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 provide you with my just-for-fun picks for contests involving the perfect groups within the West throughout 5 conferences.
These groups embody Arizona, ASU, BYU, Colorado, and Utah within the Massive 12; Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington within the Massive Ten; Cal and Stanford within the ACC; Oregon State and WSU within the Pac-12; and the entire Mountain West.
I went 9-1 within the 10 Week 5 video games, lacking solely on USC’s loss to Illinois. That brings my total file to 39-14 on the season, good for 74%.
This week, I make picks for the next 10 video games:
- New Mexico at San Jose State
- West Virginia at BYU
- Colorado State at San Diego State
- Oklahoma State at Arizona
- Oregon State at App State
- Boise State at Notre Dame
- Washington at Maryland
- UNLV at Wyoming
- Colorado at TCU
- Duke at California
Additionally, you will need to learn my previews of ACC and Pac-12 video games, Stephen Vilardo’s preview of the Mountain West and Massive Ten matchups, and Dane Miller’s previews of the Massive 12 contests.
As all the time, my picks include my finest game-score guesses and simply sufficient commentary to maintain me from consuming 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!
New Mexico at San Jose State 
Friday, October 3
7:00 PM PT, FS1
New Mexico has gotten off to a very good begin this 12 months. They performed Michigan powerful within the Massive Home, after which gained their subsequent three contests.
The Lobos are led by new head coach Jason Eck. On offense, Jack Layne has confirmed to be a dependable quarterback who has thrown for 818 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.
UNM has three working backs who every have greater than 175 yards. Dorian Thomas is their finest receiving risk at tight finish.
This sport is a chance to make an instantaneous assertion to the Mountain West. For San Jose State, they gotta re-find their rhythm. The Spartans have been projected to be a good group of 5 groups, however have stumbled within the non-conference.
It might profit them to seek out extra offensive steadiness; they rank 121st in dashing yards per sport.
They’ve a High 25 passing assault led by Walker Eget, and he’s been discovering his movement of late, throwing 4 touchdowns and no interceptions in his final two outings.
He additionally threw for 473 yards every week in the past. Jordan Pollard is their playmaker on protection. San Jose State had a nasty loss in opposition to Central Michigan to open their season; it’s time to maneuver the clock ahead.
That is Sparta.
SJSU 31, New Mexico 21
West Virginia at No. 23 BYU
Friday, October 3
7:30 pm PT, ESPN
This looks like a entice sport for BYU. West Virginia enters this contest after getting drilled their final two matchups.
The Mountaineers are closely reliant on their run sport. It’s one of many few areas they’ve discovered success within the early season. WVU ranks twenty second in dashing yards per sport.
Nicco Marchiol has had a tough 12 months; he’s thrown for 720 yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions.
From a statistical standpoint, West Virginia doesn’t have a star on offense. They get their yards on the bottom from a large number of gamers. Cam Vaughn is their main receiver with 276 yards and two touchdowns.
The Cougars enter this contest after an enormous victory in opposition to Colorado. Regardless that BYU averages 38.5 factors per sport, they’re offense isn’t explosive; it’s environment friendly.
Bear Bachmeier was prepared for the second final week. He led the group in each passing and dashing yards.
LJ Martin is a troublesome veteran runner who understands the place. Martin has 400 yards and one landing on the 12 months. Chase Roberts leads the group in each receiving yards and landing receptions.
West Virginia might be underrated, however Cosmo scales the mountain.
BYU 35, West Virginia 20
Colorado State at San Diego State 
Friday, October 3
7:30 PM PT, CBSSN
As a Washington State fan, I used to be stunned that Jay Norvell benched Brayden Fowler-Nicolosi final week. Jackson Brousseau didn’t meet the usual, throwing for 188 yards and no touchdowns.
Fowler-Nicolosi is the beginning sign caller once more this week, and it looks like Norvell had a ploy to wake him up earlier than convention play. He has thrown for 488 yards, one landing, and no interceptions.
The Rams’ offense has been struggling to get going this season. CSU’s scoring unit ranks 131st nationally. Most of Colorado’s State productiveness on offense has come from the halfback tandem of Jalen Dupree and Lloyd Avant.
San Diego State enters this matchup on a two-game win streak. They barely scooted by Northern Illinois every week in the past. The Aztecs wrestle mightily on offense, however have a High 10-ranked scoring protection.
