Fresno State at Utah State

Friday, October 13
5:00 pm PT, CBS Sports

This game has gotten pretty good due to Utah State’s victory last Saturday.

The Aggies enter this matchup on a two-game winning streak, having played well last week against Colorado State. Cooper Legas re-took his starter position, again, throwing for nearly 400 yards against the Rams.

This game provides Fresno State with the opportunity for a bounceback performance against a solid opponent. The Bulldogs got handled in Cheyenne, but with a win against Utah State, their schedule looks pretty favorable down the stretch.

Dawgs barkin’ in this one. FSU by 10.

Fresno State 38, Utah State 28

Stanford at Colorado

Friday, October 13
7:00 pm PT, ESPN

Colorado survived an important trap game last Saturday against Arizona State.

Even though the Buffaloes started off 2-0, it’s hard to get a victory when your team’s on a slide.

The Sun Devils should perform a little bit better on Friday night due to their home-field advantage.

Stanford needs to compete in this game. The Cardinal’s season feels rough and maybe they’ll find some offense in the fine Boulder air. They enter this matchup with the 119th-ranked scoring offense in the Nation.

Troy Taylor’s time may come, but this is Primetime. Buffs stomp.

Colorado 35, Stanford 24

California at No. 16 Utah

Saturday, October 14
12:00 pm PT, Pac-12

What the frick was that game between Oregon State and California last week? I picked the winner right, but probably missed the spread by 30 points.

This Saturday, I expect things to return to a “sense of normalcy.” Yes, I know, we’ve heard that before.

Utah enters this contest with an opportunity to win their last game without Cam Rising—or will he return?—before the Utes travel to the Coliseum and then host Oregon the following two weeks.

And what the frick is going on with Cal?

There’s no time to find an identity in Salt Lake City so they better hope to hang around and maybe get lucky.

This isn’t Vegas, Utes by 14.

Utah 31, Cal 17

No. 8 Oregon at No. 7 Washington

Saturday, October 14
12:30 pm PT, ABC

This is probably the biggest college football game the Pacific Northwest has ever seen.

Washington enters this matchup with the best passing attack in the nation. The Huskies literally average 75 yards more per game than the second-place team behind QB Michael Penix Jr. and arguably the best trio of wideouts in the country.

But you know Oregon remembers what happened last year. The Ducks enter this contest with revenge and the conference title on their minds.

UO feels like the more complete team, but Washington’s darn explosive.

Physicality will win in the end. Ducks by one.

Oregon 35, Washington 34

BYU at TCU

Saturday, October 14
12:30 pm PT, ESPN

[ads_hr hr_style=”hr-fade”] This is the game I’ve been most unsure about all year, now let me check who I picked. Alright, I may have lied a little bit, but either way, it’s time to form an argument.

BYU enters this matchup coming off a bye week after previously defeating Cincinnati. As we all know, the Cougars are led by Kedon Slovis who’s thrown for 1,240 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year.

TCU enters this contest having lost two in a row and will look to take out their frustrations on the conference newbie. The Horned Frogs feature a balanced offense led by quarterback Chandler Morris and halfback Emani Bailey.

Hmm, I gotta pick someone, so I’m going with the guys from Fort Worth.

TCU 27, BYU 23

UNLV at Nevada

Saturday, October 14
2:00 pm PT, Mountain West 

I gotta be honest I don’t know the name of this rivalry and I should. Maybe it’s because I’ve never actually been cool enough to go to Vegas, though my friends have tried.

In this edition of the “Battle for Nevada,” UNLV enters as the favorite. The Rebels are 4-1 on the year and led by a trio of running backs. Jai’den Thomas leads the way with 273 yards and seven touchdowns.

Nevada has to muster everything within their soul to try to win the Fremont Cannon. They may consider starting AJ Bianco again. Perhaps he could provide a spark?

But a flicker won’t get it done, LV cruises.

UNLV 30, Nevada 20

Wyoming at Air Force

Saturday, October 14
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports

[ads_hr hr_style=”hr-fade”] This is one of those matchups that’s cool because both programs are trying to move up a floor.

