Let's discuss each of the SEC first week games. Here is my take on each game along with predictions.
First game of the year:
South Carolina @ NC State, Thursday night ESPN game.
Both teams have been down for the past several years. I admit to knowing nothing about NC State, other than the Tarhills have been kicking there butt in recruiting since Butch Davis got there. I like USC with the returning QB and Spurrier at the helm. I think it will be a close game down to the end.
USC 21 NC St 17
Charleston Southern @ Florida
I think everyone will agree that the Gators will put at least 50 on the board in this one. Tebow and first team will probably only play the first quarter. GS may not get over 150 total yards of O!!
UF 56 GS 0
Georgia @ Okie St.
We will all learn a lot about first time starter, senior Joe Cox in this game. The UGA D better have it strapped up. I am not overly optimistic about the Dawgs in this match up. I think UGA will be able to score on Okie St, but they will have to put up probably 35+ to win it. Of course, in games expected to be shoot out often turn out to be low scoring. Okie St. offense is too good and I think it will be similar to the Ole Miss/TTU bowl game last year, but I think Okie St. comes out on top.
UGA 24 OSU 34
Miami (OH) @ Kentucky
Miami(OH) is not a team to take lightly for the Wildcats. The Wildcats have some playmakers back on offense that I think will lead them to a victory pulling away in late 3rd Quarter. Miami(OH) will keep it close in the first half.
Miami(OH) 13 UK 27
Western Kentucky @ UT
The Kiffin lead Vols get to showcase and prove to their fans they are ready to play. I am one that actually thinks UT will have a good team this year, if they can keep the running game going and reduce/eliminate mistakes by the QB.
WKU 10 UT 31
Western Carolina @ Vandy
Vandy is hoping to continue the success of last year and it shows in the Vandy fans here around Nashville. I think Vandy rolls on WCU showing the athleticism at the WR spot.
WCU 13 Vandy 34
Alabama vs. VT
I think this is gonna be a fantastic football game. VT is hurting with the starting RB out, bama's starting RB is out. VT returns Taylor at QB, while Bama's McElroy gets thrown onto the big stage his first ever start. Both teams will have great defensive units. This one will come down to which team can establish a running game. Both have high expectations for this season as they eye conference championships and BCS dreams, and this game will help spring board toward that if they continued it thru out the season. Hokies and Tide fans need to remember losing early doesn't hurt.
Bama 13 VT 17
Missouri St @ Arky
The Razorbacks return a lot of young talent from a 2008 squad that kept getting better. Petrino has his offense fully installed and now with an SEC caliber QB to run it in Mallet, they could be a spoiler in the SEC. Hawgs roll
MSU 6 Arky 45
LA Tech @ AUBURN
I have to say I feel more comfortable with a healthy Chris Todd at QB ONLY b/c of his experience and leadership. I think AU is going to be better than most everyone thinks. There is a lot of athletes at the skill positions. The key for the Tigers success is staying injury free on the OL and at LB. I think this one will start out close, but the Tigers should pull it out with wearing out the running game.
LA Tech 17 AU 30
LSU @ Washington
LSU opens on the west coast with a match up with PAC10 bottom dweller Huskies. I don't think this one is close at all, with LSU embarrassing the Huskey faithful.
LSU 38 UW 10
Ole Miss @ Memphis
Ole Miss is going to be out to prove the hype and starts out with a romp of the Memphis Tigers. Rebels run it up.
Ole Miss 45 Memphis 6
JSU @ MSU
Could be tough opener for MSU as JSU is not bad. I think Perillioux is QB there now. MSU with Mullen leading the team will run it out to a win just b/c of depth and SEC caliber players. Look for it to be a little to close in the first half, but runs away with it in the end.
JSU 16 MSU 31