Baylor faced a mobile duel-threat in Auburn’s Jackson Arnold, whose 137 rushing yards and two touchdowns underscored the threat of a quarterback who can buy time and create chaos. Austin with Aranda’s defense must plan for SMU’s Kevin Jennings, whose runs extend drives and set up big plays through the air, a Brock Purdy-like dynamic that makes containment a multi-layer chess match. An injury to Baylor’s Jackie Marshall adds urgency, while SMU’s Rhett Lashlee stresses balancing Jennings’ feet with pocket passes to keep Baylor guessing.

The SMU-Baylor scenario hinges on how defenses adapt to dual-threat quarterbacks, with film study driving plans to flush runners and disrupt timing. Jennings’ willingness to take off, coupled with his accuracy when the play breaks down, could tilt the upcoming showdown in Dallas/Fort Worth. The clash promises to be a tight test of spies, pressure schemes, and drive-extending improvisation.

Week 1 kicks off with the 49ers visiting Seattle in a clash that carries playoff-like pressure. SF is a 2.5-point favorite with a 43.5 total, a shade under most Week 1 games, signaling a defensive-minded opener. San Francisco relies on Christian McCaffrey and Brock Purdy, while Seattle tries to slow them with a seasoned defensive approach.

The fantasy storyline centers on Purdy’s 243-yard prop and McCaffrey’s 72.5 rushing line, with SF’s receiving corps still shaping up. Expect Shanahan to lean on McCaffrey and test Seattle’s front. DK Metcalf and Geno Smith face a recalibrated SF defense, while the Niners look to push for a near-100-yard rushing day for McCaffrey. Laying the points with SF looks smart, with Purdy and McCaffrey as the core DFS anchors.

Week 1 fantasy QB rankings swing dramatically as injuries, matchups and weather tilt projections. The gap between QB7 and QB12 is tiny, and a fumble can flip multiple spots in a heartbeat. Lineup decisions should ride late-week updates rather than Tuesday projections, with FanDuel implied totals driving the projections more than early-week consensus. In Week 1, Lawrence vs CAR and Murray vs ARI illuminate how totals and game scripts shift value, while Lawrence, Maye, Murray, and Love vault into top-tier consideration at the margins.

The piece highlights Lions at 22.5, Jaguars at ~25, Cowboys at 20, and a broader caution to wait for updates on SportsLine. It also flags QB sleepers and streamers like Richardson and Flacco, underscoring that Week 1 is about upside within thin margins and the importance of late-breaking info for fantasy and betting decisions.