Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 13 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

Hawai’i at UNLV

Friday, November 21
7:30 PM PT, FS1

This recreation is a pivotal matchup for the Mountain West. If UNLV wins, they’ll seemingly management their future to the convention title recreation. They could need assistance, however they need to be protected resulting from their energy of schedule.

If Hawaii will get the dub, they’d be in a stable spot, however they’d nonetheless want a Fresno State loss to make the title recreation, amongst different issues.

The important thing to this matchup needs to be whether or not the Bows’ protection can boss up. UH’s stopper unit performed properly in opposition to San Diego State, solely permitting six factors, however on the yr, they’ve given up 23.7 factors per recreation.

They’ll must discover a strategy to restrict a balanced Rebels assault. Anthony Colandrea has been a revelation at quarterback for LV. Colandrea has thrown for two,257 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions.

He’s additionally added 512 yards and 7 touchdowns on the bottom. Complementing him is Jai’Den Thomas, who helps gas UNLV’s speeding assault, which ranks eleventh nationally in yards per speeding try.

If the Rainbows Warriors join on a number of large passing performs, they may get the group on their aspect.

Las Vegas is known as the Ninth Island due to the variety of Hawaiians who trip and dwell there. But it surely’s a bit of too scorching for the locals.

UNLV infernos Hawai’i.

UNLV 38, Hawai’i 21

Washington State at James Madison

Saturday, Nov 22
10:00 AM PT, ESPN+

Washington State performed a stable recreation final week. It was ugly, however ugly is what it should take to win in Pullman long-term.

The WSU devoted would clearly like a victory over James Madison, however a six- and even seven-win marketing campaign could be a exceptional accomplishment contemplating the roster turnover, with a big portion of the brand new additions coming from FCS South Dakota State.

If the Cougs are going to drag an upset in Harrisonburg, they’ll want their offense to attain. The Dukes rank 14th nationally in factors per contest and seventh within the nation in speeding yards per recreation.

The Cougars have one of many higher defenses on the mid-major stage, so in the event that they’re offense scores a few touchdowns, they could be capable of steal a dub. Zevi Eckhaus can even must play properly, and he’s confirmed a little bit of all the pieces this yr.

WSU’s protection has solely allowed a mixed 20 factors in its final three matchups, so it needs to be alright on this finish of the sphere, regardless that JMU averages 37.1 factors per recreation.

The important thing to this contest needs to be if the Cougs can stress Alonza Barnett III. The Dukes’ offensive line ranks seventh nationally with a Professional Soccer Focus grade of 93.3.

Pretty much as good because the Cougs’ protection has been, they don’t have a real go rusher exterior of Isaac Terrell. This can show to be the distinction.

JMU Hadouken’s themselves nearer to the Faculty Soccer Playoff.

James Madison 28, WSU 20

Baylor at Arizona

Saturday, November 22
10:00 AM PT, TNT

In the fashionable period, most gamers switch when issues get laborious. Not Noah Fifita, I’d wish to shout him out. Fifita has stayed in Arizona all through his profession, and it feels just like the universe is rewarding him.

After a 4-3 begin, the Wildcats at the moment are 7-3. Baylor’s on the alternative finish of the spectrum. The Bears have misplaced three out of their final 4 contests, together with a drubbing by Utah final week.

BU continues to be harmful, although. They’ve a potent offense led by Sawyer Robertson, who leads the nation in whole passing yards and is second in landing passes. He’s the salmon for the Bears.

This contest pits muscle on muscle, as Baylor has thrown for greater than 300 yards in six video games, whereas UA options the most effective secondaries within the nation.

The Cats rank seventh within the nation in passing yards allowed per recreation. Arizona can be tenth in interceptions per contest. Jay’Vion Cole leads the unit with 4.

One other key on this matchup is whether or not Baylor can get stress on Fifita. They rank final within the convention with solely ten sacks this season. They need to have a possibility to stress him as a result of Arizona has allowed 27 sacks on the yr, eleventh within the Massive 12.

These groups may be comparable talent-wise, however the Cats lineup properly in opposition to the Bears. I’d additionally wish to consider loyalty garners respect.

Fifita will get Quantity Eight.

Arizona 35, Baylor 27

No. 15 USC at No. 7 Oregon

Saturday, November 22
12:30 PM PT, CBS

This is the most important recreation of the week nationally, and the end result may have a right away influence on the Faculty Soccer Playoffs.

Oregon enters this contest having defeated Minnesota 42-13 final week and is driving a five-game win streak. USC enters it after making a pleasant second-half comeback in opposition to Iowa, an important win for his or her season.

The important thing to this recreation needs to be whether or not the Trojans can match the physicality of the Geese. UO ranks eighth nationally in speeding yards per recreation, and SC ranks 62nd in speeding yards allowed per contest.

