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Best bets are back! Like every college football fan, I am hoping for a return to normalcy. Things like student sections, marching bands, tailgates and, of course, giving you some winners.

Each week, I will use this space to tell you what I think are a few of the best bets heading into the weekend. I will also throw in an Upset of the Week, which will be a team that is at least a touchdown underdog that I am picking to win outright.

I will also give you picks on other games involving potential College Football Playoff teams. Considering most teams haven't played yet, just about everybody is technically a CFP candidate right now, so I'll go with the AP top 12 for this week.

Week 1 picks

No. 23 Louisiana at No. 21 Texas

I almost picked this as the Upset of the Week. Louisiana has a chance to have the kind of season fellow Sun Belt squad Coastal Carolina did a season ago. The Ragin' Cajuns can really send a message by messing up the debut of new Longhorns' coach Steve Sarkisian. I expect Louisiana to keep it close and it would not surprise me if it wins. Pick: Louisiana (+8)

Kent State at No. 6 Texas A&M

The Aggies start the season ranked in the top ten and are a pick by many to be a sleeper for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Kent State was picked as the best team in the East division of the MAC, but the Flashes are in over their heads. If Texas A&M really is the type of team we expect them to be, this line gets covered pretty early in what should be a rout. Pick: Texas A&M (-28.5)

Miami-Ohio at No. 8 Cincinnati 

If the Bearcats are going to make a case for themselves as a College Football Playoff team, they are going to have to pick up some big wins along the way. Those opportunities will come. In the meantime, they have to lay waste to the teams that they should. When you are not playing the same difficulty of schedule as other contenders, style points matter. Pick: Cincinnati (-23)

Upset of the Week

Duke at Charlotte 

This pick is more about Duke than Charlotte. The Blue Devils finished just 2-9 last season, which is the worst record of the David Cutcliffe era at Duke. This year is not expected to be much better. The Blue Devils are picked for last in the ACC Coastal division this season. Charlotte is the best of their non-conference foes, so a couple wins may be out there, but the 49ers may be too much for the Blue Devils. Pick: Charlotte (+6.5)

Other CFP candidates