Nick Bartlett’s 2025 Week 4 SuperWest Fearless Predictions

No. 17 Texas Tech at No. 16 Utah

Saturday, September 20
9:00 am PT, FOX

We thought we knew something about Utah after their win against UCLA. We know nothing. Fox’s Big Noon game will be an opportunity for everyone to find out who the Utes really are.

U of U has gotten off to a fast start, but they haven’t played anyone good yet. This contest will be an opportunity for Devon Dampier to showcase himself on the National Stage.

Dampier has been solid for Utah, throwing for 682 yards, seven touchdowns, and no interceptions. He’s also added 198 and one touchdown with his feet.

The Utes have a good O-line, but they will be tested by Texas Tech’s defensive front, which is fueled by a bunch of off-season transfers. Defensive end David Bailey and Romello Height are tied for the team lead with 2.5 sacks.

The Utes will also need to contain Tech’s explosive offense, led by Behren Morton, who has thrown for 923 yards, 11 touchdowns, and one interception.

Morton is complemented by a multitude of talent at the skill positions, with Adam Hill and Coy Eakin as the leading contributors.

U of U had a rough introduction to the Big-12; it’s time for them to reintroduce themselves.

Raider Red gets swamped by the MUSS.

Utah 38, Texas Tech 28

UNLV at Miami (OH)

Saturday, September 20
9:00 AM PT, ESPNU

This is a trap game for UNLV.

The Rebels have gotten off to a hot start, but they haven’t played a quality opponent yet. Miami (OH) is on the opposite ship, getting off to a slow start but facing solid competition.

The RedHawks have had winning campaigns their last two years, and this is their home opener. UNLV can’t afford to sleep on them.

The key to this contest for the Rebels is scoring early. UNLV is averaging 35.3 points per game, but has looked inconsistent at times.

It’s hard to know what to make of Miami’s defense through two games; they struggled against Rutgers but played well against Wisconsin.

If Anthony Colandrea can limit turnovers, the Rebels should be in a good spot. Jai’Den Thomas is UNLV’s best player on offense, and he should have a big day as the Hawk defense ranks 103rd against the run.

Jaden Bradley has also stepped up at wideout. Bradley has 13 catches for 262 yards and is averaging just over 20 yards per reception. UNLV’s scoring defense is ranked 86th in the nation.

This game should prove tricky, but the Rebels like magic.

UNLV pulls a Houdini.

UNLV 28, Miami (OH) 24

Arizona State at Baylor

Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, FOX

If Arizona State wants to make the College Football Playoff, this feels like a must-win game. The Sun Devils enter this contest as slight underdogs, but they might be the better team.

This matchup presents an opportunity to make amends for the Mississippi State loss, and more importantly, the Bears are a conference foe.

Sam Leavitt will need to play better in Waco than he did in Starkville, where he threw for 82 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions against the Bulldogs.

ASU will also need to keep its ground game rolling. They got it going in the second half against the Dawgs and kept it firing against Texas State.

Raleek Brown continues to be dominant on the ground. He ran for 144 yards and one touchdown against the Bobcats. They should be able to exploit Baylor running the ball. The Bears enter this contest ranked 115th in rush defense.

BU’s offense averages 38.0 points per game and is led by Sawyer Robertson. Baylor also features skill position standouts in Bryson Washington, Ashtyn Hawkins, and Josh Cameron.

Arizona State will control the line of scrimmage and look good in Waco.

Sparky burns Bruiser.

Arizona State 35, Baylor 27

Oregon State at No. 6 Oregon

Saturday, September 20
12:30 PM PT, Big Ten Network

Oregon State football is in a difficult spot.  While this season isn’t lost, it’s pretty close to being gone.

The Beavs’ remaining schedule is no cakewalk, with Oregon, Houston, Appalachian State, and Wake Forest looming in their next four matchups. They probably need two wins among them to go bowling.

Oregon State needs to find a way to gain some momentum before entering the new Pac-12, and fortunately, the schedule gets much easier down the stretch.

Maalik Murphy’s confidence is the key to salvaging what’s left of the season. He went 9-3 at Duke and did not come to Corvallis to lose.

If he can perform well against the Ducks, it could motivate the rest of the players to show some fight.

The Beavers may not be able to turn their season around, but crazier things have happened. They gotta have heart.

The Ducks are in the opposite pond. UO has destroyed everyone on their schedule, and is the only program from the “OG” Pac-12 that’s represented well in the Big Ten.

Dante Moore has performed well so far, throwing for 657 yards, seven touchdowns, and one interception. Oregon has basically been perfect this year,

In this year’s edition of the “unnamed rivalry,” the Ducks fly away from the Beavs.

Oregon 49, Oregon State 14

BYU at East Carolina

Saturday, September 20
4:30 pm PT, ESPN2

This isn’t a rivalry matchup, but BYU owes East Carolina one. The Pirates have the Cougars’ number: ECU has beaten the Cougs the last two times they’ve played, including a 2022 victory in LaVell Edwards Stadium.

East Carolina also knocked off BYU in Greenville in 2017, when a backup quarterback named Gardner Minshew came in and took over the contest.

For this year’s matchup, the best unit on the field should prove to be the Cougar defense. They’re only allowing 1.5 points per game, best in the nation. BYU’s victory over Stanford also looks more respectable now.

It should also prove interesting to see how Bear Bachmeier performs in this contest. East Carolina’s defense is only allowing 9.0 points per game. Bachmeier has played well in a game manager role, throwing for 272 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

LJ Martin has jumped out of the gate, rushing for 241 yards. ECU features a pass-heavy offense led by Katin Houser, who has thrown for 973 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception.

