Posted on November 17, 2023
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Wise is the bettor who consults Nick’s No-Nonsense Betting Tips before logging on to his sportsbook.
Last week was pretty good for me—and for you, if you followed my advice.
I went 8-4, missing on the UNLV-Wyoming, Arizona State-UCLA, San Jose State-Fresno State, and Hawai’i-Air Force games.
So where did I go wrong on those four?
Realistically, I should have seen the Wyoming upset coming. The Rebels have made a dramatic turnaround under Barry Odom, and they shouldn’t be overlooked going forward.
The UCLA loss was just crazy. Who could have foreseen Kenny Dillingham resorting—successfully—to the Swinging Gate to compensate for a lack of healthy offensive linemen?
Predicting wins by San Jose State and Hawai’i were just off the charts. Am I right or am I right?
Even with those misses, I’m still an impressive 93-36 on the season. But enough hindsight. It’s time to look ahead to this week’s games.
As always, my selections come with incredibly accurate game scores and just enough commentary to keep me from eating too many baby dill pickles.
The Jar is already half-empty, so let’s get on with the picks!
Colorado at Washington State
Friday, November 17
7:30 pm PT, FS1
In theory, the Washington State Cougars still have a chance to make a bowl game, but they enter this matchup having lost six in a row.
To have a chance to compete in this contest, they’ll need their receivers to win in one-on-one matchups. Running back Nakia Watson, and wideouts Josh Kelly and Kyle Williams haven’t made enough plays to win games this year.
Colorado enters this matchup having lost six of their last seven, but in theory, the Buffs could also still make a bowl.
The main problem for the Buffaloes is their lack of depth on both sides of the line.
Both teams’ strengths match the opposition’s weaknesses, and vice versa Part 2. But the Cougs defensive line could prove too much to overcome.
WSU by 3.
Washington State 30, Colorado 27
No. 14 Oklahoma at BYU
Saturday, November 18
9:00 am PT, ESPN
BYU’s loss last week felt like the reality setting in that they now play in a power conference.
The Cougars may have been hyped to defend Kalani Sitake’s honor, but West Virginia had much better players.
Entering this contest, the Cougs need to find a new game plan if they are going to beat Oklahoma. They’re not going to beat the Sooners with smart play, so they need to try something a little bit janky.
They’d also benefit from Chase Roberts ballin’ out.
Oklahoma needs to kick the cat while its down. The Sooners are obviously the better team and Dillon Gabriel and the Nation’s fourth-ranked scoring offense should handle the Cats easily.
Enough feline references, Oklahoma cruises.
Oklahoma 45, BYU 17
Hawai’i at Wyoming
Saturday, November 18
11:00 am PT, Spectrum Sports
Ey, my second favorite team in the world is starting to do some things. Hawai’i enters this contest with a monumental upset over Air Force last week, and the week prior they knocked off Nevada.
If the Rainbow Warriors would like to get their third straight, they’ll need their defense to continue to shine, having held their last two opponents to a combined 27 points.
For Wyoming, this contest should be a bounceback. The Cowboys got handled easily by UNLV, which likely eliminated them from the Mountain West Championship.
These teams are headed in opposite directions but the breakdown’s simple: Which quarterback will play better? I got Andrew Peasley.
Dem boys by four.
Wyoming 28, Hawai’i 24
No. 22 Utah at No. 17 Arizona
Saturday, November 18
11:30 am PT, Pac-12
My SuperWest Sports colleague Dane Miller—an Arizona grad—probably doesn’t like me anymore.
Two weeks ago, I picked UCLA to beat the Wildcats, and the week prior, I went with Oregon State.
This week, think I can say this again (weakly) that the Wildcats have their biggest test. If AZ can knock off the Utes then they can consider themselves a top-four team in the Pac-12.
Regardless, they’ve improved fortyfold.
For Utah, this game isn’t of the utmost importance but Kyle Whittingham likes to win. I’d expect a bounceback performance from Bryson Barnes, who threw two interceptions against Washington.
But even if he plays better, Arizona’s looked like the more dominant team recently.
Still, Pig farmers by four.
Utah 27, Arizona 23
UCLA at USC
Saturday, November 18
12:30 pm PT, ABC
In this year’s battle of the defectors, we have a team that has vastly underperformed versus a team that has underperformed. (I had to get my final shot in—these two teams likely sent my Cougs to the Mountain West.)
On the field, this game should prove to be an interesting dynamic for Caleb Williams. He obviously wanted more out of this season, but he’s going to have to balance beating his rivals while protecting himself.
For UCLA, what in the flavor happened last week? Just when I was ready to give Chip Kelly a little credit, his Bruins embarrassed themselves.
I know UCLA was on its eighth-string quarterback but so was Arizona State. Last year’s Heisman winner ain’t no eighth-stringer.
March on SC.
USC 35, UCLA 21
UNLV at Air Force
Saturday, November 18
12:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
This is a unique game between two teams that are trying to take the next step forward.
