SEC Football Predictions – Week 1
SEC football predictions for Week 1 of the 2016 season. The opening slate features several must-watch games, including Alabama vs. USC from AT&T Stadium.
SEC football predictions for Week 1 of the 2016 season. The opening slate features several must-watch games, including Alabama vs. USC from AT&T Stadium.
After claiming seven straight national titles and then falling short in 2013 and 2014, the SEC reclaimed its place atop the college football world with the Crimson Tide’s championship in 2015. Now the conference will get a chance to flex its muscles right of the gate.
Week 1 SEC Football Predictions
Appalachian State at Tennessee
Appalachian State will have some big moments, but Tennessee will be too strong at home to start the season.
Pick: Tennessee
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Appalachian State vs. Tennessee
South Carolina at Vanderbilt
It’s not going to be a pretty opener for either team. South Carolina will have more bumps in Will Muschamp’s first game, and the home field will be enough to give Vanderbilt a close win.
Pick: Vanderbilt
Game Preview & Score Prediction: South Carolina vs. Vanderbilt
South Alabama at Mississippi State
Welcome to the post-Dak Prescott era. Luckily for the Bulldogs, they face a manageable opponent in South Alabama in Week 1 and will walk away with an easy win.
Pick: Mississippi State
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Mississippi State vs. South Alabama
Missouri at West Virginia
The Tigers will travel east for a non-conference tilt with West Virginia in new head coach Barry Odom’s first game. Missouri will put up a great defensive effort, however the Mountaineers, led by quarterback Styler Howard, will do enough to get the win.
Pick: West Virginia
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Missouri vs. West Virginia
LSU vs. Wisconsin – Lambeau Field
Does it get better than LSU and Wisconsin at Lambeau Field? The Tigers and Badgers will put SEC/Big Ten bragging rights on the line Saturday afternoon in Green Bay. LSU will be too much for Wisconsin to handle, with Leonard Fournette breaking out for a monster game, reminding everyone why he’s the best running back in the nation.
Pick: LSU
Game Preview & Score Prediction: LSU vs. Wisconsin
UCLA at Texas A&M
Kevin Sumlin is on the hottest of hot seats entering this season. His gift for Week 1 of the football season? The UCLA Bruins. It won’t be easy, but the Aggies defense will come up with a big stop in crunch time, and the offense will do just enough to squeak by the Bruins.
Pick: Texas A&M
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Texas A&M vs. UCLA
Louisiana Tech at Arkansas
Louisiana Tech had one of the nation’s toughest run defenses in 2015. Even if that success translates over to 2016, don’t expect the Bulldogs to be able to stop Bret Bielema’s Hogs. Arkansas is going to run wild for a big win.
Pick: Arkansas
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Louisiana Tech vs. Arkansas
Georgia vs. North Carolina – Georgia Dome
This is one of the more intriguing matchups of opening weekend. Both teams have plenty of question marks, but could easily compete for their respective division titles if everything falls into place. Expect a nail biter, with North Carolina edging out Georgia in front of the pro-Bulldogs crowd.
Pick: North Carolina
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Georgia vs. North Carolina
UMass at Florida
Year 2 of the Jim McElwain era is upon the Gators. Florida will welcome UMass to The Swamp on Saturday for what’ll amount to an easy tune-up game. Gators rock and roll.
Pick: Florida
Game Preview & Score Prediction: UMass vs. Florida
Southern Miss at Kentucky
Southern Miss is going to put a scare into Kentucky, but the Wildcats will do just enough in the right moments to pull out an opening-weekend win.
Pick: Kentucky
Game Preview & Prediction: Kentucky vs. Southern Miss
Alabama vs. USC – AT&T Stadium
This is the showcase game of the weekend. Two of the nation’s most prestigious programs facing off in Jerryworld. USC has its moments, but Alabama wears down the Trojans in the fourth quarter.
Pick: Alabama
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Alabama vs. USC
Clemson at Auburn
The tale of two Tigers. Clemson is coming off a national championship appearance and is the preseason title favorite according to some folks. Auburn is looking for a bounce-back campaign after a subpar 2015 season. Deshaun Watson will prove too tricky to stop, as he leads Clemson to a statement win on the road in the season opener.
Pick: Clemson
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Auburn vs. Clemson
Ole Miss vs. Florida State – Camping World Stadium
The opening-weekend schedule is capped off with a juicy, non-conference matchup between Ole Miss and Florida State. It’ll be a back-and-forth affair, with Dalvin Cook putting the final dagger in the Rebels.
Pick: Florida State
Game Preview & Score Prediction: Ole Miss vs. FSU
