Throughout the 2025 college football season, I give you my just-for-fun picks for contests involving the best teams in the West across five conferences.
Those teams include Arizona, ASU, BYU, Colorado, and Utah in the Big 12; Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington in the Big Ten; Cal and Stanford in the ACC; Oregon State and WSU in the Pac-12; and all of the Mountain West.
I went 9-1 in the 10 games I previewed for Week 13. That brings my overall record to 93-40 on the season, good for 70%.
This week, I make picks for the following 10 games:
- Utah at Kansas
- San Diego State at New Mexico
- Boise State at Utah State
- Oregon State at Washington State
- Arizona at Arizona State
- UCF at BYU
- Oregon at Washington
- UCLA at USC
- SMU at Cal
- UNLV at Nevada
You will also want to read my previews of ACC and Pac-12 games, Stephen Vilardo’s preview of the Mountain West and Big Ten matchups, and Dane Miller’s previews of the Big 12 contests.
As always, my selections come with my best game-score guesses and just enough commentary to keep me from drinking too much coffee here in the South Shore District of Seattle.
I’m already on my second cup, so let’s get on with the picks!
No. 13 Utah at Kansas
Friday, November 28
9:00 a.m. PT, ESPN
The Utes need to beat Kansas, hope BYU knocks off UCF, Arizona State needs to win the Territorial Cup, and Texas Tech must lose in Morgantown. It’s that simple.
What’s easier, though, is the key to this game. The Jayhawks must find a way to stop Utah on the ground. The U of U ranks second nationally in rushing yards per game, while Rock Chalk ranks 69th in rushing yards allowed per contest.
They gotta load the box and force Utah to beat them through the air. The Utes rank 95th in total passing yards. Devon Dampier’s solid with his arm, but a killer with his legs. KU also matches up well against them, ranking 54th in total pass yards allowed.
Another thing to consider in this contest is how Jalon Daniels performs on Senior Night. Kansas is sending off 33 seniors in total, but Daniels feels crucial in this matchup. He’s had a marvelous year statistically, but he’s proven inconsistent in his last five outings.
Daniel Hishaw Jr. also needs to play well. The combination of Leshon Williams and Hishaw Jr. has rushed for 936 yards and eleven rushing touchdowns. They may be able to capitalize against a Utes defense that allows 184 yards per game on the ground.
If the Wildcats didn’t put a 40-piece on the Utes last week, this had upset potential. But Morgan Scalley will be ready.
Utah skis through Kansas.
Utah 42, Kansas 17
San Diego State at New Mexico
Friday, November 28
12:30 PM PT, CBS Sports
The Lobos take on an upstart San Diego State team that has had back-to-back nice victories against San Jose State and Boise State. The Aztecs are a solid team, but UNM has the potential to beat them.
The key to this contest for New Mexico is scoring a decent amount of points. SDSU’s a great defensive and running team, but they rank 81st nationally in points scored per game.
The combination of Jack Layne, Damon Bankston, and Keagan Johnson will need to make plays. They’ll also need Layne to protect the ball. He has the ability to take over a game, but he’s also thrown nine interceptions this year.
If the Lobos score early, it would put San Diego State in an uncomfortable position. The Aztecs rank 129th in passing yards per game, so they’re not built for big comebacks.
SDSU also needs to convert on third downs. They’re 127th nationally in third-down conversion percentage.
The final key to this contest is New Mexico’s efficiency in the red zone. The Lobos have a low red zone offensive scoring percentage, so they gotta score seven when they can against a top-tier defense.
UNM’s come a long way, but San Diego State already got upset by Hawaii.
The Aztecs anthropomorphize the Lobos.
San Diego State 21, New Mexico 17
Boise State at Utah State
Friday, November 28
1:00 PM PT, CBS
The two biggest keys in this matchup are dependent on Utah State’s defense. The Aggies must find a way to stop Boise’s rushing attack. The Broncos rank 28th nationally in yards per game, and use a three-man rotation to cause damage.
Dylan Riley and Sire Gaines lead the attack, and Malik Sherrod has chipped in 379 yards and four touchdowns to complete the unit. They should be able to exploit a USU defense that ranks 105th in yards allowed per game.
If Utah State can stop the run game, they have a chance. Max Cutforth has not provided the same productivity as Maddux Madsen. If this matchup turns into a shootout between Cutforth and Bryson Barnes, the Aggies hold a lofty advantage.
