By Nick Bartlett, SuperWest Sports activities
Wise is the fan who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense predictions earlier than watching this weekend’s video games.
All through the 2025 faculty soccer season, I offer you my just-for-fun picks for contests involving the very best groups within the West throughout 5 conferences.
These groups embrace Arizona, ASU, BYU, Colorado, and Utah within the Huge 12; Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington within the Huge Ten; Cal and Stanford within the ACC; Oregon State and WSU within the Pac-12; and the entire Mountain West.
I went 5-5 within the 10 video games I previewed for Week 9. That brings my total report to 64-29 on the season, good for 69%.
This week, I make picks for the next 10 video games:
- Arizona State at Iowa State
- New Mexico at UNLV
- Pittsburgh at Stanford
- Fresno State at Boise State
- Virginia at Cal
- Arizona at Colorado
- Wyoming at San Diego State
- USC at Nebraska
- Washington State at Oregon State
- Cincinnati at Utah
Additionally, you will need to learn my previews of ACC and Pac-12 video games, Stephen Vilardo’s preview of the Mountain West and Huge Ten matchups, and Dane Miller’s previews of the Huge 12 contests.
As at all times, my picks include my greatest game-score guesses and simply sufficient commentary to maintain me from ingesting an excessive amount of espresso right here within the South Shore District of Seattle.
I’m already on my second cup, so let’s get on with the picks!
Arizona State at Iowa State
Saturday, November 1
10:00 a.m. PT, TNT
Last yr’s Huge 12 title sport feels a bit of completely different this yr.
Arizona State enters this matchup with two losses within the Huge 12, and the Solar Devils are taking part in with out their beginning quarterback Sam Leavitt. Jordyn Tyson can also be uncertain at wideout.
The important thing to this matchup is straightforward: Can Jeff Sims lastly get a win once more as a beginning quarterback? Sims has had a problematic profession in the case of profitable video games. It could be Mission Unattainable with the damage to Tyson.
The Solar Devils appeared dangerous on offense with out him towards Houston.
The Cyclones would most likely be the primary to say they’ve underperformed this yr. They’ve a balanced offense, however they’ll probably take their photographs towards ASU’s pedestrian secondary, which ranks sixtieth in passing yards allowed per sport.
Iowa State QB Rocco Becht must make a few early throws to get the juice flowing in Ames. If he can do this, it’s going to open up area for the halfback duo of Abu Sama and Carson Hansen.
The duo has mixed for 1,044 dashing yards and eight touchdowns on the bottom. Brett Eskildsen is one other strong participant at wideout. No
Tyson, no rooster, no win.
Iowa State will get revenge.
Iowa State 42, Arizona State 21
New Mexico at UNLV 
Saturday, November 1
12:00 PM PT, MW Community
Both of those groups are comparable; each squads are profitable at a quicker fee than anticipated beneath their new Head Coaches.
Jason Eck is doing his factor at New Mexico, posting a 5-3 report to this point. UNLV enters this contest with a 6-1 mark, its solely loss coming towards Boise State final week.
The important thing to this matchup ought to be whether or not the Lobos can rating sufficient factors to maintain tempo with the Rebels. UNLV ranks seventeenth nationally, averaging 37.1 factors per sport, whereas the Lobos solely rating 29 per contest.
Vegas has a formidable dashing assault led by the duo of Anthony Colandrea and Jai’Den Thomas. Colandrea’s dual-threat capacity is a giant a part of their technique. He’s rushed for 410 yards and 4 touchdowns this yr.
If UNM’s going to drag off the upset, they’ll probably want a giant sport from quarterback Jack Layne. New Mexico’s move offense ranks 83rd in yards per sport, however Layne can transfer the ball although he’s susceptible to interceptions.
The Rebels rank 114th in passing yards allowed per contest, so he’ll have his possibilities. He’s thrown for 1,598 yards, 9 touchdowns, and eight interceptions this season. Damon Bankston’s additionally a pleasant participant at halfback.
Eck’s an elite coach, however he doesn’t have sufficient to beat LV but.
Yahtzee.
UNLV 38, New Mexico 17
Pittsburgh at Stanford
Saturday, November 1
12:30 PM PT, ACC Community
If you take a look at the ultimate rating of the sport final week, it appears to be like terrible. However Stanford was tied 7-7 at halftime towards Miami. Whereas a 42-7 loss isn’t going to make the boosters smile, the Cardinal are beginning to present that they’ll play some protection.
If the Tree performs any such protection towards Pittsburgh, they might pull off the upset at dwelling. The Panthers have the eighth-ranked scoring offense nationally, however they’ve a signal-caller with restricted taking part in expertise.
Mason Heintschel has solely began 4 video games on the collegiate stage; he took over for Eli Holstein after Pitt had back-to-back losses earlier this yr.
