Nick Bartlett’s 2026 Week 5 Fearless Predictions

Stanford at Wake Forest

Saturday, October 3
9:00 AM PT, ACCN

This is a contest between two upstarts in the ACC. Both squads notched nice victories a week ago.

Stanford played one of its best games since joining the conference, beating Georgia Tech 34-27, while Wake Forest beat Louisville, previously ranked No. 16.

One key to this contest is whether the Cardinal can guard Carlos Hernandez one-on-one. The Tree play a lot of man-to-man defense, and if they can’t guard Hernandez, it could prove troublesome.

He finished with 194 receiving yards against Louisville, including a 77-yard touchdown reception. On the season, he’s tallied 30 receptions, 516 yards, and three touchdowns.

Another thing to watch in this matchup is whether Stanford can move the ball on the ground. The team only rushed for 86 yards against the Yellow Jackets.

Wake Forest’s rushing defense is average, so the Cardinal will need to improve here; they’ll want to do something different than get in a shootout on the road.

Both signal-callers are playing well, which adds intrigue to the matchup. Davis Warren played phenomenally against GT, throwing for 396 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions.

Stanford could steal this one, but they’re too classy to do so.

Wake Forest 31, Stanford 24

Cal at UNLV

Saturday, October 3
12:30 PM PT, CBSSN

Cal is underperforming right now. After all the talk in the off-season about the Golden Bears, they’ve decided to hibernate. It wasn’t just that they lost to Clemson; it was how it happened.

Cal has scored 34 combined points in its last two outings against Power Four opponents, and that’s including Kingston Lopa’s pick-six. This needs to be fixed immediately.

The Bears are getting 2.5 points at UNLV, which would’ve felt disrespectful a month ago. UCB must protect the ball in this contest; Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele has thrown four interceptions in 2026.

The Bears could still win the ACC Championship, but a loss here would hurt the soul. The talent is there.

For the Rebels, it’s hard to make out who they are. Their early-season schedule proved tricky, but 2-2 feels like a respectable place to be.

The key for them in this contest is to get out to an early lead, and protect Jackson Arnold. UNLV’s tied 116th nationally in sacks allowed per game, and this felt extra concerning against Memphis.

But if they let Jai’Den Thomas control the tempo of this matchup, he could create a few explosives and daze a dazed Cal’s team.

But money talks in Vegas, and Sagapolutele’s a $3 million man.

Cal 35, UNLV 17

Oregon State at Colorado State

Saturday, October 3rd
3:00 PM PT, USA Network

This is a matchup between two conference treasures this year.

If Oregon State wants to contend as a top-of-the-league team, this is a must-win affair. The Beavers looked the part in the non-conference, ending with a throttling of UTEP.

Colorado State got off to a hot start, but floundered the last two weeks of its non-conference schedule.

The Rams usually play well at home except for the BYU game, but OSU’s hoping to make a fight for the No. 2 spot in the conference.

If CSU’s going to hang around in this matchup, they’ll need their secondary to limit big plays. They rank 91st nationally in passing yards allowed per game.

This is vital against the Braden Atkinson and Jesse Legree combination. Legree is second in the country with 585 receiving yards; he’s also tied for second with six touchdown receptions.

Atkinson also ranks second nationally in throwing yards per game, averaging 355 yards per contest.

Colorado State needs to find stability at quarterback with Hauss Hejny injured. K’saan Farrar played phenomenally against UTSA, but Oregon State’s defense should be an AP test.

Jim Mora’s close, but the Beavs have a bit more talent.

Oregon State 28, Colorado State 20

No. 10 BYU at TCU

Saturday, October 3
4:00 PM PT, ESPN

BYU is a physical football team coming off a bye week, and they enter this contest undefeated as the No. 10 team in the country.

They knocked off Colorado State before the bye, but their most respectable win came against Arizona at home.

TCU suffered a tough loss against Central Florida last week, so they’ll be hoping to change momentum with an upset over a Top 10 team at home.

