Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 9 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

Cal at Virginia Tech

Friday, October 24
4:30 PM PT, ESPN

It wasn’t fairly, however California received a clutch victory in opposition to North Carolina final week. The win retains them within the ACC race as they enter the ultimate 5 video games of the common season.

If both Duke or Georgia Tech loses a recreation, the Golden Bears management their very own future to the convention title.

Cal’s season has confirmed predictably unpredictable, however they need to be capable to deal with Virginia Tech. The Hokies have seemed higher because the firing of Brent Pry, posting a 2-2 report.

VT is favored by 4 and a half factors, however these are the kind of matchups the Bears have to win in the event that they wish to be respected.

One space the place Cal ought to be capable to benefit from Virginia Tech is on protection. Exterior of Kyron Drones, the Hokies don’t have a lot firepower on offense.

Drones has thrown for 1,397 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He’s additionally added 277 yards and 5 touchdowns on the bottom. In addition they have a formidable duo at halfback in Marcellous Hawkins and Terion Stewart.

The Hokies rank 98th nationally, scoring 23 factors per recreation. VT ranks tenth in factors allowed per recreation on protection.

Berkeley doesn’t settle for mediocre college students, they usually shouldn’t settle for mediocre soccer.

The Bears keep golden.

Cal 28, Virginia Tech 24

UCLA at No. 2 Indiana

Saturday, October 25
9:00 AM PT, FOX

I considered selecting an upset on this matchup, however I’m not doubting Indiana twice. I believed Oregon was going to wipe Indiana all the best way to East Chicago.

The important thing to this matchup for UCLA is defending the ball. Nico Iamaleava had three turnovers in opposition to Maryland, which is able to spell doom in opposition to the Hoosiers.

The Bruins also needs to proceed to be aggressive. Iamaleava’s confirmed he can win video games, and UCLA has nothing to lose.

Indiana ranks twenty third in move yards allowed per recreation, in order that they’re not good. The Bruins even have a stable move protection, rating twenty first. LA will even have to discover a technique to cease Fernando Mendoza.

Mendoza has grow to be a monster at IU. He’s thrown for 1,755 yards, 21 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has a large number of talent gamers at his disposal.

Indiana’s halfback duo of Kaelon Black and Roman Hemby has mixed for 871 dashing yards and 5 touchdowns. In addition they have two wideouts who every have about 600 yards receiving.

The Bruins might want to proceed to be productive on the bottom, which might assist maintain the Hoosier offense off the sphere.

I’ve been identified to faux foreshadowing, however I informed you what was taking place within the first line.

IU will get it accomplished.   

Indiana 42, UCLA 21

Utah State at New Mexico

Saturday, October 25
12:00 PM PT, MW Community

This matchup is exclusive due to the Bronco Mendenhall dynamic. Mendenhall left New Mexico for Utah State within the low season, in a transfer that felt untimely to Lobos followers.

They might get revenge this week by turning College Stadium right into a rock live performance.

The important thing when dealing with Utah State, per ordinary, is stopping their offense. Bryson Barnes has confirmed to be a terror this season, having thrown for 1,644 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions. He has additionally added 363 yards and 7 touchdowns on the bottom.

The Aggies are fortieth nationally in factors scored per recreation. That ought to show regarding for UNM as a result of they rank 114th in move yards allowed nationally. USU’s passing offense ranks thirty ninth in yards per recreation.

Flipping the sphere, Jack Layne is the true definition of a faculty signal-caller. Layne seems to be terrible at instances and mesmerizing at others. He’s thrown for 1,415 yards, eight touchdowns, and eight interceptions.

Utah State ranks a hundred and twenty fifth in move yards allowed per recreation, so he’s gotta do it on this matchup. The Aggies additionally battle in opposition to the run, rating 111th nationally in yards allowed per recreation.

Everybody needs a cheerful ending, however New Mexico skips the therapeutic massage.

The Aggies crash Albuquerque.

Utah State 35, New Mexico 28

No. 23 Illinois at Washington

Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, Massive Ten Community

Washington’s a tough workforce to foretell. Jedd Fisch hasn’t gained any large video games as head coach of the Huskies, however they’re additionally ok that they need to in all probability beat Illinois.

The important thing for UW on this matchup is stopping Luke Altmyer. He’s an especially dependable quarterback who ranks ninth in passing effectivity and sixth nationally in completion share. He’s thrown for 1,821 yards, 13 touchdowns, and one interception.