Stanford may even want Ben Gulbranson to make the most of Pitt’s 74th-ranked move protection in yards allowed per sport. They rank thirteenth in dashing yards allowed per sport, so transferring the ball that method is tough.
The Cardinal don’t have a constant possibility at halfback both. Micah Ford leads the workforce with 425 yards dashing and three dashing touchdowns. Cole Tabb has rushed for 244 yards of their final three outings.
Stanford’s getting higher, however they don’t have the expertise to beat a balanced Pittsburgh squad.
Pitt Pitt hooray.
Pittsburgh 35, Stanford 20
Fresno State at Boise State
Saturday, November 1
12:30 PM PT, FS1
Fresno State has numerous “can” associated rivalries. Final week, the “Previous Oil Can” matchup towards San Diego State didn’t go their method. This week, they’ve an opportunity to make it proper within the “Milk Can” rivalry.
The important thing to this matchup is discovering any offensive manufacturing. The Bulldogs had been held scoreless towards the Aztecs.
Carson Conklin began his first sport for the Bulldogs in aid of E.J. Warner. Conklin struggled mightily, throwing for 182 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.
He’ll have to carry out higher towards Boise State, which ranks twenty eighth in move yards allowed per sport.
FSU may even want to search out manufacturing on the bottom to assist their new quarterback. The mixture of Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson has mixed for 835 dashing yards and eight touchdowns.
In the event that they’re gonna beat the Broncos, the Bulldogs will probably want a giant sport from at the very least one in every of these guys. For Boise, they’ll look to take advantage of Fresno State’s dashing protection. Fresno is stout towards the move, however ranks 51st in dashing yards allowed per sport.
Former Fresno State halfback Malik Sherrod will look to make an impression for Boise State. BSU’s greatest receiver, Chris Marshall, is out because of a suspension.
If Fresno had momentum, this could be a contest, however they’ll disappear within the blue.
The Broncos smash the Bulldogs into potatoes.
Boise State 42, Fresno State 14
No. 15 Virginia at Cal
Saturday, November 1
12:45 PM PT, ESPN2
I know the West Coast is chill, however sooner or later, Cal wants to determine what they’re doing with Justin Wilcox. If the Golden Bears end this season with a shedding report, it could be their eighth time in 9 years with him in cost.
California hosts Virginia this week in a sport they need to be capable to win. The Cavaliers barely survived their final two outings towards North Carolina and Washington State, each additional time victories.
The Bears have the expertise to beat the Cavs at dwelling. They match up effectively towards UV’s passing assault. Cal ranks thirty third in passing yards allowed per sport.
Hezekiah Lots is a playmaker within the secondary. He has 4 interceptions and 9 move deflections this season.
However it gained’t be straightforward as a result of Chandler Morris is a superb quarterback. Morris has thrown for 1,807 yards, 12 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions this yr. He additionally has 4 dashing touchdowns.
Virginia additionally struggles to defend the move, rating 88th in yards allowed per sport. The mixture of Trond Grizzell, Mason Mini, and Jacob De Jesus may be capable to exploit their secondary.
I need to choose Cal however I don’t belief them at this level.
UV turns California right into a commonwealth.
Virginia 38, Cal 28
Arizona at Colorado
Saturday, November 1
4:00 p.m. PT, FS1
The final time Colorado touched the sphere, the Buffs bought decimated by Utah. That efficiency doesn’t really feel like an correct illustration of their program.
They’ll have an opportunity to bounce again this week towards a struggling Arizona workforce at dwelling. The Wildcats want to kick Ralphie whereas he’s down.
The Buffaloes aren’t positive who they’re beginning quarterback goes to be on this contest. Kaidon Salter was abysmal towards the Utes, and Ryan Staub performed effectively in aid.
This could show regarding towards a UA secondary that ranks fortieth within the nation in passing yards allowed per sport. Arizona has 5 gamers who’ve at the very least one interception on the yr; Treydan Stukes and Jay’Vion Cole every have two.
CU additionally might battle to cease Ismail Mahdi. Colorado ranks one hundred and thirtieth nationally in dashing yards allowed per sport. The Utes rushed for 422 yards towards them final week. Mahdi leads the workforce with 445 yards dashing.
Noah Fifita and Kedrick Reescano have mixed for six dashing touchdowns. The Buffs’ secondary is a tad higher, rating forty third in move yards allowed per sport.
It’s laborious to select towards Colorado at Folsom, however Wilbur likes Bison meat.
The Wildcats take some burgers to go.
Arizona 38, Colorado 27
Wyoming at San Diego State
Saturday, November 1
4:00 PM PT, CBS Sports activities Community
San Diego State has made an enormous leap this yr beneath Sean Lewis. Despite the fact that Lewis is thought for his “Aztec FAST offense,” SDSU’s protection has confirmed vicious ever since its loss to Washington State.
The Aztecs have held 4 of their final 5 opponents beneath 10 factors, together with two shutouts towards Cal and Fresno State. They need to be capable to do one thing comparable towards a Wyoming offense that lacks an id.
