Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 5 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

No. 24 TCU at Arizona State

Friday, September 26
6:00 PM PT, FOX

It feels weird that Arizona State isn’t ranked. Outside of their last-second loss to Mississippi State, they’ve looked legit. This week’s game should provide an opportunity for the Sun Devils to rebrand themselves on the National Stage.

TCU has played well this year with a blowout victory against North Carolina and a win over rival SMU last Saturday. But they haven’t faced anyone as talented as ASU.

The Horned Frogs must find a way to contain the dangerous offensive trio of Sam Leavitt, Raleek Brown, and Jordyn Tyson, who could be the first wideout selected in the upcoming NFL Draft.

Leavitt struggled against Mississippi State, but has looked better the last two weeks. He’s thrown for 748 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions on the season.

TCU is led by quarterback Josh Hoover, who threw for 379 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception a week ago. He also leads the nation in passing yards per game.

The Horned Frogs are ranked 101st nationally in passing yards allowed per game, which could enable Leavitt to have a big outing.

TCU will put some points on the board, but Tyson eats soft secondaries.

Sparky catches a frog.

Arizona State 42, TCU 28

Houston at Oregon State

Friday, September 26
7:30 PM PT, ESPN

Oregon State is in a brutal spot. The loss to Oregon should’ve been expected, but their schedule remains difficult throughout the next month.

If the Beavers want to do anything with their season, they’ll need to win two out of their next three matchups. The game against Houston is a life vest for their campaign.

If they can win this contest, they’ll gain vital momentum before traveling to Boone.

The Cougars are undefeated, but they’re not the Ducks. This is the type of matchup the Beavers must win if they want to re-establish themselves as a competitive team.

The Beavs have the talent to compete with UH, but they gotta make Conner Weigman  uncomfortable. Weigman has performed well this year, but struggled in 2024 at Texas A&M.

Houston historically has a good defense, so if he gets going, Oregon State might not be able to keep pace. A loss could heat up Trent Bray’s seat considerably, making it a moment of transition.

Transition mode activated.

Houston 35, Oregon State 20

No. 21 USC at No. 23 Illinois

Saturday, September 27
9:00 AM PT, FOX

College football has changed, hasn’t it? A ranked USC-Illinois matchup feels out of place, but the game should prove to be an opportunity for the Fighting Illini to make amends for what happened last week.

Illinois got decimated by Indiana in the East Chicago rivalry (not a thing), but it’s my Mom’s hometown.

The key for UI is protecting Luke Altmyer, who is a good quarterback when protected. He’s thrown for 855 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions.

The Hoosiers got 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage against Illinois, and the Trojans hope to repeat the formula. USC ranks first in the country in sacks and fourth in tackles for loss, so they should be able to capitalize against the Illini front.

UI’s line has proven shaky in the early season. Jayden Maiava will also need to continue playing well.

He has thrown for 1,223 yards, nine touchdowns, and no interceptions, adding four touchdowns with his feet.

Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane could also prove difficult for Illinois to handle. The duo has combined for 677 yards and four touchdowns.

Illinois has come a long way, but Lincoln Riley is tired of being disrespected.

USC tramples the Illini.

USC 38, Illinois 21

No. 1 Ohio State at Washington

Saturday, September 27
12:30 PM PT, CBS

Washington is much better than last season, but we’re about to find out if they’re College Football Playoff worthy. The Huskies have gotten off to a hot start this year, and their offense has looked unstoppable.

UW scored 58 points against Washington State a week ago. The Huskies didn’t punt once. It should prove interesting to see if Ohio State can slow down Washington’s offense. They’re the first team capable of handling them athletically.

The speed of Demond Williams Jr., combined with the physicality of Jonah Coleman, has stifled lesser competition. Denzel Boston has also been a dangerous No. 1 wideout.

For Ohio State, it’s about their duo of receivers. Jeremiah Smith is probably the best wideout in college football, and he’s complemented by Carnell Tate on the other side.

Ephesians Prysock may be able to slow down one of these guys, but not both.

Julian Sayin starts for the Buckeyes at quarterback. He’s thrown for 779 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions. OSU features two players at halfback, Bo Jackson and short-yardage guy CJ Donaldson.

Ohio State opened the season against Texas, so they have big game experience. This may be OSU’s first Big Ten trip to Seattle, but they’re built for it.

Brutus cracks Harry.

Ohio State 42, Washington 24

Utah at West Virginia

Saturday, September 27
12:30 PM PT, FOX

Utah suffered a tough loss last week, but this should be a good get-right game.

Although the trip to Morgantown is challenging, West Virginia is suffering from several injuries. The Mountaineers’ starting quarterback and leading rusher are both listed as questionable, and 10 other players are limited in some capacity.

This feels like something Kyle Whittingham and Morgan Scalley will capitalize on—even an inch of uncertainty against the Utes can spell doom.

Devon Dampier is looking to find his rhythm again after throwing for 162 yards, no touchdowns, and two interceptions a week ago.

The trio of Utes halfbacks will need to play better as well. Ryan Davis continued his recent form at wideout, finishing with 10 catches for 70 yards against the Red Raiders. He’s proven consistent in the last three games.

The Utah defense should be able to handle a limited West Virginia offense.

The Utes go “Buckwild” against the Mountaineers.

Utah 35, West Virginia 17

Cal at Boston College

Saturday, November 27
12:30 PM PT, ACC Network

What the flavor happened to Cal last week? The Golden Bears’ loss was unexpected, but how it happened was flabbergasting.

