Welcome back to another week of college football! NIU begins Mid-American Conference play against Miami University on Saturday, while some teams are still searching for their first win.
As usual, the Northern Star sports staff came together to predict the winner of five games on the docket for this week.
Western Kentucky @ Delaware
6 p.m. CT | Friday, Oct. 3 | CBS Sports Network
Kalin Schaefer, Sports Editor (15-10): Delaware— The Blue Hens are slight favorites going into this game and have a far superior mascot, which is good enough for me!
Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter (19-6): Western Kentucky — My heart’s telling me to give this one to the Blue Hens, but my brain knows better to root against Big Red.
Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter (18-7): Western Kentucky — Delaware is in its first season at the Division 1 level but have started off 3-1 this season. Despite Delaware’s good start this season, Western Kentucky will take care of business on the road.
Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter (15-10): Delaware — Listen, the Blue Hens won both games they’ve played over the Hilltoppers. Was this the 80s? Yes. Is it good enough for me? Absolutely.
Eric Avila, Sports Reporter (16-9): Western Kentucky — Only one of these teams was the origin state for Kentucky Fried Chicken, and it isn’t Delaware. Give me Western Kentucky.
Logan Whittington, Sports Reporter (17-8): Western Kentucky — Delaware’s defense has been pretty lackluster so far, and in my opinion Western Kentucky has the upper hand when it comes to the passing game, so should be an easy win for the Hilltoppers.
Abel Naranjo, Sports Reporter (12-8): Western Kentucky — Delaware is off to a strong 3-1 start including an impressive win over UConn, but this is their first season in FBS. Western Kentucky should be able to secure their third consecutive victory.
Liliana Camargo, Sports Reporter (6-4): Western Kentucky — Western Kentucky is where my friends go, therefore, let’s go Hilltoppers!
Colorado State at San Diego State
9:30 p.m. CT | Friday, Sept. 27 | CBS Sports Network
Schaefer: San Diego State — The 6-point performance from the Aztecs against NIU was an outlier for this team. Colorado’s defense has not put up the same numbers as the Huskies, so this should be easy for San Diego.
Kisellus: San Diego State — If Saturday’s game taught me anything, it’s that San Diego State isn’t a team to be played around with. Now, the Aztecs are facing a Colorado State team whose only victory is over an FCS team — and only by four points. Give me Sean Lewis’ boys.
Segreti: San Diego State — The Aztecs absolutely embarrassed NIU last week on their home field and are now rewarded with a weak Colorado State team at home. This is an easy win for San Diego State.
Valenti: San Diego State — Both of these teams are kind of bad, but Colorado is definitely worse. This could very well be my only correct pick this week, so go Aztecs!
Avila: San Diego State — Only one team here held NIU to 3 points, and proved how bad our offense was. Give me San Diego State.
Whittington: San Diego State — Both teams have struggled offensively as of late, but the Aztecs have shown offensive upside versus good teams this year, so they should be the obvious option.
Naranjo: San Diego State — The Aztecs defense has been the highlight for the team so far. They almost shut out the poor Huskies’ offense and have not allowed more than 13 points all season. I expect the Aztecs offense to get going this game for a dub.
Camargo: San Diego State — So sorry, I take back any disbelief I had in the Aztecs. San Diego State beat NIU with 2 field goals and a bedtime story.
Miami (Ohio) @ NIU
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Oct. 4 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Miami (Ohio) — Until NIU actually looks like a half decent football team, I am not picking them for anything, ever.
Kisellus: Miami (Ohio) — If I’ve thrown more touchdown passes at your home stadium than your starting quarterback (for now), then that’s a very bad sign. Guess which team that applies to.
Segreti: Miami (Ohio)— NIU put up a dreadfully weak performance last week in their first home game in almost a month. The offense on this NIU team is one of the worst in all of FBS and they will struggle to win another game this season.
