Pat McAfee declares the best team in the Big 12

ESPN analyst Pat McAfee has never been one to shy away from a controversial opinion and he dropped one (at least locally) in his Big 12 pick. McAfee led a discussion on his top team in the Big 12, which drew some pointed boos from the partisans on hand in Utah for College GameDay.

Not only did McAfee name his top team, but he named the key star who is a potential difference maker in establishing that foundation.

McAfee praises a difference-making player

There's a freshman quarterback for BYU, Bear Bachmeier, who looks very cool. He has a very cool number. He has a very cool name.... Looks like a linebacker, plays like a linebacker. Last week, he went for 307 through the air, 49 yards rushing and three total touchdowns. He's only getting better. He's a freshman who's only getting better for them. Pat McAfee

With Bachmeier's skills (and his odd uniform number, 47) discussed, McAfee then named his best team in the Big 12.

McAfee names his top B12 team

I know they're not going to like hearing this, but the Holy War happened. The game took place.... It's hard not to say that BYU is the best team in the Big 12 right now, Coach Saban.Pat McAfee

8-0 BYU drew McAfee's nod. He noted the rivalry game with Utah, dubbed the Holy War, that BYU won 24-21. While BYU still has significant tests at Texas Tech and Cincinnati, their unbeaten start and the play of Bachmeier has drawn substantial attention, and not just from McAfee.

Bachmeier's memorable season

Bachmeier grabbed the starting QB job as a true freshman at BYU after incumbent passer Jake Retzlaff withdrew from the school following misconduct allegiations. Bachmeier had committed to Stanford but after the coach who signed him, Troy Taylor, was fired, he chose to transfer to BYU, where he stepped into the starting role ahead of the season.

Bachmeier is completing over 62% of his passes for 1,693 yards and 11 touchdowns while rushing for another 408 yards and nine scores on the ground. He was chosen as a Heisman Trophy candidate this week by FOX Sports analyst Robert Griffin III.

While a chorus of boos greeted McAfee's praise of the BYU Cougars, BYU and Cincinnati sit alone atop the league and in part due to the strong play of Bachmeier, the Cougars' fate rests in their own hands.