The key for the Cougars in this game is to limit major mistakes. The Horned Frogs scored 23 points in two opportunities against Power Four opponents.

This is concerning against a Top 30 BYU defense in points allowed per game.

If TCU is going to keep this close, they’ll need Craig Jaden to play better. Jaden threw the ball for 310 yards, but two unfortunate interceptions hurt their chances of winning.

Sonny Dykes is the coach, so the Frogs offense must be respected. Jeremy Payne has found success at halfback in the early season, while Ed Small is contributing at wideout with 371 yards and 15.5 yards per reception.

Jaden’s also a solid signal caller; he just had an off game. He’s thrown for 1,213 yards, seven touchdowns, and three interceptions.

The difference here is TCU is finding themselves, while BYU knows who they are.

BYU 35, TCU 27

Washington at No. 18 USC

Saturday, October 3
4:30 PM PT, NBC

Something feels off with Washington right now. It might be Jedd Fisch. It might be the Demond Williams thing, or it could be the departures of Denzel Boston and Jonah Coleman.

Whatever it is, they’ve played poorly three times at Husky Stadium, which is an immediate red flag.

Logistically speaking, they need to figure out their rushing attack. Williams is their leading rusher with 165 yards, followed by halfback Brian Bonner at 126.

The Huskies have found success throwing the ball, but it hasn’t translated into wins. The combination of Dezmen Roebuck, Chris Lawson, and Rashid Williams at wideout has proven a strength thus far.

For USC, a loss to Oregon is OK, but two in a row would prove devastating. The key to this contest is the Trojan defense. If they play well, the SC offense should be able to run away at home.

But that isn’t guaranteed. Louisiana’s quarterback Lunch Winfield played well against USC earlier in the season, and their opponents have hung at least 30 on them in their last three games.

Jayden Maiava is continuing his torrent pace, however, throwing for 1,499 yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions.

Maiava is him, and the reason they’ll win.

USC 42, Washington 28

Utah State at No. 22 Boise State

Saturday, October 3
4:30 PM PT, CBSSN

If anyone were to steal this matchup, it would be Bronco Mendenhall.

Utah State could have played better in their opening three contests, but they were able to get a win against a solid Troy squad last week.

Except for an ugly win against South Dakota, Boise State played well in the non-conference.

The key to this matchup should prove to be how well the Aggies play on offense. Their two starting quarterbacks have thrown for 10 combined interceptions and five touchdowns in 2026.

If Grady Brosterhous protects the ball, it will allow Javen Jacobs and him to try to control the tempo of the contest. If they can’t do that, the Broncos’ powerful rushing duo will lean on their defense, even if Sire Gaines is out.

They’ll also need their offensive line to play solid. BSU only has four sacks on the year, and they’re gonna try and change that this week.

USU’s defense is sturdy, but Boise State’s been on the hill already. Expect them to use the same formula they did last week against Western Michigan. Run the ball, smart throws, and vicious defense.

Maddux Madsen’s experience is proving clutch in the early season.

The Broncos are ready to defend the blue in their Pac-12 opener.

Boise State 42, Utah State 20

No. 12 Texas Tech at Colorado

Saturday, October 3
4:30 PM PT, FOX

Texas Tech is the better team in this contest, but going into Folsom Field is always sticky.

The Red Raiders enter this game undefeated, but previously survived scares against Houston and Oregon State. Colorado hopes to turn things around at home after a tough two weeks on the road.

The key to this matchup is how the Buffaloes play on offense. They rank 114th nationally in points scored per game, which has to change when playing Texas Tech. It’s a bit confusing because CU features talent at the skill positions.

Joseph Williams is a solid lead wideout, and the combination of Micah Welch and JaQuail Smith has combined for 398 yards on the ground.

Julian Lewis has struggled at quarterback and was benched in the Baylor contest. Isaac Wilson is expected to start against Texas Tech.

