These big-priced college football guarantee games are primed for upset

Guarantee games are mutually beneficial for the host school and the visiting team. The games with guarantees of over a million dollars are often the most unpredictable. Last year UCLA lost to Fresno State, Pittsburgh to Western Michigan and Washington to Montana. This year's list includes games where the guest team could win.

Cincinnati plays Arkansas on September 3. The game is worth $1.5 million. Cincinnati has already won last year's playoff and is preparing for the future in the Big 12. Arkansas needs to win to stay relevant in an SEC West.

Appalachian State plays Texas A&M on September 10th. The Mountaineers are a perennial contender in the Sun Belt. Texas Aggies will be aware of Appalachian State's history.

Brigham Young at Oregon is a $1.1 million guarantee game. The game is on September 17. Oregon has a non-conference game against Georgia two weeks earlier.

SMU plays Maryland on September 17. The game is worth $1.2 million. SMU has a new coaching staff but should still bring a high-octane offense.

Texas-San Antonio is a $1.52 million guarantee game on September 17. Texas is coming off a date with Alabama and will be playing with a chip on its shoulder.

Louisiana-Lafayette is playing Florida State on November 19. The game is worth $1.4 million. Louisiana-Louisville didn't capitalize on last year's guarantee-game opportunity at Texas.

Western Kentucky plays at Auburn on November 19. The game is worth $1.9 million. Auburn came within a couple of points of Alabama last season. WKU has a date with the Crimson Tide on the horizon.