College football betting expert Scott Bogman will provide his top picks and predictions for every week of college football action. Let’s get ready for this weekend’s games with Bogman’s best college football bets for Week 1. Check out all of his top college football Week 1 picks and predictions for Auburn vs. Baylor.
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College Football Picks & Week 1 Best Bets: Auburn vs. Baylor
(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)
Auburn vs. Baylor
Auburn is getting the edge, even on the road here, and the system agrees. Auburn seems like a team that is 'ready to take the next step' after a disastrous 2024 due to some unbelievably epic turnovers. Auburn graded as a top-25 overall team, according to Pro Football Focus (PFF), and was 28th and 31st in total offense and defense, respectively. The issues for Auburn in 2024 were that they ranked 105th in red-zone conversion rate and 120th in turnover margin. The quarterback issues were addressed two-fold: New starter Jackson Arnold gets the offensive line he didn't have at Oklahoma last year, and the Tigers have a four-star freshman recruit in Deuce Knight, who was the sixth-highest rated quarterback prospect according to 247 Sports. The Tigers’ defense, which graded as a top-20 unit, was 31st in total defense and 27th in scoring defense last season, and ranks 23rd in defensive returning production.
Baylor is at home in this game, and they rank in the top 10 in total returning production. However, this squad, like most Big 12 Teams, is skewed toward the offense and lacks the talent to keep pace on defense. Baylor quarterback Sawyer Robertson and preseason All-American wide receiver Josh Cameron should be able to put points up. Baylor ranks 10th in offensive returning production and had a top-20 scoring offense last year. The issue is with the defensive side, which ranked well below average across the board statistically and graded 103rd.
This is a tight line and laying points, on the road, for a team that lost close games last season could be seen as a reach. If the Tigers have fixed their red-zone and turnover issues with new options at the quarterback spot, this game will go to Auburn, and the total should be in danger as well.
Pick: Auburn -2.5 (-110) & Over 58.5 Points (-110)
