The Power of Opening Weekend in the SEC

Photo via Athlon Sports.

Florida vs. Michigan 9/2 3:30 pm- Obviously Florida and Michigan facing off in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium is one of the biggest, most talked about games of the start of football season. But, why? Both teams are ranked in the preseason top 20 of the AP Poll and each are in need of a statement win. The Gators are up for a big test that’s going to tell us a lot. Have they found efficiency at the quarterback position? Can their offense produce? Those two questions have been floating around the Florida fan base for what seems like since Tebow left Gainesville. If the Gators can pull out a win against the well coached Wolverines, heads are going to turn and Jim McElwain’s team may actually be looked at as contenders for an SEC Championship. Are they more than just good, ole SEC East Champions? Time will tell.

Appalachian State vs. Georgia 9/2 6:15 pm- The Bulldogs finished their season last year with an 8-5 record and 4-4 SEC record. They’re entering the 2017 season at #15. The experts have high expectations for Kirby Smart’s dawgs. At first glance UGA’s match up against the Sun Belt Conference Mountaineers looks like an easy win, but let’s not forget how Tennessee started their season last year. They found themselves in overtime against Appalachian State. The Volunteers were, may we say, lucky to have come out with a 20-13 win. The Dawgs aren’t just going to be able waltz in and get a win. It’s going to take some effort. We’ll get to see how Kirby Smart’s team has improved over the off season and whether not they are truly capable of winning the SEC East, as many are predicting.

Georgia Southern vs. Auburn 9/2 7:30 pm- Yep, another “at first glance cupcake win for the SEC against the Sun Belt Conference”. As much as it pains me to mention… Georgia Southern knocked off the Gators back in 2013 and made a name for themselves. Although it is unlikely such an event is ever going to reoccur, it is possible. Expect a little competition for the Auburn Tigers.

Florida State vs. Alabama 9/2 8:00 pm- Arguably the Crimson Tide’s match up is the most anticipated game of opening weekend . It has its reasons. As expected Nick Saban’s team is entering the season at #1. The real question is: will it last? They’ll be facing Jimbo Fisher’s #3 Seminoles. If somehow, someway, the Tide fall to Florida State, it won’t be overlooked by the rest of the SEC, especially the West. Will the Tide prevail or will a new SEC West Champion rise?