You loved us. You cussed us. Maybe you even made a buck or two off us.
By acclaim, Bet the House is back for its second season.
We’re starting from scratch. All of our expert selectors are 0-0.
We’re picking all college games this week, all selected against the point spread, because any wimp can just pick a winner.
So go ahead. Read our selections. Scoff, if you will, at our pithy elaborations.
But by all means, feel free to Bet the House.
ANTHONY ANDRO:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — Sure TCU settled on a QB and this game won’t be a contest but 52 1/2? Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Texas is back until it faces LSU. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — The Red Raiders may be down, but they can still score. Pick: Texas Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Matt Mosley has his family’s college savings on this game. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — I believe in the Mean Green this time. Pick: North Texas
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — Shane Buechele deserves more respect. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — Houston has the best QB in the state no one wants to face. Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — Les Miles May start questioning his life choices. Pick: Indiana State
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Death, taxes and terrible K State schedules. Pick: Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — James Madison ain’t no joke for a team with a lot of new faces. Pick: James Madison
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Lots of things to think about other than football in Florida. Pick: Boise State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — When in doubt, go with better conference. Pick: Auburn
JIMMY BURCH:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 – Frogs win in a walk but that is a HUGE number to cover for a team without an established starting quarterback. Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 – Texas quarterback Sam Ehlinger proves he is better than Terry Bradshaw thinks. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 – This would be a MUCH more entertaining matchup during basketball season. Pick: Texas Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 – If the Baylor defense is better than I think, the Bears will cover. But I am still not sold on this defense. Pick: SFA
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 – Mean Green QB Mason Fine rekindles the discussion about whether he is the best college QB in the state. Pick: UNT
SMU at Arkansas State -3 – QB Shane Buechele was embraced as a graduate transfer and elevated to team captain status to win games like this. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 – The Sooners win but are forced to fight hard to make it happen. Noteworthy fact: Houston’s returning QB (D’Eriq King) may be better than OU’s heralded transfer (Jalen Hurts). Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 – Surely, new Kansas coach Les Miles is crafty enough to win his Jayhawks’ debut over an FCS school … isn’t he? Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 – Kansas State wins, but growing pains are evident in the transition to life without coach Bill Snyder. Pick: Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 – The Mountaineers will be pushed to the limit by a traditional FCS power. I like them to cover, but it’s not a given. Pick: West Virginia
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 – A looming hurricane headed toward the Atlantic coast has pushed the venue for this game from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. Having a true home crowd will help the Seminoles cover. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 – Auburn hopes its defense can carry the day, but I think Ducks’ QB Justin Herbert gets the last laugh in a very entertaining game at JerryWorld. Pick: Oregon
ART GARCIA:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — APB
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — UNT
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — OU
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — KU
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — WVU
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Boise
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — Auburn
JOHN HENRY:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — You could present to me a team of 22 players the size of Gary Coleman, and I’m not giving you 52 1/2. Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — In the first of back-to-back games with Huey Long’s people, Texas is king for a day. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — New car smell for Texas Tech, under a new coach and new system, against the Boys from Bozeman, a three-time FCS national champion … way back in the last century. Pick: Texas Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Baylor will score enough to send the Fathers of Texas back to Nacogdoches with only a big check to show for the visit to Waco. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — North Texas’ offense will be on all cylinders this season. The Wildcats would score better on a calculus test. Pick: North Texas
