The SMU Mustangs (0-0) and Baylor Bears (0-0) will open up their 2012 college football schedules on Sunday afternoon at Floyd Casey Stadium in Waco, TX, with the opening kickoff scheduled for 6:30 ET

SMU Mustangs at Baylor Bears

SMU will try to open up a season with a win on the road for the first time since 1986, as it travels to take on one of its former Southwest Conference rivals. The Mustangs will be led by Texas Longhorns transfer Garrett Gilbert, who took 27 credit hours in the spring to graduate from Austin and become eligible this season. This is the 79th meeting between the two schools, with today’s visitor holding a 36-35-7 advantage, including an 18-17-3 mark in Waco. SMU is 5-8 on the road the last two years, with the “under” going 8-5 in that situation.

The Mustangs have a strong presence on the ground in Zach Line, who rushed for 1,224 yards and 17 touchdowns last season, as his 34 career rushing touchdowns ranks third-most among active players. Gilbert suffered a season-ending shoulder injury two games into the 2011 season, but started every game for the Longhorns in 2010, passing for 2,744 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has two solid targets on the perimeter in Darius Johnson and Jeremy Johnson, with the duo combining for 89 catches last year. The offensive line was the nation’s most experienced in 2011, but that’s not the case with only 36 combined starts heading into the season opener.

Baylor tied a school record with 10 wins last year and will look to push its current win streak to seven games, which is certainly possible due to winning the last nine games in this series dating back to 1986. The Bears also possess a seven-game home winning streak, which is the fifth-best active streak in the nation. Sunday marks just the second time this rivalry has been scheduled to open a campaign, with today’s host picking up a 28-23 victory as 1.5-point road favorites on September 3, 2005. Baylor is 6-2 in non-conference play the last two years.

The Bears will be led by quarterback Nick Florence offensively, who takes over for Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Robert Griffin III. His main target will be wide receiver Terrance Williams, finishing with 59 catches and 957 receiving yards, which are impressive statistics considering that he played opposite of NFL draftee Kendall Wright. Michigan transfer Darryl Stonum should add depth at the wideout position, combining for 76 catches during his time in Ann Arbor. Griffin III will definitely be missed, but head coach Art Briles has been an incredible mentor to signal-callers during his career—a list that includes Case Keenum, Kevin Kolb and Kliff Kingsbury.

Sports bettors will likely back the Mustangs due to head coach Junes Jones’ 20-9-1 ATS record as a non-conference underdog, while Briles has failed to cover six of his nine season openers.

Read more about Sunday's three college football contests