By Matt Smith
SouthernPigskin.com

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Matt Smith previews week one in the SEC.

As crisp mornings return and evening sunlight dwindles each day, it can only mean one thing. The 2021 college football season is finally here, commenced by a toe dip last Saturday of Week 0 games. No one truly knows what the future holds in this sport, but its time to put all of the realignment, playoff expansion, and NIL silliness to the side. Im going to enjoy the next four months and worry about the rest later. I hope you can do the same.

The SEC season takes flight on Thursday night with Josh Heupels debut as head coach at Tennessee, running all the way through Monday when Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss launch their 2021 campaign against Louisville in Atlanta. Only four SEC teams face Power Five opponents, so this isnt the most attractive slate of games, but its football, and thats all that ever matters in Week 1.

14 teams (for one more year, at least). 14 games. Lets take a deep dive into Week 1 in the SEC.

This is a Big Week for:
Coach: Ed Orgeron, LSU
Its hard to declare with confidence that Orgeron is on the hot seat, but it certainly doesnt seem implausible after the Tigers fall from 15-0 to 5-5. Anything better than 8-4 will be difficult if LSU takes a loss at UCLA.

Player: J.T. Daniels, QB, Georgia
We think Daniels is the guy to elevate the Bulldogs offense, but he started only four games last season. He fared reasonably well against a good Cincinnati defense in the Peach Bowl, but Saturday nights showdown with Clemson is a big step up. Georgia doesnt have to win the game, but for goals to be achieved later in the season, Daniels needs to show this offense has more diversity that it has shown for much of the past two seasons.

Unit: Georgia Offensive Line
I dont expect to see a better unit this season than the Clemson defensive line. Georgias offensive line was satisfactory in 2020, but it left something to be desired. With some turnover and a couple camp injuries that has limited cohesion development, this is the biggest concern for the 8Dawgs heading to Charlotte on Saturday night.

Trivia Time
1. Who is the last SEC team to win a regular-season game at the Rose Bowl?
2. What was the name of the bowl csystemd that allowed No. 1 Miami and No. 2 Alabama to play for the national title in 1992?
3. What two cities besides Athens and Clemson have hosted Georgia-Clemson games?

Game Predictions
Bowling Green at Tennessee, Thursday, 8 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Announcers: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic
Series History: Tennessee leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 2015 3 Tennessee 59, Bowling Green 30 (Nashville)
Line: Tennessee -34
Over/Under: 59
The Josh Heupel era at Tennessee begins against Bowling Green, which has been one of the worst teams in the FBS of late, winning just five games in the past three years. The Vols hope to provide at minimum an entertaining product this season, and the Falcons are unlikely to put up much resistance after allowing 45 points per game in a truncated 2020 season. Quarterback Joe Milton won a four-way competition to start under center for Tennessee, but Ill be watching the revamped offensive line. If it struggles at all with Bowling Greens Swiss-cheese defense, it could be a really long season for this unit once conference play gets rolling.
Prediction: Tennessee 41, Bowling Green 10 (Bowling Green/under)

Louisiana-Monroe at Kentucky, Noon ET (SEC Network)
Announcers: Taylor Zarzour and Matt Stinchcomb
Series History: Kentucky leads 4-1
Last Meeting: 2014 3 Kentucky 48, Louisiana-Monroe 14
Line: Kentucky -29.5
Over/Under: 55.5
Kentucky unleashes its new offense under first-year coordinator and Sean McVay protxc3xa9gxc3xa9 Liam Coen against a Warhawks team that has had a difficult preseason camp while new head coach Terry Bowden was dealing with the passing of his father, Bobby. Rich Rodriguez has resurfaced as the offensive coordinator in Monroe, with his son, Rhett, the starting quarterback. ULM went 0-10 in 2020 and had only one loss by fewer than 18 points (yikes!). With Kentucky being able to run at will against this defense, it might as well let Will Levis throw the ball and see if he can be the guy to resurrect a dormant passing offense prior to a massive Week 2 tilt for the Wildcats against Missouri.
Prediction: Kentucky 45, Louisiana-Monroe 7 (Kentucky/under)