The Illini characteristic the Thirty eighth-ranked passing offense, and are thirty seventh nationally in factors scored per recreation.

The Dawgs ought to be capable to lock in on Altmyer as a result of the U of I struggles to run the ball. They rank 111th nationally in dashing yards per recreation. The Huskies rank twentieth in dashing yards allowed, in order that they’ll probably be capable to make the Illini one-dimensional.

On offense, Demond Williams Jr. wants a bounce-back efficiency. Williams Jr. threw three interceptions within the Huskies’ loss final week in opposition to Michigan.

Illinois ranks ninety fifth in passing yards allowed per recreation, so he ought to take some pictures. UW’s move protection additionally struggles, rating 89th nationally. U of I has a mediocre protection, and the Huskies are hungry.

Mediocre gained’t get it accomplished in Seattle.

Washington 38, Illinois 24

No. 11 BYU at Iowa State

Saturday, October 25
12:30 pm PT, FOX

This has the potential to be an enormous entice recreation for BYU. Iowa State’s higher than their Massive 12 report signifies, they usually’re nonetheless combating for a return to the convention championship.

The important thing for the Cyclones is discovering a technique to chip by way of the Cougar offensive line. BYU ranks second within the Massive 12 in dashing yards per recreation, they usually’ve solely allowed six sacks all season.

A participant like defensive finish Ikenna Ezeogu may have to have a “POTW” kind of recreation. Ezeogu has three sacks on the 12 months.

One other technique to compete in opposition to the Cougs is to attain early factors. BYU solely permits 15.6 factors per recreation, 14th nationally, so in the event that they discover a rhythm early, it is likely to be onerous to interrupt by way of.

The Cougars’ move protection ranks twenty first, whereas their rush protection is fortieth in yards allowed per recreation. ISU ranks 59th in dashing yards per contest, however they gotta do a bit extra on this matchup to maintain BYU actual.

Iowa State’s halfback duo of Abu Sama and Carson Hansen has rushed for a mixed 829 yards and 6 touchdowns. Rocco Becht’s a dependable veteran, the kind of sign caller wanted to proper the circulation in an enormous second.

Cy pecks Cosmo into submission.

Iowa State 27, BYU 21

San Diego State at Fresno State

Saturday, October 25
12:30 PM PT, FS1

As a fake Cali dude, I’m intrigued by this recreation. Apart from the state flag, these colleges have little in frequent in a rivalry often called the “Outdated Oil Can.”

The important thing for Fresno State on this contest ought to be stopping Jayden Denegal. Denegal received off to a sluggish begin this 12 months, however has carried out effectively within the Aztecs’ final two matchups.

In his final two, Denegal’s stat line reads: 27 of 33, 461 passing yards, and 4 passing touchdowns. Stopping him is essential for slowing down Sean Lewis’ Aztec Quick offense.

SDSU ranks fifty fifth in factors scored per recreation. San Diego State’s protection can also be outstanding; it’s really the stronger unit. The Aztecs solely enable 12.2 factors per contest, rating fifth nationally. 

SDSU might be able to drive Bulldogs quarterback E.J. Warner into a number of turnovers. Warner can transfer the ball, however he throws a whole lot of interceptions. He’s thrown 9 on the 12 months.

Two gamers to know on protection for the Aztecs are Trey White and Owen Chambliss. Fresno State wants to make use of its halfback duo of Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson to sluggish them down.

The Aztecs are favored by a few factors, however the Valley’s a scrappy place.

Victor E. Bulldog will get a victory.

Fresno State 31, SDSU 21

Wisconsin at No. 6 Oregon

Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM PT, FS1

This is a tricky matchup for Wisconsin,  because the Badgers have a number of issues working in opposition to them.

Oregon misplaced to Indiana two weeks in the past, they nearly misplaced in Madison final 12 months, they usually wish to enter their bye week with a dub.

Issues worsen for UW. Beginning quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. is questionable, and backup Danny O’Neil additionally isn’t at full well being. That is troubling as a result of Wisconsin’s offense struggles even at its greatest, rating 134th in factors scored per contest.

In addition they rank close to the underside of the nation in passing yards allowed per recreation. If the Badgers are going to drag off a tacky upset, they’ll want standout performances from Dilin Jones, Vinny Anthony, and Lance Mason.

