It's Game Week!

Game Week is finally here! College football is back with a couple of must see games this weekend. All of us are looking forward to seeing how our teams actually look on the field after months of speculation. The two most anticipated games of this week in the SEC will be Oregon vs. LSU and Boise State vs. Georgia. Comparatively the other SEC schools have easy openers. It's very possible that we could have a complete SEC sweep this week. The two questionable games for me are the ones that most fans are excited to see. Well, I'm back in full force this season so here goes...my picks for SEC Week 1.



Mississippi State vs. Memphis (Thursday, 9/1/2011 @ 7PM CT on FSN)

Mississippi State goes into Memphis having to leave their signature cowbells at home, but this is one game that I don't think they'll need them. Chris Relf at QB came on strong towards the end of last season. Relf along with RB Vick Ballard gives Mississippi a competitive running game. If the Bulldogs can improve their passing game they should do well this season. With a strong ground defense Mississippi State should be able to handle this Memphis team easily.



Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky (Thursday, 9/1/2011 @ 8:15PM CT on ESPNU)

There could be a different Newton making news this season in the SEC. Morgan Newton is taking over the helm at QB this season for Kentucky. Reports are that Newton looks very good in practice, and his confidence has been growing. Western Kentucky comes in off of a struggling season to face an up and coming Kentucky football program. I think Kentucky will win big this week.



Auburn vs. Utah State (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 11AM CT on ESPN2)

Utah State comes in with a decent team to face a very young Auburn team. It will be interesting to see a completely different Auburn offense without Cam Newton doing everything, much like Florida was after Tim Tebow left. While Utah State is no push over team giving the Sooners a run for their money and defeating BYU last season, I don't expect them to be able to pull off this one. Auburn has a very strong advantage when they play at home. I think it will be a good game, but I think the home team advantage wins this game for the tigers.



Alabama vs. Kent State (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 11:21AM CT on the SEC Network)

Alabama will open up the season with the QB question looming in the air. It's very possible that they could go with a two QB system. However, while the QB may be a question for fans of the Tide there is no doubt that fans are hoping for another Heisman winner in the form of Trent Richardson. Richardson, who reportedly doesn't even know his max bench press because the strength coaches always stop him at 460, is a beast. 460 seems like a good number to me seeing as how I doubt Richardson will come across any defenders weighing that much. Kent State was 5-7 last season, and I don't expect them to be able to put up a big fight against Bama. The Tide should win big this week.



Ole Miss vs. BYU (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 3:45PM CT on ESPN)

BYU has a strong offense with QB Jake Heaps running things for the Cougars, but their defense is lackluster to say the least. Ole Miss has an enormously talented and large O-line making their running game their biggest offensive threat. With no solid QB though they should struggle. BYU will come in with a strong offense battling a defense that is ready to perform in the SEC. If Ole Miss can find a way to score they can win this game. This will be a game to watch and should be a good match up.



Tennessee vs. Montana (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 5PM CT PPV only)

Tennessee comes in with a young team still struggling to get back to the top of the SEC. Montana thinks they have a shot to win this game, but I don't think their young offensive line will be able to handle the Vols defense. Tennessee should come out on top in this game, and may surprise a lot of people. They have not been a real topic of discussion in the off season, but you never know what can come out of the SEC.



Florida vs. Florida Atlantic (Saturday 9/3/2011 @ 6PM CT on ESPNU)

We finally get to see what Muschamp and Weis are doing with this Gator squad. Florida should win this decisively just because of the amount of talent they have. This should be a good chance for us to see what Florida is working with this season.



South Carolina vs. East Carolina (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 6PM CT on FSN)

East Carolina really doesn't stand a chance against the Gamecocks. South Carolina comes in with a seasoned QB in Garcia, an exceptional RB in Lattimore, and the oh so underrated Jeffrey. South Carolina is my pick to win the SEC East, and this game should just be a stepping stone on the way there.



Arkansas vs. Missouri State (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 6PM CT on PPV only)

There's really not much to say here. Arkansas QB gets to come out and get his feet wet with a game that should be an easy win for the Hogs. Missouri State just doesn't have the size, strength, or talent to hang with Arkansas. Arkansas should win this one easily.



Vanderbilt vs. Elon (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 6:30PM CT on CSS)

I honestly don't know much about Elon, and I'm going to pick Vanderbilt just because they can compete somewhat in the SEC. Now Vanderbilt does come in to this season with a new coach, but they are returning a somewhat experienced team. Hopefully this season will help Vanderbilt continue the improvement that we've seen in recent years.



Georgia vs. Boise State (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @ 7PM CT on ESPN)

This is without a doubt one of the must see games of Week 1. Georgia will have to be firing on all cylinders to win this game. Broncos QB Kellen Moore is a proven leader and winner. Boise State had no problems going in and pulling out the win against Virginia Tech last season, and I'm sure they're itching to do the same thing to Georgia. Technically Georgia goes in to this game as the underdog according to most of the bookies out there, but I don't see that. The SEC is the premier conference in college football, and even our worst teams can usually hold their own against the other conferences. The key for Georgia to win against Boise State will be their defense. If Georgia can put lots of pressure on Kellen Moore very early on they should be able to pull out the win. This will definitely be a game the nation will have their eyes on. I'm picking the Bulldogs to pull out the win proving that the SEC is a force to be reckoned with. Boise State hasn't faced an SEC team since Georgia stomped them 48-13 in 2005. No doubt they have been one of the top teams in the nation, but they haven't been to the SEC in awhile.



LSU vs. Oregon (Saturday, 9/3/2011 @7PM CT on ABC)

A week ago I didn't doubt that LSU would win this game, but the loss of QB Jordan Jefferson is a major blow for the Tigers. This game is the biggest game of the week by far. LSU could win this game, but they'll have to do it with defense. Oregon is loaded offensively with Darren Thomas and LaMichael James both returning, and they are ready to prove something against the SEC. LSU has strong lines which may help them pull out the win, but I really think the key is defense. If LSU can stop LaMichael James and the Mad Hatter can do what he normally does the Tigers may very well win. I'm going to go out on a limb and pick LSU to win this game solely because I think they may be able to battle a little better than Oregon. This should be an all out in the trenches battle, and I think SEC teams are more suited for those simply because they face more of them.



So, there you have it my preview of Week 1. I can't wait to see the action this week. Go SEC!