NWADG College Football

24 COLLEGE FOOTBALL PREVIEW | 8.27.2023 10 MUST-SEE SEC GAMES TOP TEAMS READY TO BATTLE IT OUT e SEC is widely regarded as the best conference in college football, so it only stands to reason that the best conference would also have the most marquee matchups this season. Georgia opens the season ranked No. 1 and the Bulldogs are seeking their third consecutive national championship, albeit with new faces in key places. e Bulldogs must replace quarterback Stetson Bennett and a host of star defensive players who have moved on to the NFL. Alabama must replace quarterback Bryce Young, but make no mistake that the Crimson Tide are focused on bringing a championship trophy back to Tuscaloosa aer watching Georgia earn confetti showers each of the past two seasons. ere could easily be two dozen must- see games involving SEC teams this season, but here are 10 that we see as being just a little more spicy: 1. SOUTH CAROLINA VS. NORTH CAROLINA WHEN Sept. 2 WHERE Charlotte, NC KICKOFF 6:30 p.m. TV ABC is neutral-site clash will feature two of the country's top quarterbacks in South Carolina's Spencer Rattler and North Carolina's Drake Maye. Rattler transferred to South Carolina from Oklahoma and led the Gamecocks to an 8-5 mark in his first season, completing 264-of-399 passes for 4.026 yards and 18 touchdowns. Rattler still struggles with interceptions, throwing 12 picks last season, but he is capable of huge games, like the one against Tennessee last season when he went 30-of-37 for 438 yards and 6 touchdowns without an interception. Maye, the reigning ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, is on numerous watch lists this fall. e sophomore was 342- of-517 passing for 4,321 yards and 38 touchdowns, and rushed for 698 yards and seven scores. His completions, attempts and passing yardage are all school records. 2. LSU VS. FLORIDA STATE WHEN Sept. 3 WHERE Orlando, Fla. KICKOFF 6:30 p.m. TV ABC is early season top-10 matchup features two teams with visions of making the College Football Playoff. LSU enters the game ranked No. 5 and the Seminoles come in ranked No. 8 Florida State claimed a 24-23 win last season, but the Tigers rebounded to win 10 games in Brian Kelley's first season on the bayou, capped by a 63-7 waxing of Purdue in the Citrus Bowl. LSU. Jayden Daniels returns to lead the Tigers' offense. e senior quarterback was 266-of-388 passing for 2,913 yards and 17 touchdowns with just three interceptions in 2022. He rushed for 1,109 yards and 11 touchdowns. e Seminoles will lean on quarterback Jordan Travis and a ton of transfers (16 of 22 starters). Travis has passed for almost 6,000 career yards and 45 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,700 yards and 24 scores. 3. TEXAS AT ALABAMA WHEN Sept. 9 WHERE Tuscaloosa, Ala. KICKOFF 6 p.m. TV ESPN Alabama claimed a narrow 20-19 win last season in Austin. e Tide went on to post an 11-2 mark, but did not make the CFP. Texas finished 8-5 with all five losses by a touchdown or less. e Crimson Tide open the season ranked No. 4 in the first Associated Press poll, its lowest ranking to start a season since 2009. Ironically, that season Alabama defeated Texas for the national championship, the first of six for Nick Saban. Texas is just 13-12 under third-year coach Steve Sarkisian, but the Longhorns open the season No. 11 in the AP poll. Sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers leads an offense that is deep in playmakers with WRs Xavier Worthy and Jordan Whittington. 4. TENNESSEE AT FLORIDA WHEN Sept 16 WHERE Gainesville, Fla. KICKOFF 6 p.m. TV ESPN e Volunteers made huge strides in 2022 under third-year coach Josh Heupel, who is 18-8 and finished last season ranked No. 6. Tennessee opens the season at No. 12 in the first AP poll. Joe Milton III will lead the Vols' offense aer stepping into the starting role late last season. Milton was the MVP of the Orange Bowl as Tennessee topped Clemson 31-14. Florida will turn to Wisconsin transfer quarterback Graham Mertz to lead the offense. Mertz has passed for 5,400 career yards and 38 touchdowns with 26 interceptions. e Gators were 6-7 last season including a narrow 38-33 loss to the Vols. 5. ARKANSAS AT LSU WHEN Sept. 23 WHERE Baton Rouge, La. KICKOFF TBD TV TBD Harold Perkins Jr. was a one-man wrecking crew in this game last season in LSU's 13-10 win. Perkins earned national Defensive Player of the Week honors aer his 8 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 forced fumbles. While some might have scoffed that Perkins accomplished this against a backup quarterback, he was also sensational against Georgia in the SEC championship game with 10 tackles and a forced fumble. e Razorbacks are counting on a healthy KJ Jefferson at quarterback and one of the country's top backs in Rocket Sanders to power a potent offense. Sanders was second in the SEC in rushing last season with 1,443 yards and 10 touchdowns and added 28 catches for 271 yards. CHIP SOUZA HAWGS SPORTS NETWORK COLLEGE FOOTBALL P R E V I E W Eric Gregory | Arkansas Lineman File Photo

• Cover