Arizona State at Texas State
Thursday, Sept. 12 — Bobcat Stadium — San Marcos
6:30 p.m. on ESPN
Arizona State and Texas State both are exciting teams that have made strides in the last two seasons. In 2023, the Bobcats made it to their first-ever bowl game appearance in school history in their first season under head coach G.J. Kinne. As for the Sun Devils, they are entering year two with head coach Kenny Dillingham, after bringing in 30 players from the transfer portal.
The Sun Devils started their season 2-0 for the first time since the 2021 season, with wins over Wyoming and Mississippi State. Dillingham has established an old-school style of play that relies on a heavy-run offense and hard-hitting defense. In their first two games, the Sun Devils have run the ball on 72% of their offensive plays.
The Bobcats are riding high after beating Lamar and UTSA to start their season 2-0, the first time since 2013. In those two games, transfer senior QB Jordan McCloud passed for 550 yards and 5 touchdowns. McCloud transferred to Texas State this past offseason after coming off a 35-touchdown season with James Madison.
Both teams have found excitement in their recent success and this game should be an intriguing test for them.
Prediction: Arizona State 35, Texas State 27
No. 8 Oregon at Oregon State
Saturday, Sept. 14 — Reser Stadium — Corvallis, Oregon
2:30 p.m. on FOX
Thanks to conference realignment, this Pacific Northwest rivalry is no longer a Pac-12 matchup, with Oregon making the move to the Big Ten and no conference wanting custody of Oregon State. Although the changing landscape has done nothing to lessen the animosity between the two schools.
The Ducks are in search of their first definitive win this season to back up their top-10 ranking after slipping by Idaho and Boise State. The Beavers have taken down Idaho State, San Diego State and are looking to make a name for themselves with a nomadic schedule. Under first-year coach Trent Bray, a win over Oregon would do just that.
Both programs boast transfers at quarterback, albeit at two different levels. The Ducks reeled in senior Dillon Gabriel, a frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy, from Oklahoma. On the other hand, the Beavers are run by Idaho transfer redshirt junior Gevani McCoy. McCoy’s stats don’t match those of Gabriel, although Oregon State has a pair of running backs with three touchdowns.
Reser Stadium will pose a hostile environment for Oregon, and rivalries often bring the best out of teams. The Ducks’ roster is littered with talent, and Gabriel and the playmakers will do just enough to eke out another victory.
Prediction: Oregon 31, Oregon State 28
West Virginia at Pittsburgh
Saturday, Sept. 14 — Acrisure Stadium — Pittsburgh
2:30 p.m. on ESPN2
In a world where conference realignment has robbed us of so much, it’s nice to see schools reignite a long-standing rivalry with a non-conference home-and-home series like Pitt and West Virginia have.
West Virginia took the win at home last year in a 17-6 victory, as part of a 9-4 season that likely saved head coach Neal Brown’s job.
This time, it’s coach Pat Narduzzi and the Panthers looking for a rebound year after last season’s 3-9 effort. But unlike the Mountaineers, Pitt has proven they can win close games and ugly games, with a 21-point comeback effort in a 28-27 win over Cincinnati last week.
That experience will come through in the Backyard Brawl, a rivalry known for its particular brand of messiness. It’ll be wild, it’ll be weird, and there will likely be chants involving the consumption of feces set to “Sweet Caroline,” and Pitt will get revenge for last season by a single possession.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 24, West Virginia 20
No. 12 Utah at Utah State
Saturday, Sept. 14 — Maverik Stadium — Logan, Utah
3:30 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
The battle of the brothers has been a rivalry since the 19th century. Utah will be representing the Pac-12, while Utah state will be representing the Mountain West division.
The Aggies are coming off of a devastating loss to USC, but have secured a home win against Robert Morris. The Utes are coming into this game with a perfect 2-0 record, and are looking to stay undefeated.
After the Aggies’ horrendous loss to USC, where junior quarterback Bryson Barnes only threw for 103 yards and an interception, he definitely will be looking for a bounce back game. The Utes’ senior QB Cameron Rising is coming off of a two touchdown and zero interception game.
Because Utah tallied 170 rushing yards on the ground against Baylor in their last match, and Utah State allowed 249 rushing yards against USC, it is safe to say that the Aggies’ defense will be tested in the rushing game.
Merlin Olsen Field will definitely be a hostile environment for the Utah Utes and everybody will be waiting to see which team remains supreme in the state.
However, I do not think this will be much of a contest. I predict the Utes will blowout the Aggies.
Prediction: Utah 31, Utah State 7