Their finest participant on that facet of the ball is Trey White, who can wreck a sport plan.
On offense, exterior of Fortunate Sutton, they’ve struggled to maneuver the ball. Sutton has rushed for 337 yards and three touchdowns. Jordan Napier can also be a risk at wideout. Fowler-Nicolosi’s all the time been a very good participant, and I like what Norvell did.
I’ll meet CAM the Ram within the quad.
Colorado State 27, SDSU 17
Oklahoma State at Arizona
Saturday, October 4
12:00 pm PT, TNT
Arizona received a little bit of a actuality examine in opposition to Iowa State, however they’re nonetheless a very good group. This contest is well-timed for the Wildcats. Oklahoma State enters this sport with just one win on the 12 months in opposition to UT Martin, which has misplaced 12 straight in opposition to the FBS.
For UA, this sport ought to present a pleasant confidence increase for Noah Fifita, who struggled in opposition to the Cyclones, throwing two interceptions. He ought to be capable to benefit from a Cowboys protection that ranks 126th in factors allowed per sport.
The Pokes allowed over 600 yards of offense in opposition to Baylor final week. Additionally they rank close to the underside of the nation offensively, scoring solely 17.2 factors per sport.
Interim head coach Doug Meacham is in a troublesome spot. One other profit for Arizona is the event of Ismail Mahdi, who has rushed for 348 yards and one landing this 12 months.
The Wildcats additionally boast the Twenty fifth-ranked protection in factors allowed per sport. If UA didn’t have such a troublesome outing every week in the past, this could possibly be an upset.
Wilbur and Wilma catch a Cowboy.
Arizona 45, Oklahoma State 14
Oregon State at Appalachian State
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM, ESPN+
Oregon State’s in a troublesome spot, however they nonetheless have a bit life left. A loss in opposition to App State would finish this notion. It felt just like the Beavers outplayed Houston final week, however got here away with one other loss ultimately.
If the Beavs performed the identical means they did in opposition to the Cougars, they may win in Boone. At this level, stats don’t matter for OSU; they simply gotta win. Maalik Murphy must play higher, however he additionally has a small injury-something to look out for.
This contest might show harmful in opposition to a proficient Mountaineers line of defense. App State averages slightly below three sacks per sport and has 75 quarterback pressures.
On offense, the Mountaineers are led by quarterback AJ Swann. His confidence could also be a bit off, although, as he’s thrown 5 interceptions in his final two video games.
Rashod Dubinion has had a stable 12 months, having rushed for 513 yards and two touchdowns. App State’s finest receiver is Jaden Barnes. Oregon State’s offense is fueled by the mix of Anthony Hankerson and Trent Walker.
The Beavs are so shut, and cigars are enjoyable.
Corvallis will get on the board.
Oregon State 21, App State 10
Boise State at No. 21 Notre Dame
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM PT, NBC
This sport’s vital for Boise State. The Broncos have been stunned by South Florida within the opener, and it harm their Nationwide fame. They’ve an opportunity to rectify this in South Bend.
Notre Dame’s gonna take them critically; their School Soccer Playoff might be on the road. And it looks like CJ Carr is getting progressively higher. Carr threw for 354 yards and 4 touchdowns every week in the past.
Plus Jeremiyah Love is Jeremiyah Love. Additionally they have a second choice at halfback in Jadarian Value. Value has rushed for 273 yards and 6 touchdowns.
The Preventing Irish’s protection hasn’t seemed good apart from final week, which is one thing Boise could possibly capitalize on.
The Broncos are led on offense by Maddux Madsen, who’s a dependable veteran quarterback and is aware of discover wins.
Dylan Riley has additionally proven glimpses at working again; he has two 100-yard dashing video games. Malik Sherrod gives depth because the second choice. Boise State has 4 completely different receivers who’ve not less than 148 yards.
The Broncos are normally aggressive on protection, however it might backfire on this contest.
It’s all Love.
Notre Dame 38, Boise State 24
Washington Huskies at Maryland Terrapins
Saturday, October 4
12:30 PM PT, BTN
Washington’s a very good group that wasn’t fairly able to take down the defending Nationwide Champion.
The Huskies are led by Demond Williams Jr., who ought to look higher this week. UW’s offense solely scored six factors in opposition to the Buckeyes, which ought to scare the turtle out of Maryland.
Jonah Coleman continues to be probably the most underrated halfbacks within the nation. He’s constructed like Marshawn Lynch.
