Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 5 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

No. 24 TCU at Arizona State

Friday, September 26
6:00 PM PT, FOX

It feels bizarre that Arizona State isn’t ranked. Outdoors of their last-second loss to Mississippi State, they’ve regarded legit. This week’s sport ought to present a chance for the Solar Devils to rebrand themselves on the Nationwide Stage.

TCU has performed properly this yr with a blowout victory towards North Carolina and a win over rival SMU final Saturday. However they haven’t confronted anybody as proficient as ASU.

The Horned Frogs should discover a technique to comprise the harmful offensive trio of Sam Leavitt, Raleek Brown, and Jordyn Tyson, who might be the primary wideout chosen within the upcoming NFL Draft.

Leavitt struggled towards Mississippi State, however has regarded higher the final two weeks. He’s thrown for 748 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions on the season.

TCU is led by quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for 379 yards, 5 touchdowns, and one interception every week in the past. He additionally leads the nation in passing yards per sport.

The Horned Frogs are ranked a hundred and first nationally in passing yards allowed per sport, which might allow Leavitt to have an enormous outing.

TCU will put some factors on the board, however Tyson eats smooth secondaries.

Sparky catches a frog.

Arizona State 42, TCU 28

Houston at Oregon State

Friday, September 26
7:30 PM PT, ESPN

Oregon State is in a brutal spot. The loss to Oregon ought to’ve been anticipated, however their schedule stays troublesome all through the subsequent month.

If the Beavers need to do something with their season, they’ll have to win two out of their subsequent three matchups. The sport towards Houston is a life vest for his or her marketing campaign.

If they will win this contest, they’ll achieve important momentum earlier than touring to Boone.

The Cougars are undefeated, however they’re not the Geese. That is the kind of matchup the Beavers should win in the event that they need to re-establish themselves as a aggressive group.

The Beavs have the expertise to compete with UH, however they gotta make Conner Weigman  uncomfortable. Weigman has carried out properly this yr, however struggled in 2024 at Texas A&M.

Houston traditionally has a superb protection, so if he will get going, Oregon State may not have the ability to hold tempo. A loss might warmth up Trent Bray’s seat significantly, making it a second of transition.

Transition mode activated.

Houston 35, Oregon State 20

No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois

Saturday, September 27
9:00 AM PT, FOX

College soccer has modified, hasn’t it? A ranked USC-Illinois matchup feels misplaced, however the sport ought to show to be a chance for the Preventing Illini to make amends for what occurred final week.

Illinois bought decimated by Indiana within the East Chicago rivalry (not a factor), nevertheless it’s my Mother’s hometown.

The important thing for UI is defending Luke Altmyer, who is an efficient quarterback when protected. He’s thrown for 855 yards, 9 touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The Hoosiers bought 10 stops behind the road of scrimmage towards Illinois, and the Trojans hope to repeat the components. USC ranks first within the nation in sacks and fourth in tackles for loss, so they need to have the ability to capitalize towards the Illini entrance.

UI’s line has confirmed shaky within the early season. Jayden Maiava may even have to proceed taking part in properly.

He has thrown for 1,223 yards, 9 touchdowns, and no interceptions, including 4 touchdowns together with his toes.

Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane might additionally show troublesome for Illinois to deal with. The duo has mixed for 677 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Illinois has come a great distance, however Lincoln Riley is bored with being disrespected.

USC tramples the Illini.

USC 38, Illinois 21

No. 1 Ohio State at Washington

Saturday, September 27
12:30 PM PT, CBS

Washington is a lot better than final season, however we’re about to search out out in the event that they’re Faculty Soccer Playoff worthy. The Huskies have gotten off to a sizzling begin this yr, and their offense has regarded unstoppable.

UW scored 58 factors towards Washington State every week in the past. The Huskies didn’t punt as soon as. It ought to show attention-grabbing to see if Ohio State can decelerate Washington’s offense. They’re the primary group able to dealing with them athletically.

