Nick Bartlett’s Bold SuperWest Predictions: Week 1, 2025 Edition

Nick’s No-Nonsense Week 1 College Football Picks: West Coast Edition

Throughout the 2025 college football season, I’ll be giving you my predictions for contests involving the best teams in the West across five conferences: 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 2-1 in Week 0, starting at 67%. Here are my picks for ten games this week, alongside game-score guesses and a bit of commentary.You’ll also want to check out previews of ACC and Pac-12 games,Stephen Vilardo’s Mountain West preview,Big Ten matchups,and Dane Miller’s Big 12 previews.

Let’s get to it!

Georgia tech at Colorado – Friday, August 29th, 5:00 PM PT (ESPN)

Deion Sanders is building something special at Colorado, starting with a strong coaching staff. Pat Shurmur (OC) brings 23 years of NFL experience, and Robert Livingston (DC) has improved the defense. Georgia Tech has a strong QB-RB duo in Haynes King and Jamal Haynes, but I don’t think its enough to beat the Buffs on their home turf.

Colorado 35, Georgia Tech 21

UNLV at Sam Houston State – Friday, August 29th, 6:30 PM PT (CBS Sports)

UNLV started with a win, but rebuilding both the offensive and defensive lines presents a huge challenge. Sam Houston State is a tough opponent, but UNLV’s potential in the passing game with Anthony Colandrea and Jai’Den Thomas should be enough.

UNLV 38, Sam Houston State 31

San Jose State at Central Michigan – Friday, August 29th, 7:30 PM PT (FS1)

San Jose State returns a lot of talent, including quarterback Walker Eget and a strong defensive line. Central Michigan is in a transitional period with a new head coach. SJSU has the edge in experience and overall team strength.

San jose State 42, Central michigan 28

Montana State at Oregon – Saturday, August 30th, 1:00 PM PT (Big Ten Network)

Oregon, with new quarterback Dante Moore, begins its Big Ten era against a strong FCS opponent in Montana State. While the Bobcats are a legitimate threat at the FCS level, Oregon’s superior talent and motivation will be too much to overcome.

Oregon 45, Montana State 14

Georgia Southern at Fresno State – Saturday, August 30th, 6:00 PM PT (FS1)

Fresno State stumbled in its season opener, but a home game against Georgia Southern is a chance to get back on track. E.J. Warner needs to find his rhythm, and the Bulldogs have the edge in talent despite the Eagles strong coach Clay Helton.

* Fresno State 27, Georgia Southern 21

Idaho at Washington State – Saturday, August 30th, 7:00 PM PT (The CW)

Washington State, under new Head Coach Jimmy Rogers, begins its season against in-state rival Idaho. Idaho is a risky FCS opponent, but the Cougars, led by quarterback Zevi Eckhaus, should have enough to secure a win in this regional matchup.

What specific defensive adjustments is Johnson likely to implement at Nevada State, according to Bartlett’s analysis?

SuperWest Power Rankings & Key Matchups

Nick Bartlett, renowned college football analyst, has released his Week 1 predictions for the superwest Conference. this year’s SuperWest promises intense competition, with several teams vying for a playoff spot. Bartlett’s analysis focuses on key matchups, player performance, and coaching strategies. Here’s a breakdown of his boldest takes for the opening week.

Top 5 SuperWest Teams to Watch

bartlett’s pre-season power rankings place these teams at the top:

1. University of Pacifica: Consistent offensive power and a revamped defense make them the favorites.
2. Sierra Nevada State: Quarterback Jake Miller is a Heisman contender, driving their offensive strategy.
3. Redwood university: A strong running game and a disciplined secondary are their strengths.
4. Coastal Vista: New head coach,but a roster brimming with talent. Potential dark horse.
5. Golden state Tech: known for their innovative offensive schemes, but defensive vulnerabilities remain.

Game-by-Game Predictions: Week 1

Bartlett dives deep into each game, offering detailed insights. Here are the highlights:

Pacifica vs. Cal State Northridge: Bartlett predicts a agreeable win for Pacifica (42-17). He emphasizes Pacifica’s superior passing game and Northridge’s struggles against strong aerial attacks. Key Player to Watch: Pacifica WR, Marcus Bell.

Sierra Nevada State vs. Arizona Mesa: A potential shootout. Bartlett leans towards Sierra Nevada State (38-31) due to Jake Miller’s ability to make crucial plays under pressure. Upset Potential: Moderate.

Redwood University vs. Nevada State: Redwood’s ground game will dominate, leading to a 28-14 victory. Bartlett notes nevada State’s defensive line is undersized. Key Stat: Redwood’s rushing yards per game.

Coastal Vista vs. Utah Valley: A close contest. Bartlett predicts a narrow Coastal Vista win (24-21) based on their home-field advantage and a slightly more experienced roster. Coaching Impact: significant. New Coastal Vista coach, Elena Ramirez, is expected to implement a fast-paced offensive system.

Golden State Tech vs. New Mexico Highlands: Bartlett anticipates a high-scoring affair, with Golden State Tech winning 45-35. though, he cautions about their defensive liabilities. Defensive Weakness: Coverage against slot receivers.

Analyzing Key Player Matchups

Beyond team predictions, Bartlett highlights crucial individual matchups that will shape the outcomes of games.

Quarterback Battles

Jake Miller (Sierra Nevada State) vs. antonio Reyes (Arizona Mesa): Miller’s accuracy and decision-making will be tested against Reyes’ aggressive passing style.

Ethan Cole (Pacifica) vs.Cal State Northridge’s Secondary: Cole’s ability to exploit mismatches will be critical for Pacifica’s offensive success.

Defensive Showdowns

Redwood’s Linebackers vs.Nevada State’s Running Backs: Redwood’s linebackers must contain Nevada State’s rushing attack to control the game.

Coastal Vista’s Defensive Line vs. Utah Valley’s Offensive Tackles: This matchup will determine whether Coastal Vista can generate consistent pressure on the quarterback.

Impact of Recent Coaching Changes

The SuperWest Conference saw significant coaching changes during the off-season. Bartlett believes these changes will have a significant impact on team performance.

Elena Ramirez (Coastal Vista): Ramirez’s offensive beliefs is expected to revitalize Coastal Vista’s attack.

Marcus Johnson (Nevada State): Johnson’s focus on defensive discipline could improve Nevada State’s struggling defense.

Fantasy Football Implications: SuperWest Players to target

For fantasy football enthusiasts, Bartlett identifies several SuperWest players with high potential:

Jake Miller (Sierra Nevada State) – QB: A top-tier quarterback with a high ceiling.

Marcus Bell (Pacifica) – WR: A reliable target with excellent hands.

David Chen (Redwood University) – RB: A workhorse running back with a nose for the end zone.

* Sofia Rodriguez (Coastal Vista) – TE: A versatile tight end who can contribute both as a receiver and a blocker.

Long-Term SuperWest Championship Outlook

Bartlett believes the SuperWest Championship will likely come down to a showdown between Pacifica and Sierra Nevada State. He emphasizes the importance of staying healthy and avoiding key injuries throughout the season. The ability to adapt to changing game situations and overcome adversity will also be crucial for success.