SEC Predictions for Week 1
Last week was Week 0. Yeah, we saw a B1G match-up between Nebraska and Illinois, as well as UCLA putting a beating on Hawaii, but that was about it.
But this week is where the big guns come in, and every team comes and flexes their muscles.
As usual, we’re going by games that interest us the most. And weirdly Alabama – is in the Top 3.
- No.5 Georgia vs No.3 Clemson (-3, O/U 51.5) (Charlotte): This is a game that everyone’s been excited about since it came on the schedule last year. And although Georgia’s ranked No.5 and Clemson’s ranked No.3, these are two bona fide National Championship favorites. And both have the chance to run the table if they win. Georgia has the better QB in JT Daniels compared to Clemson’s D.J. Uiagalelei, but arguable Clemson has got better receivers, thanks to the heaps of injuries on the Bulldogs. Georgia will try and ram the ball down Clemson’s throat with Zamir White, and can Clemson do the same now Travis Etienne’s gone to the NFL? Arguably not, although freshman Will Shipley could be a lot of fun to watch. Defensively, both teams are excellent. But their offensive lines are also monsters, which means this game could be low-scoring. PREDICTION: Georgia wins 25-21 in a classic.
2. No.1 Alabama (-19.5 O/U 61.5) vs No.14 Miami (Atlanta). What makes this game so intriguing is that Alabama’s got a whole-new everything. Most of their receivers are gone, their best RB is gone, and leaders on the offensive line. Alabama’s defense – which is going to be one of the strengths of this perennial National Championship favorite – is going to be tested by the speed Miami’s D’Eriq King, if not his arm particularly. Oklahoma transfer Charleston Rambo should provide a test for Alabama’s corners – in the same way that John Metchie and Agiye Hall could shred Miami’s. PREDICTION: Alabama 38, Miami 21
3. UCLA vs No. 16 LSU (-3, O/U 65) Needless to say, it’s going to be an emotional game for the LSU family. Only a few days ago, the State of Louisiana was battling Hurricane Ida – which has still left New Orleans without power. Most of LSU’s roster comes from the State of Louisiana area, seven come from New Orleans. The LSU team itself evacuated to Houston, where they practiced at the LSU facility. Now think about how many parents and fans were going to come to LA to see them play UCLA. And those who don’t have power might not be able to see their kids play. UCLA, on the other hand, have very little to worry about. While Louisiana was fearing the wrath of Ida, the Bruins were beating up on Hawaii. UCLA has a good running back in Zach Charbonnet, who had 160 yards and 3 TDs last week, but if QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson plays as badly as he did in the first game, Derek Stingley Jr will have him for breakfast. On the offense side, the Max Johnson experiment starts again, with Kayshon Boutte the man to watch. But will LSU be able to focus after their distractions? PREDICTION: LSU squeaks by in a very fun, emotional games, 38-31.
4. Ole Miss (-10, O/U 80.5) vs Louisville (Atlanta (Monday)) By looking at the line, Vegas is basically banking on the fact that Ole Miss can’t play defense, and therefore won’t be able to stop Louisville’s exceptionally fun QB Malik Cunningham. Matt Corral – on the other side of the ball – has been touted by some as a Heisman candidate – but this will only be possible if Corral can keep out of his own head and stop trying to play gunslinger. PREDICTION: Ole Miss wins 38-31, ruining the day of many who bet on Ole Miss and the over.
THE REST
The line-up of Tennessee vs Bowling Green (Friday), Kentucky vs ULM, Texas A&M vs Kent State, South Carolina vs Eastern Illinois, Missouri vs Central Michigan, Mississippi State vs Louisiana Tech, Auburn vs Akron, Florida vs FAU, Vanderbilt vs East Tennessee State and Arkansas vs Rice will all be murders. Even by SEC standards this line-up of games is dreadful, to the point of being pretty unwatchable.
The only bit of intrigue? Four of these games are going to be under new head coaches, and seven of them will feature new starting quarterbacks. But in terms of getting any lean on how an offense is doing? Yeah, pretty uninspiring.
OUT-OF-CONFERENCE INTERESTING GAMES?
The only other battle of ranked teams – Wisconsin’s hosting of Penn State, should be a fun way to start your Saturday football fun and games.
Of course, Texas’ game with Louisiana-Lafayette shouldn’t be dumbed down. ULL head coach Billy Napier is exceptionally talented, and the fact that the line’s gone from Texas -18 to Texas -9 should tell you something. Steve Sarkasian’s press conference spitting bullets about the offense may be another. What’s also going to be fun is watching UT RB Bijan Robinson, who’s a beast.
Sunday’s game of Notre Dame‘s visit to Florida State will be worth tuning in for early, so you get to pay respect to the late Bobby Bowden, one of the game’s greatest head coaches who died recently. We could see an upset on our hands if the ‘Noles roll on all of that emotion.