The pace of Demond Williams Jr., mixed with the physicality of Jonah Coleman, has stifled lesser competitors. Denzel Boston has additionally been a harmful No. 1 wideout.

For Ohio State, it’s about their duo of receivers. Jeremiah Smith might be the very best wideout in faculty soccer, and he’s complemented by Carnell Tate on the opposite facet.

Ephesians Prysock might be able to decelerate one in every of these guys, however not each.

Julian Sayin begins for the Buckeyes at quarterback. He’s thrown for 779 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. OSU options two gamers at halfback, Bo Jackson and short-yardage man CJ Donaldson.

Ohio State opened the season towards Texas, so that they have huge sport expertise. This can be OSU’s first Massive Ten journey to Seattle, however they’re constructed for it.

Brutus cracks Harry.

Ohio State 42, Washington 24

Utah at West Virginia

Saturday, September 27
12:30 PM PT, FOX

Utah suffered a tricky loss final week, however this ought to be a superb get-right sport.

Though the journey to Morgantown is difficult, West Virginia is affected by a number of accidents. The Mountaineers’ beginning quarterback and main rusher are each listed as questionable, and 10 different gamers are restricted in some capability.

This looks like one thing Kyle Whittingham and Morgan Scalley will capitalize on—even an inch of uncertainty towards the Utes can spell doom.

Devon Dampier is seeking to discover his rhythm once more after throwing for 162 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions every week in the past.

The trio of Utes halfbacks might want to play higher as properly. Ryan Davis continued his current kind at wideout, ending with 10 catches for 70 yards towards the Pink Raiders. He’s confirmed constant within the final three video games.

The Utah protection ought to have the ability to deal with a restricted West Virginia offense.

The Utes go “Buckwild” towards the Mountaineers.

Utah 35, West Virginia 17

Cal at Boston Faculty

Saturday, November 27
12:30 PM PT, ACC Community

What the flavour occurred to Cal final week? The Golden Bears’ loss was surprising, however the way it occurred was flabbergasting.

Fortunately for Justin Wilcox, San Diego State isn’t within the ACC, and Cal faces Boston Faculty this week.

Sadly, any such early-season defeat has turn out to be all too common below Wilcox. But it surely’s how Cal responds that’ll decide its destiny.

The Bears began 3-0 a season in the past, then misplaced their subsequent 4 video games.

The Eagles are a smooth touchdown spot, even when the matchup is in Chestnut Hill. Cal can’t afford to lose this one. BC misplaced to Stanford two weeks in the past and has misplaced their earlier two contests.

Boston Faculty is led by quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who performed properly towards the Cardinal. However the Eagles failed to attain some extent within the second half. Lonergan has thrown for 991 yards, 9 touchdowns, and one interception on the yr.

BC has 5 totally different receivers who’re credible threats. Lewis Bond leads the group in receptions and catches. If the Golden Bears don’t win this contest, it could destroy their season.

It received’t occur. It’s the Oski method.

Cal 28, Boston Faculty 24

Arizona at No. 14 Iowa State

Saturday, September 27
4:00 pm PT, ESPN

With the 2 huge matchups this week, this sport may get missed, nevertheless it might find yourself being a program-defining win for Arizona.

The Wildcats have gotten off to a quick begin, however they haven’t seen a group like Iowa State but. The Cyclones haven’t regarded wonderful this yr, however they’ve crushed two noteworthy opponents.

They opened their season by knocking off Kansas State in Eire, they usually’ve additionally taken down Iowa. ISU is led by quarterback Rocco Becht, who’s a boss within the fourth quarter.

Iowa State is 8-1 in one-score video games because the starting of final season, which is a mirrored image of Becht.

