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SALT LAKE CITY — If you're anything like me, you're in desperate need of a bounce-back week when it comes to your Pick'em predictions.
Hopefully, these previews can help us all do a little better with this week's slate.
No. 17 Baylor at Iowa State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 10 a.m. MDT (ESPN2)
The ranked 2-1 Bears visit the unranked — but undefeated — Cyclones as Big 12 play begins.
Why Baylor will win: The Bears are averaging an absurd 43 points per game through three games — thanks in large part to a 69-point outing to open the season against Albany.
Quarterback Blake Shapen has four passing touchdowns to one interception, and running back Richard Reese is already up to five scores on 237 rushing yards. The Bears were held to 20 points in their lone road game at BYU but will look to keep the offensive rhythm up in the visit to Ames.
Why Iowa State will win: While the Bears are averaging 43 points on offense, the Cyclones are giving up just 9 points on average to opponents. None of their three opponents so far — Southeast Missouri State, Iowa and Ohio — have managed to get more than 10 points on the board.
They're no pushovers on offense, either, with quarterback Hunter Dekkers racking up eight touchdowns to go along with three picks through three games. His favorite wide receiver, Xaiver Hutchinson, has five touchdown receptions and 319 yards.
Betting line: Iowa State -3Over/under: 46
UNLV at Utah State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 5 p.m. MDT (CBSSN)
These Mountain West rivals are still trying to establish themselves through an up-and-down start to the season.
Why UNLV will win: The Rebels are coming off of a high-scoring 58-27 win over North Texas last week after a 20-14 loss to Cal.
Quarterback Doug Brumfield is lighting it up with seven passing touchdowns, one interception and 773 yards. He now arrives in Logan ready to slice up a Utah State defense that gave up 35 points in a home loss to Weber State two weeks ago.
Why Utah State will win: The Aggies had a Week 3 bye week to find themselves and rest up following the upset loss to the Wildcats and a brutal 55-0 loss to Alabama in Week 1.
Starting quarterback Logan Bonner has three touchdowns and three interceptions in a rough start to the season but arose as a leader in a players meeting Monday to try and get the team back on track. If the team and fans can rally around and support Bonner, the team may be able to return to the 2021 form that brought it a Mountain West title.
Betting line: UNLV -2.5Over/under: 60
No. 7 USC at Oregon State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 7:30 p.m. MDT (Pac-12 Network)
Two 3-0 teams both averaging 45-plus points meet in primetime ... on the Pac-12 Network.
Why USC will win: Lincoln Riley and Caleb Williams came to LA to be under the big lights, and they have not disappointed.
Williams has eight touchdowns and zero interceptions, and has thrown for 874 yards. The Trojans have scored at least 41 points in each of their first three games. Oregon State gave up 32 points to a Fresno State squad that USC blew out 45-17 last week — 3-1 is likely coming soon in Corvallis.
Why Oregon State will win: Quarterback Chance Nolan is no slouch compared to Williams, putting up seven touchdowns, along with two interceptions, so far this season.
Another solid offensive outing and a scoreline similar to their 35-32 win over Fresno State will probably be the most likely recipe for a Beaver victory.
Betting line: USC -6.5Over/under: 71
Wyoming at No. 19 BYU
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:15 p.m. MDT (ESPN2)
Wyoming has won three games in a row, and the Cougars are coming off of a 41-20 drudging in Oregon last week in the rebirth of an age-old rivalry.
Why Wyoming will win: The Cowboys certainly have momentum on their side with a three-game win streak and catch the Cougars after their first loss of the season.
Wyoming running back Titus Swen has four touchdowns and 316 yards to own the advantage over BYU's Chris Brooks, who has struggled in a supposed starring role with just two scores and 194 yards through three games.
Why BYU will win: A return to LaVell's House, along with a motivated and rejuvenated squad, should do the trick in a get-right spot where the Cougars are favored by more than three touchdowns.
BYU will look to put its best foot forward with the possible returns of Puka Nacua and Gunner Romney on offense, and Earl Tuioti-Mariner and Tyler Batty on defense.
Betting line: BYU -22.5Over/under: 50
No. 13 Utah at Arizona State
Saturday, Sept. 24, 8:30 p.m. MDT (ESPN)
A meeting between two teams going different directions: Utah has won two straight after a Week 1 loss and ASU fired its coach, Herm Edwards, after losing 30-21 last week at home to Eastern Michigan.
Why Utah will win: Other than his game-sealing pick against Florida in Week 1, quarterback Cam Rising has been nothing short of impressive through three games with eight touchdown passes and 694 yards.
The Utes flexed their muscle on both ends of the field last week against San Diego State, putting up 35 points in two quarters and holding the Aztecs to just one score; and the Sun Devils are likely reeling after a tough home loss and the firing of their head coach.
Why Arizona State will win: Quarterback Emory Jones is a dual-threat talent, not unlike Florida's Anthony Richardson who tore up the Utes with three rushing touchdowns in Week 1.
Running back Xazavian Valladay has four touchdowns and 361 yards to form a dangerous two-headed dragon with Jones that could spell trouble should the Utes be unable to contain the dynamic running ability.
Betting line: Utah -14Over/under: 54
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Caleb Turner
