Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 1 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

Georgia Tech at Colorado

Friday, August twenty ninth
5:00 PM PT, ESPN

Deion Sanders may not be everybody’s favourite coach, however he’s turning his workforce right into a drive. And all of it begins with the teaching employees.

Pat Shurmur is the offensive coordinator, and he has over 23 years of teaching expertise within the NFL, together with 4 years as a Head Coach.

On protection, the coordinator is Robert Livingston, a 10-year NFL journeyman. The CU protection has improved in most statistical classes since Livingston took over.

It must also assist that the Buffs are larger on either side of the road this season. It felt like Shedeur Sanders was at all times operating round.

Georgia Tech is reliant on its quarterback-halfback tandem of Haynes King and Jamal Haynes. Each of these guys are ranked ninth nationally at their positions.

Additionally they have an outstanding Head Coach in Brent Key, who has led the Yellow Jackets to 10 outright underdog wins since turning into the dude in 2022.

Though Georgia Tech is favored, Deion isn’t shedding to a school from Atlanta.

Colorado wins comfortably-close.

Colorado 35, Georgia Tech 21

UNLV at Sam Houston

Friday, August twenty ninth
6:30 PM PT, CBS Sports activities

Wbecause the Week One outcome precisely what UNLV followers had been anticipating? In all probability not. Nevertheless it was a win, and that’s what anybody cares about going ahead.

The Rebels are favored on this contest, however that doesn’t imply they’re gonna get a dub. It can’t be overstated how tough it’s to win when each the offensive and defensive traces are totally new.

Each week that UNLV can get a victory and proceed to develop is big at this level. Towards Sam Houston State, if the offensive line is respectable, Anthony Colandrea ought to be capable of torch their secondary.

The Bearkats allowed Western Kentucky’s quarterback to throw for 401 yards and three touchdowns within the opener.

SHS will clearly be paying a variety of consideration to Jai’Den Thomas, which might make it even smoother for Colandrea.

It must also show fascinating to see if Jaden Bradley is a legit menace at wideout, or even when he was simply beating up on FCS competitors.

The Bearkats are gonna transfer the ball, and UNLV’s protection wasn’t too stable in week one, however the specter of Thomas is sufficient to throw off their protection.

The Rebels insurgent at 2-0.

UNLV 38, Sam Houston State 31

San Jose State at Central Michigan

Friday, August twenty ninth
7:30 PM PT, FS1

San Jose State could possibly be a sleeper workforce nationally. The Spartans return Walker Eget, who threw for two,504 yards and 13 touchdowns final season.

Nick Nash is gone, however SJSU did a very good job getting guys within the switch portal, bringing in three receivers from Energy 4 conferences, and returning their high three operating backs.

Sticking with the theme, the Spartans received three offensive linemen again as nicely.

On protection, Ken Niumatalolo thinks the D-line could possibly be the workforce’s strongest unit. They return their high tackler and linebacker Jordan Pollard, who was chosen to the preseason Bednarik Award Watch checklist.

Central Michigan is a program in transition. The Chippewas, who’ve a brand new head coach in Matt Drinkall, had been 4-8 final season. They return eight gamers who began in some position in 2024.

Probably the most notable are linebacker Jordan Kwiatkowski, defensive finish Michael Heldman, quarterback Joe Labas, and operating again Nahree Biggins.

Drinkall looks as if a very good man, but when San Jose State doesn’t win, then they’re actually not that good.

The Spartans win by sufficient to maintain the fanbase pleased.

San Jose State 42, Central Michigan 28

Montana State at Oregon

Saturday, August thirtieth
1:00 PM PT, Large Ten Community

The Oregon Geese enter 2025 with Large Ten swagger, a brand new quarterback in Dante Moore, and the identical lofty expectations which have adopted them for years.

The schedule is loaded with storylines, from a harmful FCS opener to difficult Large Ten highway traps and a heavyweight conflict in Completely satisfied Valley.

However what about that harmful opener? It could be silly to miss Montana State. If the Geese had been taking part in some other FCS workforce, this may be a one-line preview.

However the Bobcats are worthy. They completed 15-1 final yr and misplaced within the championship recreation by three factors. MSU is a powerful workforce with a very good offensive line and protection.

The issue is that they misplaced quarterback Tommy Mellott to the NFL Draft, and are unproven on the receiver place. This spells catastrophe towards an offended UO squad.

Oregon decimates them, however Montana State ought to nonetheless be revered.

Oregon 45, Montana State 14

Georgia Southern at Fresno State

Saturday, August thirtieth
6:00 PM PT, FS1

Week One proved to be a actuality test for Fresno State, however it’s additionally a bit of distorted.

Though the Bulldogs received dealt with in Lawrence, it ought to’ve been anticipated. Kansas began off 2-6 final yr and so they weren’t gonna lose their house opener.

This matchup is definitely the essential one. If FSU can win it, the season nonetheless has a variety of promise. A loss right here and Fresno’s fairly screwed.

Though Georgia Southern is barely favored, the Bulldogs are in all probability extra proficient. E.J. Warner’s gonna get it proper.

And it could possibly be this week as a result of the Eagles’ greatest defensive again Marques Watson-Trent is gone, and so they battle to stress the quarterback.

GS completed 8-5 (6-2) final season so that they’re not a slouch. Former USC head man Clay Helton is the coach and whether or not he’s revered or not, he’s been across the circuit.

However Matt Entz is a two-time FCS Nationwide Champion and may perceive the significance of this recreation.

Sorry Cole Swindell, Bulldogs by six.