For UA, the offense runs by means of Noah Fifita, however the offensive line might want to step up this week. They’ve dedicated a number of premature penalties, and this might show a killer on the street. Fifita has thrown for 712 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Ismail Mahdi additionally must have a productive sport. He rushed for 189 yards on 22 carries towards Ok-State. Javin Whatley may even have to make a number of explosive performs. He’s confirmed a dependable goal within the early season.

Arizona has improved, however Iowa State remembers what the opposite Arizona college did to them within the Massive 12 championship.

Cy flies away from Wilbur.

Iowa State 31, Arizona 17

No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State

Saturday, September 27
4:30 PM PT, NBC

This is essentially the most troublesome sport on Oregon’s slate this season. The Geese enter this contest 4-0, however haven’t actually performed anybody notable but.

Dante Moore has gotten off to a fast begin, having thrown for 962 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception. Penn State has the most effective defenses within the nation, so his decision-making will must be fast.

The Nittany Lions are led up entrance by Dani Dennis-Sutton, who was a drive final season. In 2025, he already has 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two move breakups, and two pressured fumbles.

One other participant to know is linebacker Amare Campbell, who leads the group with 22 tackles.

PSU’s protection is barely permitting 5.7 factors per sport.

Oregon may have Dakorien Moore to make an enormous play. The Geese have a number of high quality receivers, however the freshman might be able to present a spark if the sport will get tight.

Penn State is constructed equally on the wideout place. Trebor Pena, who leads the Lions in receiving, is a stable route runner, however he received’t essentially take over a sport.

Each groups have expertise at each place, and each groups have one thing to show.

Oregon wins an in depth one fueled by a number of explosive performs.

Time to shout in Pleased Valley.

Oregon 38, Penn State 27

App State at Boise State

Saturday, November twenty seventh
4:30 PM PT, FS1

Ihis sport isn’t going to get nationwide consideration, nevertheless it’s an essential matchup for Boise State.

The Broncos bought merked by South Florida within the opener, which knocked them off the faculty soccer panorama. They’ve responded with offensive explosions of their final two video games, combining for 100 factors, however their protection has regarded spotty.

Boise State allowed Air Power to throw the ball for 246 yards final week, and the Falcons don’t throw that properly.

Boise at the moment ranks eighty fifth in move yards allowed per sport. That is noteworthy as a result of App State options the most effective move offenses within the nation, they usually had a tough sport final week.

The Mountaineers misplaced to Southern Miss final Saturday, and App State’s quarterback AJ Swann had a nasty outing, tossing three interceptions and no touchdowns. He’ll look to take advantage of the Broncos’ secondary.

As unhealthy as Boise State’s opening contest felt, the Bulls beat Florida in Gainesville the next week, so the Broncos might nonetheless be legit. Anticipate Boise State’s protection to shine, and for the foals to develop up rapidly.

App State will get misplaced out west.

Boise State 45, App State 21

No. 25 BYU at Colorado

Saturday, September 27
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

I all the time decide Deion Sanders, although I’m undecided why. Colorado has a chance to model itself as a legit group with a win towards BYU.

The Cougars enter this contest undefeated and have regarded unstoppable, however they haven’t performed anybody on the Buffaloes’ stage but.

For CU, this matchup ought to be easy; all of it will depend on the play of quarterback Kaidon Salter, who began the season sluggish, bought benched towards Houston, and began once more final week towards Wyoming, taking part in properly.

Salter has thrown for 565 yards, 4 touchdowns, and no interceptions this yr.

The Cougs solid out their demons in Greenville, knocking off East Carolina. The Pirates aren’t fairly the extent of the Buffs, however they’re a stable opponent, having solely misplaced to NC State by seven.

BYU is led by a fearsome protection and a tactical offense. LJ Martin is the statistical chief of this offensive unit, however Chase Roberts could be the higher all-around participant.

The Cougars protection leads the nation in factors allowed per sport.

Salter might “Perceive How Colorado does issues now,” however BYU all the time knew.

Cosmo claws Ralphie.

BYU 31, Colorado 20