Rice at Arkansas, 2 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Announcers: Mike Couzens and Dustin Fox
Series History: Arkansas leads 35-29-3
Last Meeting: 1991 3 Arkansas 20, Rice 0
Line: Arkansas -19.5
Over/Under: 51.5
Year 2 for Sam Pittman begins with an old Southwest Conference rivalry, if you will, as Arkansas welcomes an improving Rice program to Fayetteville. The Owls have made baby steps under fourth-year head coach Mike Bloomgren, highlighted by a 20-0 road win at No. 15 Marshall late last season. Nebraska transfer Luke McCaffrey is a contender to direct the Rice offense, so the level of competition shouldnt be overly intimidating, but he has yet to be named the starter after just arriving in Houston in the middle of the summer. This line being under three touchdowns is more of a compliment to Rice than it is hesitancy about Arkansas. With Texas looming next week, I expect the Razorbacks offense to show as little as possible, but at the same time, I wouldnt expect K.J. Jefferson to be able to put a ball cap on after halftime.
Prediction: Arkansas 38, Rice 20 (Rice/under)

(1) Alabama vs. (14) Miami (FL) (Atlanta), 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Announcers: Sean McDonough, Todd Blackledge and Todd McShay
Series History: Alabama leads 14-3
Last Meeting: 1992 (1993 Sugar Bowl): Alabama 34, Miami (FL) 13
Line: Alabama -19
Over/Under: 62
Saturdays contest with Miami is Alabamas most notable season opener since a top-five showdown with Florida State in 2017. That doesnt mean the Hurricanes are primed for an upset, however. DEriq King is scheduled to make his return at quarterback eight months after tearing an ACL in Miamis bowl game, but hell be doing so against the most complete defense in the country. Bryce Youngs first start for Alabama comes against a defense that should be stronger in the back seven than up front, as it looks to recover from allowing a whopping 554 rushing yards in the regular-season finale last year against North Carolina. The 8Canes have some dangerous skill position talent, but King wont be overly threatening to this Alabama defense. The offense will be choppy, but the Crimson Tide will grind out a fairly comfortable win on the strength of its defense.
Prediction: Alabama 34, Miami 14 (Alabama/under)

Louisiana Tech at Mississippi State, 4 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Announcers: John Schriffen and Rene Ingoglia
Series History: Mississippi State leads 14-3
Last Meeting: 2018 3 Mississippi State 45, Louisiana Tech 3
Line: Mississippi State -23.5
Over/Under: 52.5
A battle of Bulldogs takes place in Starkville to begin the season. Louisiana Tech is one of the most consistent programs in the country, having gone seven straight years without a losing season. Luke Anthony directed the Louisiana Tech offense in 2020 following a transfer from Abilene Christian, but an injury has forced him to give way to another transfer, Austin Kendall, who started at Oklahoma and also played at West Virginia. A 5-5 2020 season was highlighted by a double-overtime win over eventual Conference USA champion UAB. Mississippi State hopes for a Year 2 bounce under Mike Leach, but would gladly take a replica of last seasons opener in which the offense put up 632 yards in a big upset win at LSU. As consistent as it has been, Louisiana Tech rarely pushes a mid or top-tier Power Five program. Ill take the points, but I dont expect any real game pressure for Mississippi State.
Prediction: Mississippi State 42, Louisiana Tech 21 (Louisiana Tech/over)

Central Michigan at Missouri, 4 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Announcers: Kevin Brown and Hutson Mason
Series History: First Meeting
Line: Missouri -13.5
Over/Under: 60.5
Jim McElwain brings his Chippewas to Columbia to take on Missouri, four years removed from being fired by Florida six days before the Gators were scheduled to visit Columbia. McElwain has been successful so far in Mt. Pleasant, going 11-9 in two seasons. Washington transfer Jacob Sirmon is the likely new quarterback, but is still battling incumbent Daniel Richardson. The Chippewas last Power Five game was a narrow 17-12 loss to Miami (FL) in 2019. Unlike Kentucky, Missouri may need to utilize more of the playbook in the week prior to their potential season-defining game next Saturday. If the Tigers struggle to physically mash the Chips up front, that could be an ominous sign. This is an interesting matchup and a fair line, but Ill remain bullish on the Tigers until they show me reason not to be.
Prediction: Missouri 37, Central Michigan 17 (Missouri/under)

Akron at Auburn, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Announcers: Mike Corey and Ben Hartsock
Series History: Auburn leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 1988 3 Auburn 42, Akron 0
Line: Auburn -37
Over/Under: 55.5
A battle of former Terry Bowden employers kicks off the Bryan Harsin era at Auburn. Harsin couldnt have asked for a more preferable opponent, as Tom Arths Zips are just 1-17 in his two seasons, failing to score 10 points in half of those 18 games. The Akron defense allowed 248 yards per game in 2020, which should play right into the Tigers hands with preseason All-SEC running back Tank Bigsby and a veteran offensive line. Unless Bo Nix is missing wide open receivers, which there should be plenty of, its unlikely that the Auburn quarterback will take much heat this week.
Prediction: Auburn 45, Akron 3 (Auburn/under)

