The SEC will have some great match-ups this opening weekend of college football. Seven very attractive games are on the schedule for this Labor Day weekend. The Scribe gives his opening weekend predictions.
The SEC West could be in for some dog fights this weekend. Alabama, Ole Miss, Auburn, and Texas A&M will definitely have challenges. Alabama will travel to Dallas again but this time will take on the USC Trojans. Alabama has won four of the last seven national titles and will be in the hunt again in 2016. The Tide will break in another new quarterback, but like all Nick Saban teams, they will run the ball and play great defense. Alabama 27-20.
Clemson will head to the “Plains” to take on the Auburn Tigers. The Tigers lost to Alabama in the National Championship last fall. They return quarterback Deshaun Watson, and that should be enough to tame the Tigers. Clemson 38-17.
Georgia will play close to home in Atlanta as they host North Carolina. Larry Fedora and the Tar Heels are coming off a great season last year (11-1) before losing to Clemson in the ACC Championship game. Georgia has a new head coach in Kirby Smart. The Bulldogs' biggest question mark is who will be the quarterback and will Nick Chubb be ready for the opener. Georgia 20-17.
LSU makes the long trip to Lambeau Field in Green Bay to face Big Ten opponent Wisconsin. The Tigers have an ace in running back Leonard Fournette. The question is if quarterback Brandon Hill will help the Tigers' passing offense. LSU 24-13.
Florida State returns 21 players from their two-deep offense, and the defense will have a mixture of youth and experience. Ole Miss returns quarterback Chad Kelly and a bend-but-won’t-break defense. This Labor Day game will be played in Orlando. FSU 28-24.
Mississippi State starts their reconstructing era as Dak is gone. The Bulldogs will be OK in this opener. Lots of new faces on both sides of the ball will help MSU overwhelm South Alabama. MSU 42-10.
Southern Mississippi heads to Blue Grass Country for their season opener against Kentucky. USM will have four-year starter Nick Mullens back at quarterback. The Golden Eagles return six starters back on both sides of the ball. Kentucky returns 13 starters. Kentucky 42-35.
West Virginia 21, Missouri 10; Texas A&M 28, UCLA 27; Arkansas 28, La. Tech 13; Florida 42, Massachusetts 0; Tennessee 45, Appalachian State 12; South Carolina 20, Vanderbilt 10.
