Football is here and if you think waiting 234 days for the next College football game was frustrating, just think how it must have felt for the Washington Huskies. Not only did they lose their last regular season game in OT, to their sub-par bitter-rival, Washington State. They then added insult to injury by losing to Boise State on a last minute field goal in the Las Vegas Bowl.

But this year could be very different.  With a much experienced senior QB, like Keith Price and a speedy running back to help establish the passing game, the Huskies will look to make up for lost ground.  How do you make up for last year’s missed opportunities? Simple…play the same teams again and WIN!

They get that chance in their home opener against the Boise State Broncos, with a rare back-to-back opportunity to “total redeem themselves” (sorry…I couldn’t resist a dumb and dumber moment). Here are some key factors that make this bet sexy:

• Price will be focused as he gets another chance to prove himself after playing poorly against Boise State.
• 18 returning starters vs. 9 returning starters
• First game to be played in the “new” Husky stadium.  Sold out crowd, night game and televised.  (It will be unbelievably loud!)
• Payback game for the Huskies.  This game was circled on the calendar before they had even left McCarran Airport in Las Vegas.
• Contrary to belief, Sarkisian is on the hot seat.  He can’t afford less than 8 wins this season, let alone back-to-back losses to Boise State.

With the Broncos being the underdogs and ranked 19th in the country, you can bet the public will love Boise State to cover.  Even having to lay points, I believe this game has great value.

Consider: Washington Huskies -3.5 

Good Luck!

Forty Six & 2

Greg Smith is a sports handicapper at Only Best Bets and writer for The Saturday Edge. You can follow Greg on Twitter throughout the college football season @onlybestbets.