Valenti: NIU — I fear I promised to pick NIU this week in my picks last week. This was before they had their epic meltdown against San Diego State, but we ball.
Avila: Miami (Ohio) — I am not giving this team one last chance. If they lose, I am never going to go for this team ever again. Do I think NIU is going to win? Is Thanos Blue? You are able to figure it out. This team is going to make me look like Don Pollo the way they’ve been playing.
Whittington: Miami (Ohio) — I’ve watched NIU struggle helplessly for four straight weeks. I will not lie to anyone and say NIU looks good at all beyond the defense.
Naranjo: NIU — After that disaster class last week, it can only go up from here, right? NIU is winless in nearly 10 years against Miami but it’s homecoming week and the Huskies need this one badly, give me NIU to finally snap this losing streak.
Camargo: Miami (Ohio) — NIU didn’t get dog walked, they got dog SAT… I’m not going to put any more hope into this team.
No. 16 Vanderbilt @ No. 10 Alabama
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Oct. 4 | ABC
Schaefer: Vanderbilt — I have a deep dislike for Alabama football, for no real reason, so Vanderbilt all the way!
Kisellus: Alabama — Last year’s upset was nothing short of a thriller, and Vandy looks even better this year. Unfortunately for the ‘Dores, they’ll need to win in Tuscaloosa this year. Have fun with that.
Segreti: Alabama — Vanderbilt had one of the biggest upsets last year when they beat Alabama while they were ranked No. 1 in the country. This year’s matchup is much more evenly balanced but the scales tip in the favor of Alabama after they went into Athens last week and beat Georgia.
Valenti: Vanderbilt — Last year’s upset was a lovely day to be on X, formerly known as Twitter. I’m hoping for more funny things! Run it back!
Avila: Alabama — Alabama will take the game this year. Last year it was a great upset, but this year both teams are strong, and both ranked. I think it can get close, but if Alabama pops off they will not look back. Roll Tide – Roll Tide Willie.
Whittington: Vanderbilt — The Commodores have looked great offensively this season. Their defense hasn’t been anything special but I think they can pull off the upset.
Naranjo: Alabama — Vandy has been off to a hot start, averaging around 49 points so far but they haven’t faced a ranked opponent yet. Alabama has already knocked off Georgia and faced Florida State this season so they should take this one.
Camargo: Alabama — Alabama and Vandy are both evenly great, so it’s going to be close. Vanderbilt had a big upset last year, but this year, I think ‘Bama.
Oregon State @ Appalachian State
2:30 p.m. CT | Saturday, Oct. 4 | ESPN+
Schaefer: Appalachian State — Oregon State has an even worse record than NIU, which is saying a lot. Yosef’s team is going to absolutely destroy the Beavers.
Kisellus: Oregon State — Sure, the Beavers haven’t won a game yet, but who better to break a losing streak against than a middle-of-the-pack App State team? Sorry, not sorry, Yosef.
Segreti: Appalachian State — Oregon State has been off to an extremely slow start this season, as they have yet to win a game this season. App State will beat up on Oregon State and keep them winless this season.
Valenti: Oregon State — This is my real pity pick of the week besides NIU. I just really like Beavers and believe anything is possible.
Avila: Appalachian State — Oregon State has been off to one of the worst starts in college football this year, and I don’t see them winning anytime soon. They also are second place in a two-team Pac-2?. I do think they can win eventually, but with the Beavers not finding their flow yet, I don’t think it’ll be the next game.
Whittington: Appalachian State — The Mountaineers have looked a lot stronger in the running game and should be able to get more yardage.
Naranjo: Appalachian State — Although the Mountaineers are not doing the best with a 2-2 start, Oregon has just looked way worse, even though they gave Houston some trouble last week. With the Mountaineers hosting, I think Oregon will go another week winless.
Camargo: Appalachian State — Oregon State has not had a great start to their season. Which makes the Mountaineers look stronger even though they are at 2-2. Appalachian State will for sure win this one.