Kaden Anderson’s a strong quarterback, however they don’t have quite a bit round him. He has thrown for 1.634 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. The Cowboys rank 113th nationally in factors scored per sport.
Wyoming additionally depends on a trio of halfbacks to maneuver the ball. Terron Kellman, Samuel Harris, and Sam Scott every have over 300 yards dashing this yr. As a workforce, the Pokes rank 99th in dashing yards per sport.
Their passing assault is a bit higher, rating 87th nationally.
San Diego State’s offense has began to enhance since Jayden Denegal turned its beginning quarterback. Fortunate Sutton’s additionally a superb halfback. Jordan Napier leads all Aztec receivers with 567 receiving yards.
San Diego State hype could be untimely, however Cowboys don’t like sand of their boots.
Snapdragon snaps again.
San Diego State 17, Wyoming 14
No. 23 USC at Nebraska 
Saturday November 1
4:30 PM PT, NBC
This matchup ought to be an elimination sport for the School Soccer Playoff. USC enters the competition after shedding to Notre Dame two weeks in the past. The Trojans are 1-2 on the street this yr.
Nebraska enters having barely escaped Northwestern final Saturday.
The important thing on this contest ought to be SC’s dashing assault. They common 204 yards per sport, rating twenty third nationally. And this might show troublesome for the Cornhuskers, as they rank 89th in dashing yards allowed per contest.
Waymond Jordan and King Miller have mixed for 956 dashing yards and eight dashing touchdowns.
One other attention-grabbing factor to observe on this matchup is Jayden Maiava towards the Huskers’ passing protection. USC ranks first in passing yards per sport nationally, whereas NU ranks second in passing yards allowed.
Flipping the husk, the Huskers even have an excellent passing assault, rating twenty fifth. However they lack the explosiveness of SC. Both method they are able to capitalize towards the Trojans weak secondary, which ranks eightieth in passing yards allowed.
Dylan Raiola has thrown for 1,909 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions this season.
You possibly can develop corn in California, too.
USC cuts some stalks.
USC 35, Nebraska 28
Washington State at Oregon State
Saturday, November 1
4:30 PM PT, CBS
Jimmy Rogers is constructing one thing at Washington State.
The win towards Toledo will get ignored on the nationwide radar, however the Rockets are a official program that has had a profitable report 14 out of the final 15 years.
Oregon State has an opportunity to vary the narrative of its season, however the Beavs should get it performed towards the Cougars.
Flipping the week, the Cougs have an opportunity to complete their common season 8-4, however can’t overlook the Beavers. OSU hasn’t crushed an FBS workforce this season. The important thing for WSU is to destroy the Beavs’ soul from the start.
The Cougar offense has struggled many of the season. They rank 111th in factors per sport. However they go on random spurts every so often. They scored 21 factors within the second quarter towards UT.
For Oregon State, it’s time for Maalik Murphy to go win a sport. OSU ranks 66th in passing yards per contest, however they gotta get it performed in a giant second.
Washington State has a strong protection, however lots of its gamers are taking part in their first yr on the FBS stage. The Beavs have gamers, too. However OSU ranks 84th in dashing yards allowed per sport, and the Cougs are persistent on the bottom.
Power and persistence conquer all issues.
WSU wins a bizarre one.
Washington State 24, Oregon State 21
No. 17 Cincinnati at No. 24 Utah
Saturday, November 1
7:15 p.m. PT, ESPN
College Gameday is coming to Salt Lake Metropolis, and Cincinnati higher be prepared.
The Bearcats enter this matchup with a 7-1 report, however their greatest victory got here towards Iowa State. Utah enters the competition with a 6-2 mark, however already has two losses within the Huge 12.
The Utes will likely be preventing for all the pieces. UC will probably battle to move the ball towards the U of U. Utah ranks seventh in move yards allowed per sport. Cincinnati ranks 58th in passing yards per sport.
The Bearcats’ stats are a bit of deceptive as a result of Brendan Sorsby’s a killer. Sorsby has thrown for 1,843 yards, 20 touchdowns, and one interception. He’s additionally added 425 yards on the bottom and 7 dashing touchdowns.
UC additionally should maintain its personal towards Utah’s offensive line. The Utes rank fifth nationally in dashing yards per sport. Additionally they rank twelfth within the nation in sacks allowed.
If Cincinnati can get a push, they need to be capable to deal with Wayshawn Parker.
Additionally they could possibly counter with their very own floor assault, which ranks thirty first in dashing yards per sport. The Utes rank 56th in dashing yards allowed per sport, however this quantity’s deceiving—they’ve been bettering.
Utah’s already misplaced as soon as at dwelling this yr, and it’s not occurring once more.
U of U will get it performed at Rice-Eccles.
Utah 31, Cincinnati 24
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