TTU is led by Will Hammond, who’s off to an awful start this year. Hammond’s thrown five interceptions in Tech’s four games. There’s still a lot of room for growth for this unit, even though they average 36 points per game.

Kenny Johnson is proving to be a reliable wideout. He’s tied for the team lead with 16 receptions, and leads the team with 290 receiving yards. Tech’s defense is also top-40 in points allowed per game.

Texas Tech raids Folsom.

Texas Tech 38, Colorado 21

Fresno State at Washington State

Saturday, October 3rd
6:30 PM PT, USA Network

This could be the game of the week in the Pac-12.

Fresno State enters Pullman on a three-game winning streak after their opening loss to USC.

Washington State is looking to defend their home, after losing two close contests against Power Four opponents in their non-conference slate.

The key to this matchup is whether the Cougars can get some skill players moving on offense. WSU’s looked herky-jerky since Tony Freeman’s injury.

Maxwell Woods played well against Duquesne, but Power Four competition has locked him down.

They must find someone because the Bulldogs will wear out the Cougs defense if they’re always on the field.

Fresno State outscored Rice 24-7 in the second half, after trailing at halftime. Rayshon Luke finished with 167 yards, one rushing touchdown, and averaged 15.2 yards per carry.

They did the same the week prior against San Jose State, outscoring them 20-7 in the final 30 minutes.

WSU led Arizona 14-0, but its lack of offensive efficiency killed momentum. Stats tell a smart part of the story in this matchup.

Washington State’s played a harder schedule, but Fresno State’s likely a bit more talented.

Washington State 24, Fresno State 17

Baylor at Arizona State

Saturday, October 3
7:30 PM PT, ESPN

Both of these teams are probably getting overlooked in the Big 12, and could make a statement in Tempe.

For Baylor, a win here, and their schedule sets up favorably until the end of the season. They face the Big Dogs in the conference in their final three games.

For Arizona State, a dub here likely sets them up for a huge matchup against Texas Tech in a couple of weeks.

A major key in this matchup is the Bears’ receivers versus the Sun Devils’ secondary. ASU ranks 19th in passing yards allowed per game, which could prove vital against an explosive BU receiving core.

Gavin Freeman leads this group with 35 receptions and 364 yards. DJ Lagway’s ankle may not be 100 percent, which is another thing to consider.

Flipping state lines, Arizona State must block Baylor’s defensive front. Against Colorado, they had five sacks and 13 tackles for loss. As a unit, they added six pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Cutter Boley is off to a solid start, but everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. Boley may consider using his legs more in this game.

Reed Harris is also proving the Devil at wideout.

Kenny Dillingham is an underrated coach, and Dave Aranda can’t handle the heat.

Arizona State 31, Baylor 21

Cincinnati at Arizona

Saturday, October 3
8:00 PM PT, FOX

Cincinnati is off to a phenomenal start this year, and a victory in Tucson could push them into the Top 25.

The Bearcats played well against Kansas State, knocking them off at home last week. They enter this contest undefeated.

Arizona beat Washington State on the road, rallying from an early 14-0 deficit before winning comfortably. They’re 3-1 with their only loss coming against BYU.

The key to this game is whether the Wildcats can stop Cincinnati’s rushing attack.

The duo of Gi’Bran Payne and Cole Tabb ran for a combined 250 yards and three touchdowns against K-State. Tabb finished with all three of the touchdowns.

UA is 13th-best nationally in rushing yards allowed per game, so this should prove a wrestling match.

If Arizona can contain CU’s seventh-ranked rushing offense in yards per game, 13 and seven, then Noah Fifita should be able to outpace JC French.

Fifita is arguably the most underrated quarterback in the country, and he’s already respected.

Tre Spivey is also starting to find his rhythm at receiver. Spivey leads the team in all receiving categories with 19 receptions, 278 yards, and four touchdowns.

Expect Danny Gonzales to blitz and force French to beat them as Fifita frances French.

Arizona 38, Cincinnati 27