Wyoming enters this contest coming off a huge victory against Fresno State, and if they win in Colorado Springs, they should be ranked. The Cowboys’ offense has been middle of the highway all season but quarterback Andrew Peasley has proven himself efficient.

This can be considered their first real test of the year for Air Force, which is indicative of a team on the rise. The Falcons are led by a group of running backs that comprise the best rushing attack in the nation.

Air Force is favored, but this feels tricky—but so is defending our country. The Falcons win a close.

Air Force 30, Wyoming 27

Arizona at No. 19 Washington State

Saturday, October 14
4:00 pm PT, Pac-12

This game could prove to be the most exciting matchup of the week, outside of UW-Oregon.

(Wow, I sound like a damn Coug,)

Washington State enters this contest after getting eaten by D’Anton Lynn’s defensive scheme. No one on the Cougars offensive line could block Laiatu Latu.

If WSU would like to revitalize the nation’s number two passing attack, the Cougs will need to protect Cam Ward.

Arizona just needs to play four quarters. The Wildcats looked for real against USC but lacked consistency.

AZ may be the better team, but I’m picking my Cougs. I gotta follow my heart.

Washington State 41, Arizona 38

No. 10 USC at No. 21 Notre Dame

Saturday, October 14
4:30 pm PT, NBC/Peacock

Where in the World is Carmen San Diego—I mean USC—last week? The Trojans played a subpar first quarter, but as the game progressed, the team found their rhythm and did enough to win.

Against Notre Dame, the Trojans will need to get off to a faster start. SC’s scoring defense ranks 81st in the nation and they do not want to fall behind a Sam Hartman-led squad.

The Fighting Irish’s quarterback has thrown for 1,712 yards and 16 touchdowns thus far. Even though USC didn’t play to their standards, it’s because they’ve earned the right to be compared with the best.

And they’ll continue to do so. SC by three.

USC 45, Notre Dame 42

No. 18 UCLA at No. 15 Oregon State

Saturday, October 14
5:00 pm PT, FOX

After watching the Cougs game last week I was pretty sure I was going to pick UCLA. But then I realized that the best way to stop a blitz scheme is to have a dominant offensive line.

Oregon State has two Preseason All-Pac-12 First Team linemen and another on the Second Team. Combine this with First Teamer in running back Damien Martinez, and the Beavers should match up well in this contest.

For UCLA, it’s another case of the big boys against a small-town team. The Bruins may have more talent on their roster, but Dante Moore’s lack of experience could hurt.

The Pac-2 Championship ain’t going to L.A. Beavs in a scrap.

Oregon State 21, UCLA 20

Boise State at Colorado State

Saturday, October 14
6:45 pm PT, FS1

Oh, man, when Boise State was losing 27-7 last week I thought my predictions were going in the dishwasher. But the Broncos fought back giving themselves a .500 record, and hope for their season.

This feels like a Bronco tale, but if Cinderella’s going to appear, they gotta get it done in Fort Collins. It should also prove interesting to see who the starting quarterback is going to be this week.

As for the Rams, even though they let me down last week, I hope they continue to roll with signal caller Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi. He had a tough outing last week but was dripping in sauce previously.

I’m old, and I’m running out of sauce. BSU wins comfortably close.

Boise State 28, Colorado State 21

San Diego State at Hawai’i

Saturday, October 14
8:30 pm PT, CBS Sports

I guess I’m lucky Hawaii’s my second favorite team. But besides that, it’s been a pretty tough year for the Rainbow Warriors.

Last week they got blown out at UNLV and they enter this contest 2-4, even though they’re led by quarterback Brayden Schager, who’s thrown for 1,661 yards and 14 touchdowns on the year.

A loss for San Diego in this matchup would likely send the program is in full reset mode. The Aztecs have lost four in a row but all of them were against solid teams.

As solid as I want Hawaii to be, it’s not beach-bod season.

SDSU in a blowout.

San Diego State 31, Hawai’i 24