Luckily for Justin Wilcox, San Diego State isn’t in the ACC, and Cal faces Boston College this week.

Unfortunately, this type of early-season defeat has become all too regular under Wilcox. But it’s how Cal responds that’ll determine its fate.

The Bears started 3-0 a season ago, then lost their next four games.

The Eagles are a soft landing spot, even if the matchup is in Chestnut Hill. Cal can’t afford to lose this one. BC lost to Stanford two weeks ago and has lost their previous two contests.

Boston College is led by quarterback Dylan Lonergan, who played well against the Cardinal. But the Eagles failed to score a point in the second half. Lonergan has thrown for 991 yards, nine touchdowns, and one interception on the year.

BC has five different receivers who are credible threats. Lewis Bond leads the team in receptions and catches. If the Golden Bears don’t win this contest, it would destroy their season.

It won’t happen. It’s the Oski way.

Cal 28, Boston College 24

Arizona at No. 14 Iowa State

Saturday, September 27
4:00 pm PT, ESPN

With the two big matchups this week, this game might get overlooked, but it could end up being a program-defining win for Arizona.

The Wildcats have gotten off to a fast start, but they haven’t seen a team like Iowa State yet. The Cyclones haven’t looked amazing this year, but they’ve beaten two noteworthy opponents.

They opened their season by knocking off Kansas State in Ireland, and they’ve also taken down Iowa. ISU is led by quarterback Rocco Becht, who’s a boss in the fourth quarter.

Iowa State is 8-1 in one-score games since the beginning of last season, which is a reflection of Becht.

For UA, the offense runs through Noah Fifita, but the offensive line will need to step up this week. They’ve committed a few untimely penalties, and this could prove a killer on the road. Fifita has thrown for 712 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Ismail Mahdi also needs to have a productive game. He rushed for 189 yards on 22 carries against K-State. Javin Whatley will also need to make a few explosive plays. He’s proven a reliable target in the early season.

Arizona has improved, but Iowa State remembers what the other Arizona school did to them in the Big 12 championship.

Cy flies away from Wilbur.

Iowa State 31, Arizona 17

No. 6 Oregon at No. 3 Penn State

Saturday, September 27
4:30 PM PT, NBC

This is the most difficult game on Oregon’s slate this season. The Ducks enter this contest 4-0, but haven’t really played anyone notable yet.

Dante Moore has gotten off to a quick start, having thrown for 962 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception. Penn State has one of the best defenses in the country, so his decision-making will need to be quick.

The Nittany Lions are led up front by Dani Dennis-Sutton, who was a force last season. In 2025, he already has 4.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two pass breakups, and two forced fumbles.

Another player to know is linebacker Amare Campbell, who leads the team with 22 tackles.

PSU’s defense is only allowing 5.7 points per game.

Oregon may need Dakorien Moore to make a big play. The Ducks have multiple quality receivers, but the freshman may be able to provide a spark if the game gets tight.

Penn State is built similarly at the wideout position. Trebor Pena, who leads the Lions in receiving, is a solid route runner, but he won’t necessarily take over a game.

Both teams have talent at every position, and both teams have something to prove.

Oregon wins a close one fueled by a few explosive plays.

Time to shout in Happy Valley.

Oregon 38, Penn State 27

App State at Boise State

Saturday, November 27th
4:30 PM PT, FS1

Ihis game isn’t going to get national attention, but it’s an important matchup for Boise State.

The Broncos got merked by South Florida in the opener, which knocked them off the college football landscape. They’ve responded with offensive explosions in their last two games, combining for 100 points, but their defense has looked spotty.

Boise State allowed Air Force to throw the ball for 246 yards last week, and the Falcons don’t throw that well.

Boise currently ranks 85th in pass yards allowed per game. This is noteworthy because App State features one of the best pass offenses in the country, and they had a rough game last week.

The Mountaineers lost to Southern Miss last Saturday, and App State’s quarterback AJ Swann had a bad outing, tossing three interceptions and no touchdowns. He’ll look to exploit the Broncos’ secondary.

As bad as Boise State’s opening contest felt, the Bulls beat Florida in Gainesville the following week, so the Broncos could still be legit. Expect Boise State’s defense to shine, and for the foals to grow up quickly.

App State gets lost out west.

Boise State 45, App State 21

No. 25 BYU at Colorado

Saturday, September 27
7:15 pm PT, ESPN

I always pick Deion Sanders, though I’m not sure why. Colorado has an opportunity to brand itself as a legit team with a win against BYU.

The Cougars enter this contest undefeated and have looked unstoppable, but they haven’t played anyone on the Buffaloes’ level yet.

For CU, this matchup should be simple; it all depends on the play of quarterback Kaidon Salter, who started the season slow, got benched against Houston, and started again last week against Wyoming, playing well.

Salter has thrown for 565 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions this year.

The Cougs cast out their demons in Greenville, knocking off East Carolina. The Pirates aren’t quite the level of the Buffs, but they’re a solid opponent, having only lost to NC State by seven.

BYU is led by a fearsome defense and a tactical offense. LJ Martin is the statistical leader of this offensive unit, but Chase Roberts might be the better all-around player.

The Cougars defense leads the nation in points allowed per game.

Salter may “Understand How Colorado does things now,” but BYU always knew.

Cosmo claws Ralphie.

BYU 31, Colorado 20