Barnes provides veteran experience, and he’s having the best season of his career. He’s thrown for 2,503 yards, 18 touchdowns, and four interceptions. He’s also added 644 yards on the ground and eight touchdowns.
The Aggies’ quarterback is the reason USU ranks 37th in points per game.
The final note for this contest is the return of Chris Marshall, who will make it a little easier for Cutforth.
Betting against Boise in November is sacrilegious.
The Broncos enter the snowy season in peace.
Boise State 42, Utah State 28
No. 25 Arizona at No. 20 Arizona State
Friday, November 28
6:00 p.m. PT, FOX
They enter this contest on a three-game winning streak. From a logical standpoint, the Sun Devils should be distracted. ASU’s playing with a backup quarterback, their starting signal caller is filing for divorce, and their head coach is in the rumor mill.
Despite this, ASU features a talented squad, with Jeff Sims and Raleek Brown fueling the nation’s 24th-ranked rushing offense in yards per game. They’re also getting Jordyn Tyson back for this matchup; he’s probably the best receiver in the region.
Arizona has gotta protect Noah Fifita. Arizona State is tied 15th nationally with 31 sacks on the season. This could prove problematic for the Wildcats because they rank 112th nationally in sacks allowed.
UA should consider countering the Sun Devils’ pressure with some classic draws and unique screen passes. If they can keep players like Keyshaun Elliott and Justin Wodtly off-balance, it could benefit their rushing attack.
ASU’s running game is statistically better, but Ismail Mahdi is a solid player.
And Fifita’s a legend, the third-year Wildcat leads his pack off the mountain.
Arizona 31, ASU 28
UCF at No. 11 BYU
Saturday, November 29
10:00 a.m. PT, ESPN2
If UCF can escape LaVell Edwards with a dub, they’ll be bowl eligible. But if the Golden Knights are going to make some magic, they’ll need their offense to overperform their season average of points scored per game.
They rank 89th in this category, but had offensive explosions against West Virginia and North Carolina.
The biggest parallel in these contests is that Tayven Jackson threw for over 220 yards and protected the ball. He only threw one interception in these two matchups, but he has eight on the season.
If Jackson commits turnovers against the Cougs, it will prove too much to overcome. BYU ranks seventh nationally with 15 interceptions on the year.
Another key to this contest is making the Cougars have long drives. Chase Roberts and Parker Kingston each average over 13 yards per reception. The Knights will need to tackle them immediately to avoid yards after catch.
They’d also benefit from forcing the Cougs into third and longs. It would help eliminate the threat of the quarterback run. Bear Bachmeier has rushed for 525 yards and 11 touchdowns on 128 carries.
If BYU was gonna sluff it would’ve been last week.
Cosmo breaks through the armor.
BYU 38, UCF 14
No. 6 Oregon at Washington
Saturday, November 29
12:30 PM PT, CBS
Oregon enters this matchup having defeated USC and Minnesota handily, scoring 42 points in each contest. Washington enters with back-to-back blowout victories over UCLA and Purdue, tallying 97 points in the wins.
One focal point of this matchup should be whether the Ducks can get the Dawgs off the field on third downs. UW ranks fourth nationally in third-down conversion percentage, but if they can’t extend drives, UO’s talent could overwhelm them.
Oregon also needs to protect the ball. The Dawgs are dangerous in Husky Stadium, and if Dante Moore makes a couple of mistakes, the atmosphere could become a problem.
Another determinant is whether the Ducks can stop the Husky rushing attack. UW only ranks 57th in rushing yards per game, but Jonah Coleman is built like an NFL halfback. If UO doesn’t swarm him with bodies, they’ll regret it, particularly in the fourth quarter.
The Ducks rank 15th in rushing yards allowed per game, but Coleman’s a problem.
The final key in this contest is the two quarterbacks. Both guys can take over a game on the right day. Washington’s close to getting back to Oregon’s level, but they’re not quite there yet.
The Oregon Duck “Rides the Ducks.”
Oregon 35, Washington 24
Oregon State at Washington State
Saturday, November 29
3:30 PM PT, The CW
From a holistic standpoint, the key to WSU’s year relies on beating Oregon State in their final game. If the Cougs can knock off the Beavers, they’ll grab their sixth win and qualify for the postseason.
A loss, and they’re 5-7 with two losses to one of the worst FBS teams in the country.
