SEC College Football is starting this weekend. Fans, it is finally here! After all the talk and back and forth if there was going to be a season, it is here. Clearly, college football started a few weeks ago, but we all know that real college football starts tomorrow, the last weekend in September. The rankings can clearly back that claim as well, with 6 SEC teams in the top 10.
Before we get to that, lets briefly chat about who is actually playing and when. Big 10 is playing-after originally cancelling; starting in October. PAC-12 starts in November. Big-12 and ACC have already started. Finally, the Mid-American Conference (who?) is still undecided on their season. How will the CFB playoffs look? Who will be in? Time will tell… Now for some interesting news.
Biggest News Going Into Saturday
NCAA is discussing waiving bowl requirements for this season. The Division I Council will meet October 13-14 to decide. Thanks COVID, everyone gets a bowl game, are free trophies for all next? Many teams lost players who opted out for the season and had some holes to fill. The question still remains if football will play out in its entirety or will COVID claim this too?
Matchups for 26 September
Alabama named Mac Jones their starting QB for week 1, but will Bryce Young see the field? They also start their season with 13 members named to the All-SEC Team. Missouri welcomes new head coach, Eliah Drinkwitz and brings back their defensive coordinator along with many of their defensive players.
Georgia’s starting QB Jamie Newman opted out for the season citing COVID-19, leaving the starting role to JT Daniels, possibly. We will see Saturday. Arkansas brought in new head coach Sam Pitman, and many faces as well. They also picked up former Gator-Feleipe Franks at QB. Will he be the Hogs’ answer? Hopefully, they’ll need it going 2-10 last season.
This will be the only SEC game where both teams are in the AP Top 25. The previous two ranked #23 teams lost, will Kentucky suffer the same fate? Auburn has Bo Nix returning, which is an advantage to them since they knocked off Alabama in the Iron Bowl. Nick Brahms is the only returning starter on Aubrun’s front line, whereas the Wildcats are returning several starters. It’ll be a good matchup with the two ranked teams.
LSU is returning hungry to try and repeat as national champs. However, they’ll have to do so with a new QB and A LOT of new positions that were filled in the off season. Miss State has Mike Leach stepping up to the head coaching position. LSU is touting that their starting QB has a stronger arm than Burrow, so that will be something to watch Saturday. LSU also lost a great RB in Clyde Edwards-Helarie to the KC Chiefs.
Vandy has a lot of depth, and many players returning. However, they are losing 6 more players ahead of Saturdays game. TAM has good depth on defense but does not have as much on offense. Their starting LB Anthony Hines and their WR Jhamon Austin opted out for the season, along with CB Elijah Blades.
Tennessee had some questions at QB with the transfer of Kasim Hill. They have named Jarrett Guarantano as their starting QB for Saturday. South Carolina is hurting on the WR front, with many players owing out. This leaves room for some of the true freshman to step up.
Ole Miss has restocked their coaching staff, adding Lane Kiffin as their new head coach. Florida will have more experience going against Ole Miss’ O-Line, who has a new center-as their starter opted out. But the biggest dent could be Ole Miss having NO returning defensive lineman.
All the questions leading up to this weekend and any doubts will be answered. Starting off the last weekend in September fans are ready for some fall football! This will be exciting and interesting to see how the season plays out, and how the CFB committee moves forward down the stretch. Those first set of CFB Playoff rankings will be out Tuesday, November 17th?
Signing off, thanks for tuning into “Tailgate Talk” with me; and as always ROLL TIDE, ROLL!
