SEC Unfiltered: Picking the top SEC games in September
Welcome to SEC Unfiltered, the USA TODAY NETWORK's newsletter on SEC sports. Look for this newsletter in your inbox every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Today, Knoxville News Sentinel columnist John Adams takes over:
The most meaningful games of this SEC football season will be played in October and November. But September won't be solely about padding won-loss records against overmatched nonconference opponents.
Here are my picks for the most important conference games in September:
Kentucky at Florida, Sept. 10.
Coach Mark Stoops already has had two 10-win seasons at Kentucky. Not bad for a basketball school.
That success raises the question: Have the Wildcats peaked, or can they challenge Georgia for an SEC East title?
Winning in The Swamp would be a step in the right direction. Kentucky has won there just once since 1979. And although it has won two of the last four games in the series, it lost 31 consecutive games to the Gators from 1987 through 2017.
The game could be even more important to Florida and first-year coach Billy Napier, who will open the season against top-10 Utah. Imagine the uproar in Gainesville if he loses his first two games.
My pick: Florida by 3.
A lack of quality depth could be Florida’s greatest shortcoming and will likely lead to another second-half-of-the-season slide. But in Game 2, the Gators should have the wherewithal to continue their dominance of Kentucky in the Swamp.
South Carolina at Arkansas, Sept. 10.
The Razorbacks have won five of their past six games, which included a convincing bowl victory over Penn State. Couple that with a significant number of returning starters and you can understand why Arkansas is a preseason top-25 pick.
South Carolina also has momentum after soundly beating North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and thriving in the transfer portal, which provided Oklahoma quarterback Spencer Rattler among others.
My pick: Arkansas by 5.
Georgia vs. South Carolina, Sept. 17.
Georgia’s defending national champions are an overwhelming favorite to win the SEC East despite losing 15 players to the NFL draft. But this early-season game against the Gamecocks at Williams-Brice Stadium will be much tougher than last season’s score would indicate: Georgia 40, South Carolina 13.
The Gamecocks could have the most improved offense in the SEC. If their offensive line can hold up against Georgia’s defensive front, the outcome will be in doubt in the fourth quarter.
My pick: Georgia by 10.
Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 24.
The Vols have had as much trouble with the Gators as the Wildcats have. They have lost 16 of the past 17 games in the series.
With tougher games to follow against Alabama and LSU (in Baton Rouge), this could be a must-win for Tennessee if it hopes to improve on last season’s 7-6 record.
UT could lead the SEC in scoring, but its defense remains a concern. However, Florida might not have enough playmakers to capitalize on Tennessee’s defensive shortcomings.
My pick: Tennessee by 13.
Texas A&M vs. Arkansas, Sept. 24: Before the Aggies can seriously consider challenging Alabama for an SEC West title, they need to get past the Hogs, who held Texas A&M to 272 yards in a convincing 20-10 victory last season.
Fortunately for the Aggies, Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks has moved on to the NFL. He had six catches for 167 yards in last season’s matchup.
The Aggies’ No. 1-ranked recruiting class could have an immediate impact on their depth chart. They also should benefit from improved quarterbacking.
My pick: Texas A&M by 4.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: SEC Unfiltered: Here are the top league September football games