Johnny Depp could never capture Utah.

The Cougars do their thing. 

BYU 31, East Carolina 17

Washington at Washington State

Saturday, September 20
4:30 PM PT, CBS

As a Washington State alum, I’m peeved by our fanbase right now. It feels like a lot of the Cougars faithful are falling into the negativity trap. I mean, we’re 2-1.

As humbling as the loss to North Texas was, the Mean Green is not an FCS team. They’re also undefeated.

The Cougs have no time to lick their paws, as they host Washington in the Apple Cup this week. WSU probably won’t win the contest, but they gotta try and compete.

If Washington State can keep its morale afloat, the Cougs could still make a bowl game with winnable games against Colorado State, Louisiana Tech, and Oregon State, twice.

At the beginning of the season, many Coug fans would’ve been happy to be 2-1 three games in. They need to fill out Martin Stadium next week and represent the program. No doubt, Husky fans would fill theirs.

It’s easy to forget that Mike Leach had three losing seasons in Pullman before swinging his sword. He also lost the 2015 opener to Portland State.

As ugly as last week was, Washington State could still be alright. Real Cougs don’t quit.

The Huskies don’t care who plays signal-caller for the Cougs; they’re seeking revenge. The Dawgs lost a heartbreaker last year in the Apple Cup, when they got stopped on a 4th and 1 on a speed-option call by Jedd Fisch.

Many Husky fans felt the call cost them the game. Demond Williams Jr., Jonah Coleman, and Denzel Boston all remember that loss in Seattle.

I would love to pick my Cougs, but the line feels accurate for this matchup.

The Huskies take over Pullman.

Washington 42, WSU 21

Stanford at Virginia

Saturday, September 20
4:30 PM PT, ACC Network

The Cardinal got a crucial win over Boston College last week, and amazingly, as bad as their season started, they’re currently undefeated atop the ACC.

Stanford’s offense stepped up against the Eagles, with Micah Ford leading the way on the ground, rushing for 157 yards and a touchdown.

Cardinal quarterback Ben Gulbranson showed encouraging flashes from his Oregon State days, managing the game while throwing for 186 yards and a touchdown, with no interceptions.

The Tree had two receivers finish with at least seventy receiving yards in Sam Roush and Bryce Farrell, each of whom hauled in a touchdown pass.

Stanford’s defense struggled in the first half, but rebounded enough to hold BC scoreless in the second.

If the Cardinal offense can continue to perform at this clip, they could pull an upset deeper in their conference schedule.

Stanford travels to Charlottesville next in what should be another winnable matchup. If Tree can get a win on the road, it would create some buzz on the farm.

Virginia is 2-1 with a notable win against Coastal Carolina, and a loss against NC State. The Cavaliers are led by signal caller Chandler Morris, and halfback J’Mari Taylor on offense.

Harrison Waylee and Cam Ross add production at the skill positions. UV’s defense is allowing 19.3 points per game. This is probably one of the few winnable matchups left on the Cardinal’s schedule, but Virginia’s too much.

Cavman chops some wood.

Virginia 35, Stanford 21

Michigan State at No. 25 USC

Saturday, September 20
8:00 PM PT, FOX

USC could be back this year, but a loss this Saturday ends that notion.

The Trojans enter this matchup with a 3-0 mark, including a sizable road victory against Purdue. Michigan State also enters this contest undefeated, but they’ve lacked consistency.

The Spartans haven’t looked great in any outing, and barely squeaked by Boston College at home.

The key for SC is to score early points. After last season, they want to get the Coliseum on their side as soon as possible. Jayden Maiava has gotten off to a hot start, throwing for 989 yards, six touchdowns, and no interceptions.

He’s also added two touchdowns on the ground. This game may prove tough for the Spartans as they’re suffering from several injuries. Makhi Frazier, Nick Marsh, and a couple of linemen are all listed as questionable.

The key to USC’s defense is stopping Aidan Chiles. He has made a few mistakes, but he can take over a game; he combined for five touchdowns against Boston College. Wideout Omari Kelly may need to make a few plays to supplement the offense.

USC is second in the nation in both sacks and tackles for loss, and MSU’s offensive line lacks consistency.

Traveler runs wild. 

USC 42, Michigan State 27

Fresno State at Hawai’i

Saturday, September 20
9:00 pm PT, Spectrum

Fresno State might be overlooked right now, after their opening loss to Kansas, they’ve bounced back with three straight victories, including a win in Corvallis.

As the season progresses, the Bulldogs might prove to be a surprise team in the Mountain West, but it all starts in Manoa.

Fresno is slightly favored in this contest, but anything can happen in a rivalry, particularly considering this is the last time Hawaii will likely host this game.

Bulldogs quarterback E.J. Warner is starting to find his rhythm after an abysmal start to the season. Warner has thrown for 716 yards, four touchdowns, and five interceptions.

But the focal point of Fresno State’s offense is their dual-headed rushing attack, Rayshon Luke and Bryson Donelson. The duo has combined for 549 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground.

Micah Alejado should be back at quarterback for the Rainbow Warriors which adds intrigue to this matchup. Pofele Ashlock has been the best player on offense for the Bows, with 26 receptions, 235 yards, and three touchdowns.

The Bulldogs fell off the grid when Jeff Tedford stepped aside, but Matt Entz is bringing them back.

The “Mai Tai” is native to California.

Fresno State 31, Hawai’i 24