UW’s been outscored 122-20 in Massive Ten play this season. They want something they’ll get.

Oregon has gotta maintain it easy. As porous because the Badgers are, they do have run protection, rating 18th in dashing yards allowed per recreation. The Geese can put on them down by getting a number of backs concerned.

Wisconsin’s protection will in all probability be on the sphere quite a bit. 

UW gained’t compete on this matchup, the Badgers drown in Autzen.

Oregon 45, Wisconsin 10

Stanford at No. 9 Miami

Saturday, October 25
4:00 PM PT, ESPN

Stanford’s victory over Florida State was fairly surprising, however not sudden. It’s a pivotal win, ushering within the Andrew Luck period of Cardinal soccer.

Stanford’s been all over this 12 months, however one notable from their victory in opposition to Florida State was their protection. The Tree held FSU to 13.

If the Cardinal can carry out at an analogous clip in opposition to the Hurricanes, it’ll give them an opportunity to compete. UM’s offense isn’t fairly pretty much as good because the Noles’, however they characteristic the Thirteenth-ranked scoring protection.

If Stanford needs to drag off the upset, they’ll want Ben Gulbranson to play higher. Gulbranson’s confirmed to be inconsistent of their final two outings, throwing for 1,535 yards, seven touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this season.

Miami will look to benefit from a Stanford offense that lacks identification and ranks 122nd in factors scored per recreation. If they’ll cease the Tree firstly of this contest, it might assist them construct an insurmountable lead.

It could additionally give Carson Beck confidence. Beck’s simply been alright this 12 months. Malachi Toney is one other participant to observe at wideout.

Generally it’s whenever you play somebody quite than the precise opponent.

Stanford gained’t shock the Alligator State twice.

Miami 42, Stanford 17

Houston at No. 24 Arizona State

Saturday, October 25
5:00 pm PT, ESPN2

This matchup took a large shift as a result of harm of Jordyn Tyson. He is likely to be one of the best receiver within the West, and his absence ought to enable Houston to simplify their defensive recreation plan.

The Cougars are twenty seventh in factors allowed per recreation, they usually’ll probably be capable to capitalize with out Tyson there. For a counterpunch, ASU might want to get all kinds of gamers concerned on offense.

Chamon Metayer may very well be a type of guys. Metayer has 226 receiving yards at tight finish this 12 months. They’ll additionally want Sam Leavitt and Raleek Brown to overperform.

Flipping the web page, UH has taken an enormous leap ahead on offense this 12 months as a result of emergence of Conner Weigman. He might want to play effectively as a result of Dean Connors may battle at halfback.

Arizona State is stingy in opposition to the run, rating twenty seventh in yards allowed per contest. They rank 59th in move yards allowed per recreation.

Rounding out the Cougars’ trio is Amare Thomas at wideout. Thomas has 510 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns this season.

From a logical standpoint, Houston ought to in all probability win this recreation, however Tempe’s by no means relied on logic.

Sparky burns one.

Arizona State 27, Houston 17

Colorado at Utah

Saturday, October 25
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

These two groups are comparable, however totally different. Each coaches are elite of their opposing kinds. Deion Sanders is a Tremendous Bowl Champion. Kyle Whittingham ranks fifth amongst lively coaches in wins.

Each squads even have Group of 5 switch quarterbacks, who’ve accomplished sufficient, however haven’t accomplished sufficient. And each groups are combating for his or her season on this matchup.

The important thing ought to be if Utah’s protection holds regular. Colorado’s offense has struggled this 12 months, rating 89th in factors scored per contest, whereas U of U ranks twelfth in factors allowed per recreation.

Kaidon Salter’s going to want to mature now, as a result of it doesn’t get a lot harder than dealing with a Morgan Scalley-led protection in Salt Lake Metropolis.

One space the place the Buffaloes may discover success is on the bottom. Regardless that the Utes have a stable protection, they’ve struggled in opposition to the run this 12 months, rating seventy fifth nationally in dashing yards allowed per recreation.

CU isn’t identified for working the ball, but when Micah Welch can get going, it might assist relax Salter. They’ll want to attain factors as a result of U of U is twelfth within the nation in factors scored per recreation.

The Buffs caught Utah at an unholy time, they usually’re gonna pay.

The MUSS strikes once more. 

Utah 38, Colorado 20