If USC can’t restrict Oregon’s speeding assault, they’ll don’t have any likelihood on this recreation. At a minimal, they’ll should be dominant within the purple zone. USC ranks seventh in purple zone protection.

One other key on this matchup is the well being of Oregon’s receivers. Dakorien Moore and Gary Bryant Jr. each missed the sport in opposition to Minnesota. The duo has mixed for 742 receiving yards and 7 landing receptions.

SC will hope that their offensive line protects Jayden Maiava. The Trojan blockers are stable, rating twenty first nationally in sacks allowed per recreation, however they need to make it simpler on themselves by operating the ball.

Waymond Jordan is out, however King Miller continues to be legit. If the Geese hadn’t misplaced to Indiana earlier this yr, the Trojans might need pulled off the upset. However Oregon gained’t lose at dwelling twice.

UO Shouts.

Oregon 42, USC 24

Kansas State at No. 12 Utah

Saturday, November 22
1:00 PM PT, ESPN2

This is a significant matchup for each groups in numerous methods. The Utes are nonetheless hoping they’ll make the Massive 12 title recreation, however they’ll want numerous assist. Kansas State, on the opposite foot, is in search of a win to change into bowl eligible.

The important thing to this matchup needs to be whether or not Avery Johnson can play in opposition to the Utes’ protection.

Johnson has gotten higher at throwing the ball, however he might need hassle in opposition to a U of U protection that ranks sixteenth in crew sacks. The Wildcats have solely allowed ten sacks this season, so one thing’s gotta break.

Safety’s essential as a result of Utah additionally has a stable again finish, ranked twenty fourth nationally in go yards allowed per recreation.

Flipping the sphere, the Utes will look to make use of a mess of rushers to regulate the tempo of the matchup. U of U has 4 totally different gamers who can influence the bottom recreation, plus two quarterbacks and two halfbacks.

Wayshawn Parker leads the group in whole speeding yards, averaging 7.2 yards per carry, whereas NaQuari Rogers leads the crew with ten speeding touchdowns. Utah’s run recreation is second within the nation, averaging 278 yards per contest.

Additionally they do a very good job of defending their sign caller, rating seventh in sacks allowed. If Kansas State had a number of extra playmakers, they may compete on this matchup, however they’re dealing with a hungry Utah dwelling crew in November.

Rice-Eccles turns Ok-State into risotto.

Utah 45, Kansas State 17

Cal at Stanford

Saturday, Nov 22
4:30 PM PT, ACC Community

“The Massive Recreation” is again once more, and this yr’s model is projected to be a detailed matchup. Despite the fact that Cal has the higher document, they’re solely favored by 1.5 factors.

The important thing to this contest needs to be whether or not Stanford can maintain tempo with California. The Tree rank twenty ninth in factors scored per recreation nationally and struggles to guard the quarterback.

Stanford is 113th within the nation with 38 sacks allowed. That is regarding as a result of Elijah Brown is simply making his third collegiate begin. If Brown can discover CJ Williams early, it might open up one thing large late within the recreation.

For the Golden Bears, there are two keys to this matchup: First, discover a strategy to run the ball and end within the purple zone. The Bears rank 132nd nationally in speeding yards per recreation, and regardless that they’ve extra expertise, they could discover it troublesome to complete drives.

The Cardinal rank twenty fourth nationally in purple zone protection. They’ll additionally want Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele to proceed to guard the ball. After the three-interception recreation at Duke, he’s solely thrown two within the final 4 outings.

So long as he avoids errors, Cal ought to be capable of management the tempo of the competition. The Golden Bears might get Cade Uluave again on protection as properly.

California’s season has been odd, however a win right here gives a little bit of normality.

The Bears “Beastmode” the Tree.

Cal 21, Stanford 17

No. 11 BYU at Cincinnati

Saturday, November 22
5:00 PM PT, FOX

Cincinnati’s season took a special tone with its loss in opposition to Arizona final week. BYU lastly knocked off TCU, their first victory in opposition to the Horned Toads since 2007.

The important thing to this week’s affair needs to be Brendan Sorsby’s capability to bounce again. Sorsby had a troublesome outing in opposition to the Wildcats, solely throwing for 154 yards, one landing, and two interceptions.

This matchup ought to show tough for him as a result of BYU performs numerous man-to-man protection, the thirty seventh highest price nationally. UC has struggled in opposition to this fashion of protection the previous couple of weeks.

However they’ve the gamers to beat it, rating tenth within the nation in passing yards per completion. It gained’t be simple, although; the Cougars rank 14th nationally in factors allowed per recreation.

One other space of concern on this matchup is the Bearcats’ protection in opposition to Bear Bachmeier (it occurred). They’ll must keep away from chunk performs by way of the air in opposition to a BYU crew that’s a Prime 40 unit in yards per completion.