Eastern Illinois at South Carolina, 7 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Announcers: Bill Roth and Chris Doering
Series History: First Meeting
Line:
Over/Under:
As the saying goes, if youre paying someone to play you, make sure there is no chance that they take a win home along with the paycheck. That shouldnt be a problem for South Carolina, who opens against an Eastern Illinois team that won just once in 2019 and once in the FCS spring season. South Carolinas quarterback situation is in flux after a preseason camp injury to incumbent Luke Doty, meaning graduate assistant-turned-player Zeb Noland, formerly at North Dakota State, will put his coaching career on hold and start at quarterback on Saturday night. Standout running back Kevin Harris availability is in doubt as he deals with a back injury. With a better foe, things could get really wobbly in Shane Beamers debut, but the Panthers struggles should provide little concern.
Prediction: South Carolina 31, Eastern Illinois 10

Florida Atlantic at (11) Florida, 7:30 p.m. ET (SEC Network)
Announcers: Tom Hart, Jordan Rodgers and Cole Cubelic
Series History: Florida leads 3-0
Last Meeting: 2015 3 Florida 20, Florida Atlantic 14 (OT)
Line: Florida -24.5
Over/Under: 52.5
FAU head coach Willie Taggart expected to have an annual rivalry game with Florida when he was hired at Florida State in 2018, but ended up coaching just one Florida-Florida State game before being fired. Hell see the Gators once again on Saturday night on the heels of a 5-4 2020 season. Miami (FL) transfer NKosi Perry will get the start for the Owls, while Emory Jones makes his long-awaited first start at quarterback for the Gators. The running back rotation will be the most interesting thing to watch, as Florida has a variety of options in an offense that should be more run-heavy than in 2020. The Gators are 5-0 against non-Power Five opponents under Dan Mullen, winning by an average of 44 points per game.
Prediction: Florida 49, Florida Atlantic 20 (Florida/over)

(5) Georgia vs. (3) Clemson (Charlotte), 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Announcers: Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit
Series History: Georgia leads 42-18-4
Last Meeting: 2014 3 Georgia 45, Clemson 21
Line: Clemson -3
Over/Under: 52
Other than Alabama-Texas A&M and maybe Iowa State-Oklahoma, its hard to find a regular-season game in 2021 bigger than Saturday nights clash of titans in Charlotte. The former annual rivals have met just twice in the past 17 seasons, with both games coming prior to their late-decade boom into annual national title contenders. I dont see a dramatic edge for either side at quarterback, with a pair of five-star quarterbacks in J.T. Daniels and D.J. Uiagalelei who started four and two games respectively in 2020. This game will be won at the line of scrimmage, and while both teams cant be overly confident in their offensive lines, the Clemson defensive front and a notable injury for Georgia in center Warren Ericson swings the pendulum to the Tigers. The Bulldogs will regroup and remain a national title-caliber team, but on Saturday night in a stadium theyre very comfortable in, Clemson will flex some muscle.
Prediction: Clemson 27, Georgia 17 (Clemson/under)

Kent State at (6) Texas A&M, 8 p.m. ET (ESPNU)
Announcers: Dave Neal and Tom Ramsey
Series History: First Meeting
Line: Texas A&M -29
Over/Under: 65.5
Most Southerners may not be aware, but Kent State, which won no more than four games in a season from 2013-2018, is now a MAC title contender under fourth-year head coach Sean Lewis. The Golden Flashes averaged 50 points per game in a brief four-game season in 2020 and are led by fifth-year senior quarterback Dustin Crum. Texas A&M has appointed redshirt freshman Haynes King as the replacement for Kellen Mond, giving Jimbo Fisher a rare starting quarterback with the ability to be a playmaker with his legs. Scoring shouldnt be a problem for the Aggies on Saturday night, but how a retooled offensive line looks, even with the stats sure to look just fine, could be foretelling for conference play.
Prediction: Texas A&M 45, Kent State 17 (Kent State/under)

