Three Underdogs to Watch in Week 1

Baylor +4.5 at home vs. #14 TCU

TCU will be breaking in a new QB for the first time in four seasons and they do it on the road against a solid Big 12 team. Baylor went bowling for the first time in a long time last year and return one of the best QBs in the country in Robert Griffin who will have most of his receivers back. The Bears got killed by TCU last season but those were completely different circumstances. TCU had a loaded veteran team while Robert Griffin was coming back from a knee injury and had yet to establish a rapport with his offense and receivers. If the Baylor offense is clicking early it could make it hard for TCU to establish their running game and will put first time starter Casey Pachall on the spot maybe before he’s ready.

Northwestern +3 @ Boston College

This one depends all on Dan Persa's status. If he's cleared to play take Northwestern. When healthy he was maybe the most underrated player in the country last season. BC struggles throwing the ball which should mean that Northwestern can load the box to stop BC RB Montel Harris. Playing in the Big 10 Northwestern is certainly no stranger to running teams so they should be well prepared for the Eagles. However, if Persa is not cleared take a look at the under on whatever it will be, this should be a low scoring affair.

Ole Miss +3 at home vs. BYU

BYU finished strong last season but playing on the road against an SEC opponent is a tough way for any team to start the season. Ole Miss has a new QB in former US Army All American Barry Brunetti who will lean on do everything RB Brandon Bolden. QB Jake Heaps is very talented and got a lot of experience last season, but he’ll find that playing on the road in the SEC is a little different than playing at the likes of Utah State and New Mexico.