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — The Shane Buechele Era will never be compared to the Lance Mcllhenny or even the Lot McIlhenny Era. But SMU gets off to a better start than 2018. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — Inflation in Oklahoma appears to be a problem. Houston and QB D’Eriq King are problem causers. Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — Unless Larry Bird lines up under center for the Other Indiana, the Les Miles regime begins with happy face emoticons. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Kansas State without Bill Snyder is another Kansas State. Toto, we’re not in the Little Apple anymore. Pick: Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — At 5-foot-4, Constitution crafter James Madison wouldn’t have made his own team. He might’ve made the cut at West Virginia this year. Pick: James Madison
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Who is Florida State? Not really sure. Pick: Boise State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — SEC, SEC, SEC. Pick: Auburn
JAN HUBBARD:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 – Last year, the Frogs beat overmatched opponent Southern U. by 48. Two years ago, they beat Jackson State by 63. It’s a big line but considering that UAPB lost a game to South Dakota State 90-6 last season, I’d give the points: Pick: TCU
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 – Terry Bradshaw, who went to Tech, told the team a few months ago that Sam Ehlinger wasn’t that good. We’ll see. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 – Kliff Kingsbury gets fired and somehow goes to the NFL. Probably won’t work for new coach Matt Wells, who is thankful for the easy opening schedule of Montana, UTEP and Arizona. Pick: Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 – SFA lost its opening game to Mississippi State last year by 57. Bears should cover easily. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 – Mean Green off to a good start against game but overmatched opponents. Pick: UNT
SMU at Arkansas State -3 – Ponies fell short of bowl bid last season but are excited about quarterback Shane Buechele, who transferred from Texas. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 – Three years ago, Cougars shocked OU with an upset win in Houston. Payback time has arrived as Jalen Hurts gets off to a strong start. Pick OU.
Indiana State at Kansas -4 – Can Les Miles do what others have consistently failed to do? The Jayhawks have not had a winning record since 2008. Their record since then is 23-102, but the modest opposition will help – at least this week. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 – These early games between FBS and FCS schools are wildly unpredictable in terms of margin of victory. I would pass on most of the first week’s games, but since I have to pick: Kansas State
James Madison at West Virginia -7 – See previous pick: West Virginia
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 – Game moved from Jacksonville to Tallahassee because of the Hurricane Dorian threat. More troubling for the Broncos, however, is they have to replace starting QB, RB and two wide receivers. Figures to be a tough start on the road. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 – Big early game for Pac-12, which has had a team in the College Football playoffs only twice in five years and none in the last two years. But the Ducks have perhaps the best QB in the country in Justin Herbert, and that will make a difference. Pick: Oregon.
GIL LeBRETON:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — As ridiculous as this point spread is, the Frogs are talented enough to cover it. Who scheduled this mismatch? Pick: TCU
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Tech is picked to finish third in its C-USA division. Longhorns, looking ahead to LSU, should still win easy. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Montana State was an FCS playoff team a year ago, but Tech is too much of an upgrade for the Bobcats. Pick: Texas Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Bears should romp at home against one of the Southland Conference bottom-feeders. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — Mason Fine alone makes this a mismatch. Mean Green will score frequently. Pick: UNT
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — A vote for Shane Buechele in this one. Ponies should win straight up. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — A couple of things in the Cougars’ favor here: QB D’Eriq King and new coach Dana Holgorsen. That should be enough to keep it within 22 points. Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — The Hat is back, and four points isn’t too daunting a spread at home. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Coach Tim Rebowe does an amazing job at Nicholls. Colonels may win this outright. Pick: Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — This is not good scheduling for a Mountaineers team in transition. I smell an upset. Pick: James Madison
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Another year, another reminder of the mess Jimbo Fisher left behind in Tallahassee. But FSU should be at least a touchdown better than Broncos. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — Ducks have senior star Justin Herbert at quarterback. Auburn starting a freshman. Pick: Oregon
MARJORIE LEWIS:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — TCU has yet to settle on a QB and might run out of time before covering 53 points. Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Sam Ehlinger and Tom Herman have arrived at the upper echelon of college football. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Montana State is a solid FCS team and returns nine defensive starters. Pick: Montana State
