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SEC Power Rankings: Conference opens season with tough schedule

Fans will get their first look on Thursday night when South Carolina hits the road and takes on Vanderbilt. Both of these programs are expected to struggle this year, but a first week win would bring some confidence to both schools. The Gamecocks have more talent, but the Commodores have more experience, especially on the defensive side of the ball. It should be a good tight game to begin the 2016 season, but look for the home team to pullout a close game.

Several experts are predicting Tennessee to win the East Division this season. The Volunteers open the year against Appalachian State at home, a game that could be close early, but expect a big second half from the Vols’ and a 25+ point victory when the dust clears.

Mississippi State will be looking for a new starting quarterback with Dak Prescott now in the NFL, but luckily the Bulldogs open at home against a weak South Alabama team, which should give whoever takes over the offense some confidence. Look for the team to get rolling after the opening quarter and romp to a big win, scoring 35 or more points on Saturday.

Missouri is one of the few SEC teams opening on the road and its a tough test as the face West Virginia. The Tigers struggled on offense last season and that will likely continue in 2016. Look for the Mountaineers to pull away in the second half and with a rowdy home crowd, this game could get out of hand if Missouri can’t get some points on the board early.

Texas A&M went through plenty of turmoil over the last few months, but the Aggies finally get to play some football. They host a ranked UCLA Bruins squad that has plenty of talent on both sides of the ball and are looking to make an early season statement for the PAC 12. The home field advantage will help, but the defense will need to force some turnovers. In what should be a close game, look for the Bruins to pull this one out.

One of the marquee match ups on Saturday have the LSU Tigers taking on Wisconsin at the famed Lambeau Field. LSU is highly ranked and some experts have them challenging Alabama in the West Division and for a spot in the NCAA Playoffs in January. While some are expecting a close game, the Tigers are clearly the better team and if they play as expected, it could turn ugly with the ‘Bayou Bengals’ winning by 20 or more points.

Arkansas hosts Louisiana Tech Saturday in what could be a high-scoring affair. The Razorbacks crowd will get a look at a new backfield, but an experienced offensive line will help carry this team early and if someone can step up and carry the load, this could become a dangerous team. Both teams will score, but look for Arkansas to find the end zone just a bit more often in what will be one of the more entertaining games of the opening weekend.

Georgia is expected to Battle Tennessee for the East Division title, but the Bulldogs will have their hands full in the opener against North Carolina. The Tar Heels will likely have a freshmen quarterback leading the way, but have plenty of talent from a team that won 11 games last season. Look for the ‘Dawgs’ to have a full-on battle at the Georgia Dome, but a mistake from the youngster could be the difference, Georgia pulls this one out.

Kentucky should be much-improved in 2016 and will get to prove that this weekend when they host Southern Miss. The Wildcats will be good on offense, but will need to find away to slow down opposing offense, but the Golden Eagles won’t be the team to challenge them. Kentucky is favored by seven points, but look for a much-easier contest then the experts predict with a 14+ point victory to open the season.

Florida could be a surprise team in the conference, but nothing surprising about this weeks score as the Gators will romp against an under-manned U. Mass. squad with a blowout victory of 40 points or more.

Alabama opens the season on top of the polls and looking to win another NCAA Championship under head coach Nick Saban. The Tide open against a ranked USC squad in a battle of big programs with both teams breaking in a new quarterback. The Crimson Tide are deeper and more talented and that should show in the second half with ‘Bama pulling away late and winning by 10+ points.

Auburn plays host to Clemson and possibly the best quarterback in the nation, Deshaun Watson. While the Tigers will be improved on defense, they won’t have the firepower on offense to keep pace with the ACC favorites. This could be a fun football game to watch for those who like offense, but Clemson should prevail with a strong second half and win by 10+ points.

The best game could also be the last contest of the long weekend as Ole’ Miss will take on a tough Florida State squad. Both teams should be explosive on offense, but it will take a big play on defense to win this battle between two ranked teams. This contest is being played in Orlando and the Seminoles faithful should be the difference with the game being decided by a touchdown or less.

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