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The opening weekend of the college football season is almost here, and what better way to spend it than by watching 13 games involving SEC teams, whether you are lounging on your couch or viewing on the go via your favorite mobile device?
Now that fall camp is over, we’ve learned a few things about each conference team, and now we’ve rated all 13 games in terms of watchability.
These rankings are subjective but also account for league and national impact along with how exciting and how close the games will be. Games are ranked on a 1-to-5 Georgia Dome scale (the site of the SEC Championship Game), with 5 being the most watchable game and 1 being the least.
Note: All times ET
5 Georgia Domes
No. 18 Georgia vs. No. 22 North Carolina, Sat. 5:30 p.m., ESPN — In a contest that’s actually being played in the Georgia Dome, it’s the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game. Both teams are coming off successful seasons but ended them in totally different fashion: The Bulldogs won five straight while the Tar Heels dropped two in a row. North Carolina was still in contention for a spot in the College Football Playoff before losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game. Georgia’s Nick Chubb, who had been recovering from a season-ending knee injury, has been cleared to play, but the Bulldogs are still waiting for fellow running back Sony Michel to return after he broke his left forearm in an ATV accident in July. Players to watch for UNC include QB Mitch Trubisky, RB Elijah Hood and receivers Mack Hollins and Ryan Switzer.
No. 20 USC vs. No. 1 Alabama, Sat. 8 p.m., ABC — The Crimson Tide begins its title defense with a primetime matchup on Saturday night. Nick Saban, who has led Bama to four national championships over the last seven seasons, is still determining whether to go with Cooper Bateman or Blake Barnett at quarterback against the Trojans. Southern Cal is starting a new QB in Max Browne. It’s a meeting of two of the most successful programs in college football history and one that features one of the nation’s best defenses (15.1 points per game allowed in 2015) taking on one of its best offenses (33.9 points per game).
No. 11 Ole Miss vs. No. 4 Florida State, Mon. 8 p.m., ESPN — Of all the Week 1 matchups on the slate, this one could have the biggest implications regarding the College Football Playoff. The loser won’t be eliminated from the race, but it will have a tough hill to climb. With Sean Maguire having to wait a few weeks while nursing a foot injury, the Seminoles will start redshirt freshman Deondre Francois at QB. Ole Miss counters with the best quarterback in the SEC in Chad Kelly. Throw in two of the better defenses in the country, and you have a doozy of a matchup.
No. 2 Clemson at Auburn, Sat. 9 p.m., ESPN — This might be a mismatch on paper, but it’s one that has several interesting storylines. Clemson will be looking to take out its frustration over losing to Alabama in last season’s national title game on another SEC team. Gus Malzahn will be trying to get his team off to a good start after it finished just 7-6 last season. Plus, Deshaun Watson kicks off what he and Clemson hope will be a Heisman Trophy-winning campaign.
4 Georgia Domes
Appalachian State at No. 9 Tennessee, Thu. 7:30 p.m., SECN — The Volunteers, who go into their opener with high expectations and tons of buildup, face a team that won’t be a pushover. The Mountaineers are coming off an 11-2 season that they capped by winning their first bowl game at the FBS level.
No. 5 LSU vs. Wisconsin, Sat. 3:30 p.m., ABC — The two most appealing aspects of the matchup are that Leonard Fournette gets to run all afternoon, and that the game is being played at Lambeau Field, home of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers.
No. 16 UCLA at Texas A&M, Sat. 3:30 p.m., CBS — One of the best QBs in the country in Josh Rosen goes up against the Aggies’ new signal-caller in Oklahoma transfer Trevor Knight.
3 Georgia Domes
Missouri at West Virginia, Sat. Noon, FS1 — The Tigers begin the Barry Odom era with a trip to Morgantown, which they are visiting for the first time since 1993.
South Carolina at Vanderbilt, Thu. 8 p.m., ESPN — Will Muschamp makes his head-coaching debut with the Gamecocks. By the way, we wish every SEC team would play another one in Week 1.
2 Georgia Domes
South Alabama at Mississippi State, Sat. Noon, SECN — The Bulldogs begin the post-Dak Prescott era with a nonconference cupcake. Mississippi State has won the two previous meetings by a combined 65-13 score.
Louisiana Tech at Arkansas, Sat. 4 p.m., SECN — This game might be closer than Vegas expects it will be. The Bulldogs are one of 18 FBS teams that have won at least nine games the last two years.
Southern Miss at Kentucky, Sat. 7:30 p.m., ESPNU — The Golden Eagles won nine games last season. That’s a number the Wildcats would love to reach. The teams are meeting for the first time in 30 years.
1 Georgia Dome
Massachusetts at Florida, Sat. 7:30 p.m., SECN — The Gators are looking to build on their SEC East-winning season. The Minutemen, who have never faced Florida before, are visiting the Sunshine State for the first time since 1964, when they lost to East Carolina in the Tangerine Bowl.
Stan Chrapowicki is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, Alabama and Auburn.
