Estimated read time: 6-7 minutes
SALT LAKE CITY — After an upset-filled week of college football, KSL.com Pick'em has another preview before you make your picks.
San Diego State at Utah State
Saturday, Nov. 23 (1:30 p.m. MST, CBSSN)
The Aggies are winners in two of their last three games including a 55-10 blowout against Hawaii. The Aggies are ineligible for an auto bowl win but still have a chance with a 5-7 record.
Why SDSU will win:
The Aztecs have struggled as of late, losing four in a row. Three of those losses came to top-25 opponents at the time in Boise State, UNLV and Washington State. But the Aztecs have put together solid football in a few games this year, taking Washington State down to the last second after leading 26-14.
Marquez Cooper has been the offensive spark for San Diego State, rushing for over 1,000 yards and accounting for 10 of the teams 23 touchdowns. Utah State also struggles defensively, ranking fourth to last in college football in yards allowed. The Aggies are also giving up the third most points per game at nearly 40 per contest. Any sort of offensive showing could be enough to closeout the Aggies.
Why Utah State will win:
As mentioned, the Aggies went off on Hawaii last week, scoring 55 points and totaling 580 yards of offense, with Rasul Faison rushing for 191 yards on 20 carries.
While the Aggies still gave up over 300 yards, they forced five turnovers and got Hawaii quarterback Brody Schager benched. The game is also pivotal for head coach Nate Drelling who was thrown into the fire during fall camp and wants to end the season with a bang.
Line: USU -5
Over/Under: 61.5
No. 16 Colorado at Kansas
Saturday, Nov. 23 (1:30 p.m. MST, FOX)
Colorado beat Utah by 25 points, while Kansas upset then-No. 6 BYU on their own home turf last week, setting up a potential playoff-deciding game for the Big 12.
Why Colorado will win:
Colorado's offense dominated Utah last week, putting up 49 points and totaling 405 yards of offense, with 340 of it coming from quarterback Shedeur Sanders, who threw three touchdowns in the rout.
While the Jayhawks beat BYU, they only had 17 points of offense, which will not be enough to beat Colorado. The Buffaloes defense also showed major improvement, forcing three interceptions by Utah.
Travis Hunter and Sanders have continued to dominate this year, and a quality game from the duo will be key for the Buffaloes.
Why Kansas will win:
The 17-point performance was unlike the Kansas offense this year; and putting up only 240 yards of offense was also inconsistent. BYU's defense is good, but the Jayhawks offense needs to be better. Lucky for Kansas, they've put up 27 points or more in every other Big 12 game this year.
The Jayhawks beat both BYU and Iowa State back-to-back weeks and took the No. 16 Wildcats down to the wire as well. Kansas playing the Buffaloes at home will give them an edge versus Colorado who lost their biggest road test this year against Nebraska.
Line: COLO -3
Over/Under: 59.5
No. 14 BYU at No. 21 Arizona State
Saturday, Nov. 23 (1:30 p.m. MST, ESPN)
Arizona State took down then-No. 16 Kansas State in Manhattan last week with Sam Leavitt throwing three touchdowns in the effort. The Cougars lost their first game of the season to Kansas, dropping to 9-1.
Why BYU will win:
You could argue BYU played the better game against Kansas, holding the Jayhawks to under 250 yards while putting up 354 yards of offense. The key was BYU scored only 6 points on four red zone drives, one resulting in an interception heading into the second half.
Jalon Daniels' pooch-punt off a defenders helmet led to 7 points for the Jayhawks, and the decider. Despite that, the Cougars are still the favorite to win the Big 12, according to the College Football Playoff committee, and a win over the Sun Devils and a Utes win over Iowa State clinches a Big 12 championship appearance.
BYU has played seamless football for most of the season, winning nine straight. The key for BYU will be containing Cam Skattebo, who has torched teams this year. Arizona State is giving up 216 passing yards per game this year, giving BYU a chance to air it out.
Why Arizona State will win:
The Sun Devils are one of the biggest surprise teams of the year, with most betting lines projecting them at 4.5 wins, just like the Cougars. Michigan State transfer Sam Leavitt has been effective for the Sun Devils, throwing for over 1,700 yards and a 4:1 touchdown to interception ratio.
Skattebo has been the MVP though, rushing for 1,074 yards and 11 touchdowns for Arizona State. In addition to the run game, Skattebo is second on the team in receiving yards with 448 yards and two touchdowns, making him a dual-threat for opposing defenses.
BYU's run game has shown its struggles this year, as well, giving up almost 270 yards to Oklahoma State. Skattebo and the Sun Devils will be contending for their first conference title appearance since 2013.
Line: ASU -3
Over/Under: 48.5
No. 22 Iowa State at Utah
Saturday, Nov. 23 (5:30 p.m. MST, FOX)
Iowa State is fresh off a win over Cincinnati, while the Utes dropped their sixth straight game to Colorado.
Why Iowa State will win:
Utah's offense has been below average. The strength of the Iowa State team is their offense, which gives them an advantage in any potential low-scoring game. Rocco Becht has thrown for 2,628 yards and 17 touchdowns, and sets up a dual rushing attack with Carson Hansen and Abu Sama III.
The Cyclones are still in contention for a Big 12 title appearance but need some help to get there, including a win against Utah.
Why Utah will win:
Freshman Isaac Wilson showed flashes of the quarterback he was recruited to be in the loss against Colorado, connecting on a deep ball to Dorian Singer for a 40-yard touchdown. But the red zone scoring has been subpar this year. Utah's main strength is its defense, which gives them a boost with the Cyclone offense being its biggest strength.
The Utes will look to get back in the win column and at Rice-Eccles Stadium for the first time since Sept. 7 when they beat Baylor.
Line: ISU -7
Over/Under: 41.5
USC at UCLA
Saturday, Nov. 23 (8:30 p.m. MST, NBC)
The Bruins have won three of their last four and keep its bowl eligibility alive, but they'll need to win the last two games to make it. The Trojans need to win against UCLA or No. 6 Notre Dame to make a bowl game.
Why USC will win:
USC is a talented team that took down LSU in the first game of the year, shutout Utah State, and have four losses within 5 points or less. The Trojans are a few plays away from being a ranked team, even as they sit at 5-5.
Miller Moss was benched for Jayden Maiava, who was 25-of-35 passing for 259 yards and three touchdowns against Nebraska, giving them life on offense.
Unlike last year, the Trojans defense has been improved. They have given USC opportunities to win, and a good offensive performance against the Bruins will put the Trojans in the drivers seat.
Why UCLA will win:
The Bruins took down the Trojans last year in Los Angeles, using a 38-point effort on offense and holding USC to three rushing yards. While the situations are different, the game plan is still the same: UCLA's 18 sacks is not eye-popping by any means, but the 46 tackles for loss is a huge benefit against a USC team that runs the ball well.
The trenches will be where the game is won.