Fresno State 27, Georgia Southern 21

Idaho at Washington State

Saturday, August thirtieth
7:00 PM PT, The CW

Washington State opens its 2025 marketing campaign towards Idaho on Saturday in one other version of “The Battle of the Palouse.”

Though this rivalry isn’t extensively identified, it’s one of many oldest within the West. One cause for the matchup is the proximity of the 2 colleges: Pullman and Moscow are mainly the identical place.

For the Cougars, this is a chance to determine who they’re. WSU has a brand new Head Coach Jimmy Rogers, and this rivalry must be a bizarre method to begin.

Idaho is an FCS college, however they had been undefeated at house final season and gave eventual Large Ten Champion Oregon a scare in Eugene.

WSU ought to maintain the expertise benefit however all the things’s new. Zevi Eckhaus is the Cougs beginning quarterback and he seemed stable within the Vacation Bowl.

Angel Johnson is again from his spring damage, and is hoping to be the star Washington State wants on the halfback place. Wazzu could have six switch starters on protection from South Dakota State.

The Cougs will win their opening matchup on the wheatfield.

Washington State 28, Idaho 17

Cal at Oregon State

Saturday, August thirtieth
7:30 PM PT, ESPN

Oregon State is hoping to reinvigorate its program after a disappointing 2024 season.

Probably the most notable transfer the Beavers made is bringing in Maalik Murphy, a switch from Duke, who led the Blue Devils to a 9-3 mark in 2024.

Murphy ought to present a spark for OSU’s passing assault, which completed 94th a yr in the past.

For Cal, issues want to vary. Getting into his tenth yr, head coach Justin Wilcox has but to seek out his groove with the Golden Bears, having posted an total document of 42-50, with simply two successful seasons thus far.

This yr isn’t going to get any simpler. California’s offense will look considerably completely different, after shedding a number of notable playmakers within the switch portal.

The departure of Fernando Mendoza and Jaydn Ott in all probability harm essentially the most, however a number of different guys left gaping holes, together with tight finish Jack Endries. The Bears even have to exchange their complete secondary.

Cal’s lack of playmakers, Reser Stadium, and Murphy ought to show sufficient for OSU to win their opening contest.

Oregon State 31, Cal 20

Hawai’i at Arizona

Saturday, August thirtieth
7:30 PM PT, TNT/HBO Max

Arizona ought to undoubtedly be favored on this recreation, however the line feels a bit of disrespectful to Hawaii. FanDuel presently has the Wildcats listed as (-17.5) favorites.

The ankle damage to Rainbow Warriors quarterback Micah Alejado in all probability has one thing to do with the betting line, however UH figures to offer the Wildcats a very good struggle.

The Bows gained their first recreation and have a ton of returning manufacturing from final season. Pofele Ashlock and Nick Cenacle are skilled wideouts for UH. Jackson Harris additionally carried out nicely within the opener.

The issue for Hawaii is the Wildcats’ secondary. UA’s passing protection is veteran-laden and may be capable of restrict the Bows’ receivers.

Dalton Johnson, Treydan Stukes, and Genesis Smith have seen higher receivers all through their careers. The Cats additionally added a stable nook in Michael Dansby by the switch portal.

Arizona’s offense ought to rating sufficient factors with Noah Fifita main the way in which. The Wildcats additionally introduced in switch Ismail Mahdi at halfback, who ought to present manufacturing.

Hawai’i retains it shut however by no means really threatens. The Cats are ravenous proper now.

Arizona 30, Hawai’i 17

Utah at UCLA

Saturday, August thirtieth
8:00 PM PT, FOX

The fundamental story surrounding this contest would be the play of Nico Iamaleava, who was one of many greatest storylines within the offseason together with his switch from Tennessee to UCLA.

He’ll be thrown into the hearth instantly, going towards Utah and a Morgan Scalley-led protection. It ought to show tough for Iamaleava because the Bruins roster options 57 new gamers.

UCLA hopes to proceed its staunch run protection beneath coordinator Ikaika Malloe. His protection solely allowed 96.2 yards per recreation on the bottom in 2024, rating sixth nationally. That is paramount towards the Utes.

Utah shall be breaking in a brand new however skilled quarterback in Devon Dampier. The New Mexico switch is a harmful dual-threat possibility, however he might not be prepared for the Rose Bowl highlight.

Final season, he threw for two,768 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. These 12 interceptions are regarding, contemplating they got here towards weaker competitors.

Kyle Whittingham has gained within the Rose Bowl too many instances, however that’s earlier than school gamers had been getting paychecks.

The Bruins win because of the expertise on the quarterback place.

UCLA 27, Utah 24

Colorado State at Washington

Saturday, August thirtieth
8:00 PM PT, Large Ten Community

Washington ought to win this recreation. However these are each groups we cowl from the West, so we’ll present Colorado State some love.

The Huskies hope this contest is their first win of their quest to rebound from final yr. UW had an odd transitional marketing campaign to the Large Ten, however hopes to proper the yacht this season.

Washington is led by quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who’s lightning quick and provides a component to the Husky offense that was lacking for many of final season.

Complementing him is halfback Jonah Coleman, who could possibly be essentially the most underrated halfback within the nation. Coleman can’t be tackled single-handedly.

The Dawgs additionally return Denzel Boston at receiver.

For the Rams, it’s all about Brayden Fowler-Nicolos, a stable quarterback, who threw for two,796 passing yards, 14 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions in 2024.

The issue is that just about all of his greatest receivers are gone from a yr in the past, together with Tory Horton.  That, mixed with a skinny entrance seven spells, bother for CSU.

Washington runs by the Rams.

Washington 49, Colorado State 10