They need to swarm gamers like Parker Kingston and Chase Roberts to keep away from yards after catch. It’s vital as a result of Cincinnati ranks 86th within the nation in go yards allowed per recreation.

Cincy is having a heck of a yr, however BYU’s on a mission.

The Cougs devoted convey some funeral potatoes to the Bearcats.

BYU 31, Cincinnati 20

No. 25 Arizona State at Colorado

Saturday, November 22
5:00 PM PT, ESPN2

This is a singular matchup that signifies the period of faculty soccer that we’re in. Arizona State’s beginning quarterback is being shopped by his agent, whereas their backup is discovering his rhythm at his third main FBS program.

Colorado, on the opposite horn, has had signal-caller points all yr after their switch quarterback didn’t dwell as much as expectations. The Buffs at the moment are beginning their third-string quarterback, Julian Lewis.

Nevertheless, the story lies on the opposite aspect of the sphere. The important thing to this contest needs to be whether or not the Buffaloes can comprise Jeff Sims. If Sims has an enormous day, ASU is gonna be robust to beat.

Sims has led the Solar Devils to back-to-back victories since turning into the starter, and has thrown for 384 yards, 4 touchdowns, and one interception in these two matchups. He’s additionally added 309 yards and two touchdowns along with his ft.

CU ranks final within the Massive 12 in speeding protection, so this needs to be a focus of their recreation plan. The Buffs might want to discover a strategy to do one thing on offense.

Lewis seemed respectable in opposition to West Virginia, however he has solely performed three video games on the collegiate stage, and he’s had unhealthy safety. He was sacked seven instances in opposition to the Mountaineers.

Colorado might nonetheless make performs, although. ASU is final within the Massive 12 in passing yards allowed per recreation.

Ralphie’s falling off a mountain proper now, and his pack’s gone.

Sparky prods the Buffs.

Arizona State 28, Colorado 24

Washington at UCLA

Saturday, November 22
7:30 PM PT, NBC

This matchup will largely be decided by the supply of Nico Iamaleava, who suffered a concussion in opposition to Nebraska and didn’t play in opposition to Ohio State. He’s presently listed as day-to-day.

If Iamaleava doesn’t play, UCLA might want to discover a strategy to substitute most of their manufacturing on offense. If he makes the beginning, we might have a enjoyable contest. No matter his standing, this is a chance for Washington to look higher on the highway.

The Huskies haven’t scored greater than 24 factors in a highway contest this season, averaging 34.3 factors per recreation this yr. UW’s additionally set to get Jonah Coleman again, after lacking final week’s recreation following an damage at Wisconsin.

Having him again within the lineup is paramount for the Dawgs’ success. He’s the bash, to Demond Williams Jr. flash. The Bruins rank 121st nationally in opposition to the run, so UW ought to be capable of take benefit.

LA additionally ranks 84th in purple zone protection, which is problematic in opposition to Coleman. The Bruins want to carry Washington to a few downs greater than as soon as in the event that they’d like to hold round.

One other factor to look at on this contest is which Williams Jr. exhibits up. In two out of the earlier 4 matchups he’s struggled, however in opposition to Purdue and Illinois, he was elite.

He must be exact in opposition to a UCLA secondary that ranks twenty seventh in yards allowed per recreation.

The Bruins haven’t give up, however the Huskies are too good.

Harry steals Joe Bruins’ seaside towel.

Washington 42, UCLA 14

San Jose State at San Diego State

Saturday, November 22
7:30 PM PT, FS1

This is a crucial matchup for San Diego State after final week’s loss to Hawaii. It’s a must-win in the event that they’d like to remain atop the Mountain West. San Jose State is trying to get proper after two straight losses.

This matchup is a random rivalry known as the “Camino Actual Rivalry,” however the stakes are actual. The important thing to this recreation needs to be whether or not the Aztecs can cease the Spartans’ passing assault.

If SJSU can’t throw, they gained’t win. With out their passing assault, they’re a restricted crew. Final week, they misplaced to Nevada by 45 factors once they couldn’t transfer the ball by way of the air.

SJSU ranks fourth nationally in passing yards per recreation. This contest is a chance for SDSU to make amends after what occurred final week. They had been cooked by Hawaii, however their protection has confirmed fearsome all season.

Even after giving up 38 factors, they nonetheless rank fourth within the nation in factors allowed per recreation. They’re robust in opposition to each the push and the go, rating tenth in passing yards allowed per contest, and 14th in speeding yards allowed per recreation.

If their scoring unit gives one thing, they need to be alright. However the offense does want to attain greater than six factors. That’s unacceptable.

The mixture of Jayden Denegal, Fortunate Sutton, and Jordan Napier ought to be capable of expose the Spartans 132nd 132nd-ranked scoring protection.

The crew with no official mascot wins.

SDSU 31, SJSU 14