Air Force needs to immediately right the jet after suffering a humiliating loss to Hawai’i last week and falling to Army the week prior.
If the Falcons are going to clinch a berth in the Mountain West Title game, they need to get their offense back on track. They’ve scored a combined 16 points in their last two games.
For UNLV, this is uncharted territory. The Rebels grabbed a huge win against Wyoming and they have a chance to clinch a berth in the MW Championship game.
Quarterback Jayden Maiava could end up being a household name by career’s end, but not yet.
The Falcons win tough.
Air Force 27, UNLV 24
No. 6 Oregon at Arizona State
Saturday, November 18
1:00 pm PT, FOX
Arizona State’s victory against UCLA is indicative of a program on the rise. The Sun Devils have now won two out of their last three and played Washington hard.
If ASU is going to win this game, they’ll need to bust out all of the trick plays. It feels unlikely that Trenton Bourguet is 100 percent healthy, and even if he is, the Sun Devils will need to play above their NIL grade.
For Oregon, don’t do it again. Do not do what you did in 2019 with Justin Herbert. Please just win this game comfortably, Ducks.
Oregon’s the superior team talent-wise but Kenny Dillingham knows some thangs, just not enough.
UO by a lot.
Oregon 38, Arizona State 14
California at Stanford
Saturday, November 18
3:30 pm PT, Pac-12
The Big Game’s pretty confusing this year. Stanford enters this contest in a weird place after getting trounced by Oregon State last week and knocking off WSU the week prior.
If the Cardinal would like to compete in this contest they’ll need their offense to step up. Stanford’s scoring unit ranks 110th in the nation and they’ve lacked a clear identity all season.
If the Cardinal want to walk away with the Stanford Axe, they’ll need Ashton Daniels to have a solid outing.
For California, a loss here and it’s time to get Justin Wilcox out of Berkeley. On the “tails” side, if the Golden Bears win this contest, they will be one game away from becoming bowl-eligible.
Jaydn’s Ott’s likely the biggest game changer on the field and that’s what’s needed in a rivalry.
Cal keeps their bowl hopes alive.
California 35, Stanford 21
Boise State at Utah State
Saturday, November 18
4:00 pm PT, CBS Sports
I‘m hoping that Boise State begins to find itself again. With the firing of Andy Avalos, the Broncos have an opportunity to rebuild themselves back into the best Group of Five team.
Since the hiring of Avalos, Boise has become merely a decent Mountain West squad. In Idaho, that’s an insult.
For Utah State, a sixth win would likely qualify them for postseason play. If I were the Aggies coach I’d tell them to jump Boise from the start and try to destroy their souls.
But to do so, they’ll need to start the same quarterback for more than two games in a row.
Broncos win close.
Boise State 31, Utah State 30
No. 5 Washington at No. 11 Oregon State
Saturday, November 18
4:30 pm PT, ABC
Every real college football fan in America knows what’s on the line for Washington.
A win in Corvallis would be a huge step toward not only qualifying for the Pac-12 Championship but the College Football Playoff as well.
If the Huskies are going to get it done, they’ll need to find a way to stop Oregon State’s rushing attack.
UW’s rush defense isn’t bad—it ranks 50th in the nation—but they could be outmatched by Oregon State’s senior-led offensive line.
For the Beavers, it’s time to take the next step. OSU is a different program than they were five years ago, but a win here, and they’re on the brink of becoming elite.
If the Beavers want to get a dub, they’ll likely need huge performances from wideouts Silas Bolden and Anthony Gould. If these two don’t get involved the Beavs may struggle to find big plays.
I like everything that Oregon’s State is doing but not enough to pick them.
The Dawgs get closer.
Washington 38, Oregon State 28
New Mexico at Fresno State
Saturday, November 18
7:30 pm PT, FS1
Usually, I have a witty first line off the top of my head, but this is not that preview.
Fresno State enters this matchup hoping to keep themselves in the Mountain West title race after getting their asses handed to them by San Jose State last week.
The Bulldogs just gotta keep going. Few expected San Jose State to beat them by 24 last week but aberrations happen.
New Mexico is a dangerous team because they have nothing to lose. It should be interesting to see how the Lobos perform because they were eliminated from the postseason in their last outing.
If they are going to compete they’ll need a huge day from running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt, but it still won’t be enough.
Fresno in the V.
Fresno State 42, New Mexico 23
San Diego State at San Jose State
Saturday, November 18
7:30 pm PT, CBS Sports
To be quite frank, San Diego State has fallen off a little bit, and that’s not being frank enough. The Aztecs enter this matchup having lost three games in a row, all within reach.
SDSU has shown the ability to compete but just hasn’t gotten it done. They need someone, anyone, to make plays.
San Jose State enters this matchup on a vibe after a pivotal win against Fresno State. The Spartans have won four straight matchups and are looking for that proverbial sixth win.
They feature a balanced offensive attack led by Chevan Cordeiro and Kairee Robinson. SDSU features nothing.
Spartans by fourteen.
SJSU 31, SDSU 17
—More from Nick Bartlett—
Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.
