis to have one of his better outings of the season. But that feels highly improbable, particularly against a solid Cowboys defense.

Wyoming gets number eight.

Wyoming 30, Nevada 21

Fresno State at San Diego State

Saturday, November 25
7:30 pm PT, FS1

The story of San Diego State just feels pretty sad at this point. The Aztecs football program has taken a complete plunge since the beginning of last season and no one knows exactly what’s next.

With regard to this game, SDSU just needs to find a way to score the ball. The Aztecs scoring offense ranks 118th in the nation and they don’t play in a Power Five conference.

Brady Hoke will need to find some sort of intrinsic motivation to fire up his players.

For Fresno State, this begins the road to 10 wins. The Bulldogs have had back-to-back confusing losses but that doesn’t mean they can’t figure it out.

Jeff Tedford and Logan Fife should be able to find enough of a passing attack to power past SDSU and keep the 10-win dream alive for the third consecutive year.

Bulldogs show some bark.

Fresno State 42, SDSU 14

California at UCLA

Saturday, November 25
7:30 pm PT, ESPN

This game features the two most confusing teams in the Pac-12. Last week UCLA handled USC easily scoring 38 points in the process. The week prior the Bruins scored seven and lost to ASU.

And while some of this makes sense, UCLA’s lack of consistency feels like a trend. Except for their nonconference schedule, they’ve not won or lost more than three games in a row during the regular season.

What is this, Cal? How did a former defensive team turn into a squad with a top-40 scoring offense nationally?

Besides the cool points, the Golden Bears are playing for an opportunity at the postseason and, simultaneously, Justin WiIcox’s job. Jaydn Ott is a hell of a player but LA’s defense is just a little too good.

Bruins win close enough.

UCLA 38, Cal 28

Colorado State at Hawai’i

Saturday, Nov 25
8:00 pm PT, Spectrum Sports

For the sake of my sanctity, there will only be two things I will preview in this matchup. First and foremost is whether Colorado State will grab win number six, qualifying them for the postseason.

And two, which Hawaii team will show up? For the Rams, a win in this contest will likely land them in the postseason for the first time since 2018.

CSU’s season has taken a dramatic turn for the better since the emergence of Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi and a win here will only add experience for the freshman.

Rainbow Warriors quarterback Brayden Schager should be able to expose Colorado State’s 102nd-ranked scoring defense but Hawaii’s defense should struggle themselves.

In the battle of the Braydens, there can only be one and I got Fowler-Nicolosi.

CSU wins close.

Colorado State 42, Hawai’i 41