The key to beating the Beavs this time around is scoring more than seven points. The Cougar defense could also do a better job of stopping Anthony Hankerson, but that’s a bit nitpicky.
Hankerson rushed for 132 yards and had Oregon State’s only touchdown via the ground. The Beavers enter this contest with a complete lack of momentum. Since upsetting Washington State, OSU has lost to both Sam Houston State and Tulsa.
The Beavs also don’t have an established starting quarterback entering this matchup, having used three different signal callers. Whoever gets the nod will need to be prepared against a WSU defense that ranks 37th in points allowed per game.
He’ll also need to take advantage of the Cougs’ offense on third downs; Washington State ranks 101st in third-down conversion percentage.
If the Cougs “coug” this, they’re cougin hard. Cougars win.
Washington State 24, Oregon State 10
UCLA at No. 17 USC
Saturday, November 29
4:30 PM PT, NBC
USC just got eliminated from the College Football Playoff by Oregon, and UCLA got mallywhapped by Washington. The key to this contest is simple—the health of Nico Iamaleava, who is currently listed as day-to-day with neck spasms.
If he can’t play, the Bruins are gonna have to figure something out. They’ll need to score either way because the Trojans have the seventh-ranked passing offense in the nation.
LA has a good passing defense, ranking 29th in yards allowed per game, but their run defense is weak, so they may have to overcompensate.
SC’s also good on the ground, and their best halfback, Waymond Jordan, might be back from injury. Even if he’s a no-go, King Miller’s a solid backup. The duo has rushed for 1,325 yards and ten touchdowns on the year.
UCLA will also have to contend with Makai Lemon, a Biletnikoff Award finalist.
If the Bruins are going to pull off the upset, they’ll need to find success on the ground. All three of LA’s victories came when they ran for 170 yards or more. Someone like Jalen Berger needs to get hot, USC is 58th in rush yards allowed per game.
The Trojans might not be CFP good, but they can beat the Bruins.
Traveler trumps a bear.
USC 38, UCLA 20
No. 21 SMU at Cal
Saturday, November 29
5:00 PM PT, ESPN2
Cal has already qualified for a bowl, but a win against SMU might get them into a bigger game. Currently, ESPN has them projected to play in the Hawaii Bowl.
But before the postseason begins, the Bears have an opportunity to play spoiler this week against the Mustangs. SMU secures a berth in the ACC title game with a victory against Cal.
If the Golden Bears want to pull off the upset, they’ll need to limit the Stangs’ passing attack, which ranks 14th nationally in yards per game.
They gotta find a way to affect Kevin Jennings at quarterback, who has thrown for 3,113 yards, 24 touchdowns, and nine interceptions this year.
In theory, the Bears match up well in this contest, with the 31st-ranked pass defense in yards allowed per game. A player like Hezekiah Masses could also step in front of a pass. Masses is tied second nationally with five interceptions.
They also must get something out’ve their run game, they rank last in the nation in rushing yards per contest. Jacob De Jesus could also impact the game with some quick hitters; he can break something.
Cal’s unpredictability is unpredictable, but SMU is playing for too much in this one.
Stanggging ouuuut, down the street.
SMU 35, Cal 31
UNLV at Nevada
Saturday, November 29
6:00 PM PT, CBS Sports
For Nevada, knocking off their rival would be a sweet way to end a bad year. It would also build momentum heading into next season, as they enter this contest on a two-game win streak.
The key to this matchup is the Wolfpack’s offense. The Rebels average 36.7 points per game, so UNR will need to put some on the board.
Nevada struggles mightily on offense, only scoring 17.6 points per contest, but some notable players are Carter Jones, Caleb Ramseur, and Jett Carpenter.
Carpenter could cause matchup problems at tight end. He leads the team with 318 receiving yards. He has also added two touchdown receptions.
Some other things working in the Pack’s favor are that they have nothing to lose, and it’s Senior Night.
UNLV needs to mix it up on offense. The Wolfpack’s defense isn’t next-level, but they’re not a pushover, ranking 63rd in pass yards allowed per game and 57th in rushing yards allowed per contest.
If the Rebels can extend drives on third downs, they should be able to wear them down. Anthony Colandrea and Jai’Den Thomas are difficult to tackle in the fourth quarter.
LV ranks 24th in third-down conversion percentage. Nevada’s improving, but UNLV’s there.
The Rebels raid Reno.
UNLV 45, Nevada 21