The most important space of concern on this contest for Washington could be fatigue. Maryland has had two weeks off to organize for this matchup.
The Terrapins enter this contest with a very good file, however haven’t performed anybody on the Dawgs’ degree but. Their most notable consequence was a 17-point victory in Madison.
UMD’s greatest energy on this sport is its line of defense. They’re tied for first within the nation, averaging 4 sacks per sport.
At sign caller, they’re led by Malik Washington. Washington ought to be a pressure sooner or later, however he struggles with accuracy points. He’s thrown for 1,038 yards, eight touchdowns, and one interception.
They’ll doubtless wrestle to run in opposition to the Dawgs.
Huskies are cute till they get mad. Harry cracks Testudo.
Washington 42, Maryland 17
UNLV at Wyoming 
Saturday, October 4
4:00 PM PT, CBSSN
UNLV has quietly snuck out to an undefeated file this season. The Rebels nearly received tripped up in opposition to Miami (OH), however they survived. In the event that they wanna make life simple in opposition to Wyoming, they’ll want their protection to step up early.
The Cowboys are ranked 126th in factors scored per sport, so that they don’t need to allow them to discover their steez, notably at house. UW depends on a dual-threat tandem at halfback. Samuel Harris and Sam Scott have mixed for 475 yards and two touchdowns.
UNLV contains a balanced offensive assault. Jai’Den Thomas is their finest participant at halfback, however Anthony Colandrea is proving to be a reliable sidekick.
Colandrea has thrown for 940 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. He’s additionally added 229 yards along with his ft. Jaden Bradley is their finest receiver.
If Wyoming needs to make some noise in Laramie, they’ll want Kaden Anderson to ball out. He’s solely finishing 55 p.c of his passes.
If the Boys had a bit extra on offense, they’d get it carried out.
Time for a Insurgent yell.
UNLV 28, Wyoming 14
Colorado at TCU
Saturday, October 4
4:30 pm PT, FOX
This line feels bizarre to me. I get that Colorado is 0-2 within the Massive 12, however TCU enters this sport as two-touchdown favorites.
Each squads are coming off heartbreaking losses final week. The Buffaloes blew a 14-point lead, whereas the Horned Frogs blew a 17-pointer. The important thing for each groups will in all probability be which quarterback performs higher.
Josh Hoover is a killer for TCU. He’s thrown for 1,242 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Hoover could be one of many extra underrated quarterbacks nationally.
CU is led by Kaidon Salter, who hasn’t performed nicely this 12 months besides within the Wyoming sport. That is his second begin again after being benched for the Houston contest.
However it’s greater than him; the Buffs have confirmed inconsistent throughout the board.
One factor working in Colorado’s favor is that the frogs wrestle to run the ball, and the Buffs rank 123rd in dashing yards allowed per sport. If CU’s going to win this contest, they’ll want their receivers to take over. TCU ranks a hundred and tenth in passing yards allowed per sport.
Each defenses are mid.
These aren’t known as fearless predictions for nothing—the Buffaloes pull the upset.
Colorado 38, TCU 35
Duke at Cal
Saturday, October 4
7:30 PM, ESPN
Cal has gotta look higher than they did final week in opposition to Boston School. The Golden Bears must do nicely throughout this portion of their ACC schedule, or issues might get tough the rest of the 12 months.
Duke has been spotty this season, however has bounced again with two victories in opposition to NC State and Syracuse. The Blue Devils are led by Darian Mensah on offense, who has been cooking this 12 months. Mensah’s thrown for 1,573 yards, 13 touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Additionally they have a stable halfback in Nate Sheppard. Cooper Barkate is their main receiver. He has 409 yards and three touchdowns on the 12 months.
For Cal, Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele must keep away from turnovers in opposition to Duke. The Blue Devils’ protection is doing its factor during the last three video games. They’ve pressured seven turnovers.
The Bears additionally must get Kendrick Raphael carries on this contest. Duke options the ACC chief in sacks, Vincent Anthony Jr., at defensive finish. They’ll must preserve him off steadiness. They might additionally profit from a number of fast hitters to Trond Grizzell.
That is Cal’s homecoming sport, and I believe they received Cal’s regular weirdness out’ve the way in which.
Duke will get misplaced on the sideshow.
Cal 31, Duke 28
Writes about soccer and basketball as a Senior Author and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Present” for SuperWest Sports activities.
