Ranking the top ten non-conference games in the SEC for 2022-2023 season
The SEC has a variety of different and unique atmospheres that present some of the most intriguing games each and every year. Over the past few years, several of the teams from the league have had very action packed-games. Several of the games over the years that come to mind are Penn State-Auburn in Happy Valley, Clemson–Georgia in Charlotte, and Arkansas–Texas in Fayetteville. Of course, there are other games that could be mentioned. Those are just a few of the games that the conference has provided for the league thus far.
This season will also have some action-packed games as well. With numerous programs showing hope for the future, it will be interesting to see how each of them fair in their non-conference matchups. Today, we will preview the top ten non-conference matchups that SEC teams will have in the ’22-’23 season. Read along and see what you think about the league’s best non-conference games.
Missouri at Kansas State - September 10th
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It certainly won’t be the first time that the Tigers have made the trip to Manhattan. In 92 meetings, Missouri leads the series 60-32 against the Wildcats. This time though, the teams will be completely different from their last meeting in 2011. The Tigers are led by head coach Eliah Drinkwitz while the Wildcats will be led by head coach Chris Klieman. Missouri is looking to put its best foot forward this season and will need to do so against the Wildcats. It will be interesting to see who comes away victorious in the week two showdown.
Arkansas at BYU - October 15th
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If you noticed any difference, it is that the Razorbacks will make the trip to Provo, Utah, in week seven of the season to take on the BYU Cougars. The Cougars are an impressive mid-major football program that has seen a lot of success over the years. They finished last season with a 10-3 record. Arkansas will be put to the test a week after a matchup at Mississippi State. The Razorbacks could very well be put on upset alert if they aren’t prepared.
Florida State vs LSU - September 4th
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Although Florida State hasn’t had lasting success over the years, LSU will be put to the test early. After a poor finish to last season, first-year head coach Brian Kelly will look to turn things around in the Bayou. His first step for the Tigers to succeed is determining who the starting quarterback will be in week one when the Tigers travel to New Orleans to face the Seminoles. The ‘Noles are a formidable opponent and will likely give the Tigers everything they can handle. This game will either be a monumental splash to start the season or a devastating loss that may deplete the team’s hopes of showing improvements from a season ago.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh - September 10th
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The Volunteers welcomed the Panthers to Neyland Stadium a year ago. However, things weren’t so welcoming for the home Vols. In an offensive showdown, Pat Narduzzi’s squad outlasted Josh Heupel’s squad by a score of 41-34. In three meetings between the two teams, the Panthers are 3-0. However, the Rocky Top faithful have really high hopes for the team heading into this season. Potential first-rounder Hendon Hooker is set to return as well as a good nucleus of playmakers to surround him. It won’t be easy, though, as the Panthers are coming off of an ACC Championship victory a season ago. Their team likely won’t be the same without Heisman finalist Kenny Pickett moving on to the NFL, but they will be good enough to give the Vols a run for their money.
Cincinnati at Arkansas - September 3rd
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The matchup between the Razorbacks and Bearcats will be the first meeting between the two. Both teams had impressive seasons last year and will collide in week one of the season. It is sure to provide clarity as to how both teams will perform down the stretch. This game means a lot for both programs. The Razorbacks could get an early boost to their resume as the Bearcats could say the same. Head coach Sam Pittman has his team trending in the right direction, but that trend will be put to the test against the Bearcats who reached the College Football Playoff just a season ago. This game will go a long way for both programs.
Miami at Texas A&M - September 17th
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It won’t be the first time that Texas A&M head coach Jimbo Fisher has coached against the Hurricanes. Fisher was previously the head coach at Florida State and finished with a 7-1 record against Miami in his time with the Seminoles. The Aggies will welcome a Hurricanes team that is led by first-year head coach Mario Cristobal. It will be a week three matchup in which both teams will likely be undefeated up to this point. It will be both teams’ first true test of the season and is expected to be a pivotal game for both programs.
Utah at Florida - September 3rd
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In a rare sight, a PAC-12 school will be traveling East to take on an SEC school. In this case, the Utah Utes will be making the trip to Gainesville to take on the Florida Gators in week one of the season. The Gators are led by first-year head coach Billy Napier. Napier will have all eyes on him after a sub-par finish to the season for the Gators in 2021. The Utes are a program that really made a statement last season when they reached a New Year’s Six bowl game against Ohio State. This season, the Utes are projected to have an even better season. The Gators will certainly have their hands full in week one and many outsiders are intrigued with the matchup. It will be interesting to see how the Gators look in week one.
Penn State at Auburn - September 17th
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On the back side of a home-and-home, Penn State will travel to the Plains to take on Auburn. Last season, the two met and the Nittany Lions won by a score of 28-20. This season will be somewhat different for the two. Both teams lost several of their key players to either the draft or the transfer portal. There has also been coaching turnover at both schools. This matchup will be an early test for two teams that need to make a statement early. All eyes will be on this contest in the third week of September.
Oregon vs Georgia - September 3rd
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The Bulldogs and Ducks will meet in at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in Atlanta, Georgia on Labor Day weekend. It will be just the second time that the two teams have collided. Georgia won the first matchup between the two by a score of 27-16. Now, we will see who wins this matchup. Oregon is led by new head coach Dan Lanning, who was formerly the defensive coordinator at Georgia for the past three years. Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart has high hopes for his team, as they won the national title last season. It will be the first time that Smart sees Lanning across the field in Oregon colors. All eyes are on this matchup as the two teams will kick off the season against one another.
Alabama at Texas - September 10th
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The Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas Longhorns last collided in the 2010 BCS National Championship game. In the end, the Nick Saban-led squad was able to raise the prestigious trophy. Now, the Longhorns are looking to dismiss the past and make critics realize that they are back. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Steve Sarkisian is now the head coach at Texas and has high hopes for the program. They will certainly be put to the test when the Tide rolls into Austin to take on the Longhorns. All eyes will be on the Steve Sarkisian-Nick Saban matchup as it is likely one of many to come. The Longhorns are slated to join the SEC in the coming years.
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