East Tennessee State at Vanderbilt, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN+)
Announcers: Mike Morgan and Kelly Stouffer
Series History: Vanderbilt leads 1-0
Last Meeting: 2019 3 Vanderbilt 38, East Tennessee State 0
Line:
Over/Under:
Vanderbilt aims for its first win since the 2019 finale against East Tennessee State on Saturday night against . . . East Tennessee State. Wins will be few and far between in Clark Leas first season, but this week shouldnt be much of a problem. There wont be much to glean against the Buccaneers, but Vanderbilt has a handful of interesting skill position players that should be able to dominate, notably wide receiver Cam Johnson and running back ReMahn Davis, a transfer from Temple. Incumbent Ken Seals outlasted a camp battle with Mike Wright to remain the starting quarterback for the Commodores.
Prediction: Vanderbilt 35, East Tennessee State 7

(16) LSU at UCLA, 8:30 p.m. ET (FOX)
Announcers: Joe Davis and Brock Huard
Series History: First Meeting
Line: LSU -3.5
Over/Under: 67
One of the most interesting games of Week 1 will have a beautiful setting under the fading sunlight of southern California between two historic programs that have never met. UCLA got a head start on the 2021 season with a 44-10 thrashing of Hawaii in Week 0, while LSU has had a disjointed week following their relocation over the weekend from Baton Rouge to Houston to escape Hurricane Ida. LSUs run defense 3 a liability for much of 2020 3 should get a big test from a diverse UCLA rushing attack with quarterback Dorian Thompson-Robinson and running back Zach Charbonnet. Offensively, LSU hopes to resurrect some of its 2019 magic under new coordinator Jake Peetz. A difficult week for the Tigers will end on a high note, but this will a great duel and perhaps the best game of the opening weekend.
Prediction: LSU 31, UCLA 29 (UCLA/under)

Louisville vs. Ole Miss, Monday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Announcers: Rece Davis and Kirk Herbstreit
Series History: First Meeting
Line: Ole Miss -9.5
Over/Under: 76
Week 1 wraps up with one of the sexier teams of the buildup to the season in Ole Miss. Louisville was in Ole Miss shoes a year ago after a surprising eight-win 2019 season in Scott Satterfields first year, but the Cardinals went belly-up in 2020 and finished 4-7. Quarterback Malik Cunningham has been inconsistent at times, but for Louisville to pull off an upset, hes going to have to match Matt Corral and the Ole Miss offense blow for blow. Its hard to paint a picture of that happening without a Corral clunker, which cant be written off entirely after two games with five or more interceptions last year. Expect to see some tangible improvement from the Ole Miss defense, which should increase the margin for error for the offense. Injuries could derail this team, but early on, I expect the Rebels to look like a top-15 team and take care of business on Monday night.
Prediction: Ole Miss 49, Louisville 31 (Ole Miss/over)

Best Bets
N.C. State -18 vs. USF (Thursday)
USC -14 vs. San Jose State
South Alabama +1.5 vs. Southern Miss
Syracuse Even at Ohio
Notre Dame-Florida State under 56 (Sunday)

The Best Game Ive Ever Watched On September 4:
Sept. 4, 2016: Texas 50, No. 11 Notre Dame 47 (2OT)
Two of the sports most storied brands engaged in a wild shootout that looked to be the start of successful seasons for both teams. It turned out to be a mirage with both teams finishing with losing records, but on a wild Sunday night in September, it was about as entertaining as football can get. The Irish struck first with an easy touchdown, but Texas rallied to build a 31-14 lead.

Once Notre Dame settled on DeShone Kizer at quarterback after rotating with Malik Zaire, the Irish stormed back to take a 35-31 lead early in the fourth quarter. A seemingly go-ahead touchdown for Texas turned out not to be, as a blocked PAT attempt was returned for two points, and the game was tied at 37-37. The teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, but Notre Dames drive stalled to start the second overtime, and the Irish settled for a field goal. The Longhorns had no problem topping that, as quarterback Tyrone Swoopes capped a five-play drive with a six-yard touchdown on a designed run to send Royal-Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.

ABC announcer Joe Tessitore declared after the game that cTexas is backd, but that was far from reality, as the Longhorns finished 5-7 and fired head coach Charlie Strong. Notre Dame parted ways with defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder three weeks later, as his unit never recovered from allowing half a hundred on a steamy night in Austin, and would finish 4-8.

Sundays (Tuesday this week) Projected Top 10
1. Alabama (1)
2. Clemson (3)
3. Oklahoma (2)
4. Texas A&M (6)
5. Iowa State (7)
6. Cincinnati (8)
7. Notre Dame (9)
8. North Carolina (10)
9. Wisconsin (12)
10. Georgia (5)
Dropped out: Ohio State (4)

Trivia Answers
1. Tennessee (1997)
2. The Bowl Coalition
3. Augusta, Ga. (1907-1913) and Anderson, S.C. (1916)