Revenge Spot: Arkansas over USC: The Razors were crushed 70-17 at USC last season on national television and this will be a key game for Arkansas to assert itself. Arkansas returns 20 starters and has a great home-field edge. USC will be tested in the first game of the season as they break in several new starters. Arkansas is also a great home underdog going 12-3 ATS since ’97 and the Razors will not be embarrassed again.

Road Trip: Tennessee over California: Cal has the potential to be one of the elite teams in the country this season but opening with a 2,500 mile trip to Knoxville is a difficult starting point. Coming off the worst Vols season in recent memory there will be great emphasis on a strong start to the season. Tennessee has done very well in home openers going 19-2-1 S/U since ’84 and can still be a dominant defensive team, allowing just over 80 yards rushing per game last season, second best in the nation.

Historically Speaking: Mississippi over Memphis: The Rebels won 10-6 in Coach Orgeron’s debut last season and Ole Miss is back at home in the series to start the season. Mississippi is 8-3 ATS in the last eleven home meetings and has won S/U in ten of the last 14. Memphis loses key RB Williams and transitioning back to the spread offense could be difficult early in the season. The all-time series leans to Ole Miss 43-10-2 and those trends will hold up.

Look-Ahead: Central Michigan over Boston College: Led by sophomore RB Sneed, Central Michigan will be ready for a big stage, hosting a major conference foe. Although the Chippewas will have a difficult time winning they could catch BC in a tough road spot with questionable motivation. The Eagles face a huge conference game with Clemson in game two and may not be able to cover a high number on the road. BC was nearly tripped up two years ago opening the season at Ball State and this could be a similarly dangerous spot.

Let-Down: Georgia Tech over Notre Dame: The Irish will enter this season as hyped as any team in recent memory. QB Quinn is a heavy Heisman favorite and with another sterling recruiting class the Domers will be expected to run the table. The season starts off with a very tough road game at Georgia Tech, facing a strong defense and an experienced QB in an unfriendly environment. GT pulled an opening upset last season and will be ready to do the same here.