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Baylor turned things around nicely last season, and the charge continues. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — UNT has big hopes this season led by Mason Fine, the best under-the-radar QB in the nation. Pick: North Texas
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — Mirror images. Texas transfer QB Shane Buechele tips the scale in SMU’s favor. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — Coach Dana Holgorsen knows how to prepare for a Oklahoma, and has D’Eriq King back under center. Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — Les Miles will be beaming, and so will Kansas. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Nicholls is solid just not of Kansas State’s caliber. Pick: Kansas State
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — West Virginia is a mystery with new coach and lots of new players, but should beat the spread. Pick: West Virginia
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — OC Kendal Briles’ quick and speedy offense will stay a step ahead. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — QB Justin Herbert will demonstrate why he’ll make lots of cash after graduation. Pick: Oregon
CARLOS MENDEZ:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — Warm-ups are important too. Pick: TCU
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — LaTech s trouble but Longhorn Nation is too fired up this year. Pick: Texas
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Potentially interesting Red Raiders team with a new coach. Pick: Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Bears will have a good season. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — When you have a quarterback, all is right with your world. Pick: North Texas
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — Keep hearing good things about the job Sonny Dykes is doing. Pick: SMU
Houston at Oklahoma -22 –– Did OU get its act together on defense this summer? Pick: Oklahoma
Indiana State at Kansas -4 –– The slogan at Kansas this year is Miles To Go. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — The new coach fits the K-State style but also brings some creativity. Pick: K-State
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — Mountaineers are a mystery team. Let’s see. Pick: West Virginia
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — No idea. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — This could be fun. Pick: Auburn
MATT MOSLEY:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — TCU will call off the dogs. Why is there a line on this? APB will COVER!!
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Horns cover Horns COVER!!
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Red Raiders cover in Matt Wells’ debut. Tortillas all around.
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Bears cover. I will be in attendance.
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — UNT covers easily!!
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — Ark State is thinking about something bigger than football. Red Wolves roll!!!
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — Sooners destroy Dana and COVER
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — Give me Les’ Jayhawks!!!
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — K-State won’t cover this game in a million years. Nicholls.
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — West Va covers.
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Kendal Briles gets this thing rolling. Mount Vernon and FSU: Two superpowers
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — Oregon covers, Oregon wins!!
RICHIE WHITT:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at TCU -52 1/2 — Golden Lions are picked to finish 5th in the SWAC. Alex Delton pads stats in first Fort Worth, but Frogs can’t score 55 on anyone. Pick: Arkansas-Pine Bluff
Louisiana Tech at Texas -20 1/2 — Sam Ehlinger is right. “Texas is back!” At least this week. Pick: Texas.
Montana State at Texas Tech -25 — Red Raiders have a new coach in Matt Wells vs. Montana State’s 6-foot-6 quarterbacks and diminutive cornerbacks. Pick: Texas Tech
Stephen F. Austin at Baylor -38 — Bears QB Charlie Brewer can name the score against Lumberjacks limping off 2-7 season. Pick: Baylor
Abilene Christian at North Texas -20 1/2 — Mean Green pick up where they left off last season, with an impressive blowout. Pick: North Texas
SMU at Arkansas State -3 — Inspired Red Wolves playing for memory of head coach’s recently deceased wife more than enough to overshadow debut of new Mustangs QB Shane Buechele. Pick: Arkansas State
Houston at Oklahoma -22 — Jalen Hurts stubs toe in first step toward making it three different OU QBs to win Heisman in three consecutive years. Pick: Houston
Indiana State at Kansas -4 — New coach Les Miles owns Lawrence with an undefeated start. Pick: Kansas
Nicholls at Kansas State -23 1/2 — Give me the Colonels, who beat Kansas en route to FCS Playoffs a year ago. Pick: Nicholls
James Madison at West Virginia -7 — New Mountaineers’ coach Neal Brown faces a surprisingly stiff test against No. 2-ranked team in FCS polls that returns 20 starters. Pick: James Madison
Boise State at Florida State -6 1/2 — Both teams starting new QBs, trying to bury memory of sub-par seasons. Pick: Florida State
Oregon vs Auburn (AT&T Stadium) -3 1/2 — Heisman candidate Justin Herbert scores enough points to keep it close against one of nation’s most fierce DLs. Pick: Oregon
