Every week during the season each of the three of us will release our "Best Bet". No telling how we will do; but we'll track it here. Hopefully, at least one of us get's on a roll and you can take that pick to the bank (proverbial or actual, your choice) each week. With that said, how hard can it be to pick one winner every week? To be determined...
Zach: SMU -33 vs. Baylor
69-3. 70-13. 70-7. Those were the scores by which Baylor flattened its opponents to open last season. I don't know that the Bears throw up similar fireworks against SMU.... but I can't see SMU staying within five touchdowns of Baylor, either. These teams met on the Sunday of Labor Day weekend in 2012, with Baylor winning 59-24, and trended in opposite directions since then. Add in that it's the grand opening of McLane Stadium and the official kickstart to Bryce Petty's Heisman campaign, and I'm taking the Bears and laying the points.
Scott: Rice +21 vs. Notre Dame
This is a huge game for Rice, and it’s the game before the Michigan game for Notre Dame. Rice is focused, Notre Dame is distracted. I see Rice playing this game a lot closer than Notre Dame fans will like; and if they get a few turnovers we could see Rice battling for the win at the end. I love Rice plus the 21 points.
Doug: Appalachian State +34.5 vs. Michigan
Back in 2007, Appalachian State pulled one of the greatest upsets in college football history, knocking off No. 5 Michigan. Back then, Vegas didn't even provide a line on the game...well that's changed for the rematch with Michigan as a 34.5-point favorite. That's where I see the problem; Michigan is going to come into the game focused on not getting beat, plus they have a new offensive coordinator and plenty of question marks personnel wise. Appalachian State is coming into the game knowing that they can compete in the Big House, and aiming to get their membership in the FBS started off on the right foot. I'm not saying that App State has the firepower to win this one outright, but I don't see them getting beat by 30-plus with the confidence the program has earned in Ann Arbor.