College football season is here! It is appropriate that the SEC, winners of six straight national titles, starts the season off on an ESPN Thursday night game.
Here is a look at some of this week’s SEC/ACC games:
South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday night): The Gamecocks are the stronger team with tailback Marcus Lattimore, if he is totally healthy. Yet Vanderbilt has one of the better running games in the league with Zac Stacy and Warren Norman. If Vanderbilt wants to keep coach James Franklin, then it needs to sell out its 40,000 seat stadium when a top team such as South Carolina comes calling.
Texas A&M vs. Louisiana Tech in Shreveport (originally on Thursday): This game has been wisely postponed until Oct. 13 which is an open date for both A&M and La Tech. The Aggies will now play 12 straight weeks after opening the season with Florida on Sept. 8.
Tennessee vs. N. C. State in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta (Friday): This is a big game for the Vols after an offseason of hot seat talk for coach Derek Dooley. The pivotal matchup is Vols quarterback Tyler Bray against a Wolfpack secondary that’s led by Lindy’s preseason All-American defensive back David Amerson. Another big question to ask: Can the Vols run the ball behind an offensive line with over 100 starts?
Alabama vs. Michigan in Dallas: The Tide is the better team along the line of scrimmage. Michigan’s Denard Robinson will provide some athletic plays, but Alabama has been scheming for him since the spring. Michigan starting tailback Fitz Toussaint, who ran into trouble with the law, will likely play despite coach Brady Hoke saying he has not made up his mind on reinstatement. Wolverine receiver Roy Roundtree has recovered from having his knee scoped Aug. 10.
Arkansas hosts Jacksonville State: The Hogs in a route. Keep an eye out for improvement in the Arkansas defense. Former Georgia running back Washaun Ealey is the top tailback at Jacksonville State. Jacksonville State coach Jack Crowe returns to Arkansas where he was fired as the Razorback coach after he lost to The Citadel.
Auburn vs. Clemson in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff in Atlanta: Clemson moved at will on Auburn last year in its win. Coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers must compensate for the suspension of receiver Sammy Watkins while Auburn must overcome the suspension of starting center Reese Dismukes. Auburn really needs to win this game with games at Mississippi State and home contests with LSU and Arkansas coming up. A 1-4 start would be difficult for coach Gene Chizik.
Mississippi State hosts Jackson State: This will be an easy win, but the Bulldogs need to get on the field after having to disassociate from an athletic booster because of “impermissible contact” with a prospective student-athlete and concerns of an NCAA investigation dealing with players who have Memphis ties.
Georgia hosts Buffalo: Reasons to watch are to find out who is suspended in the Georgia secondary and to see which freshman tailback does the best job between Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.
Florida hosts Bowling Green: A less than full Swamp would be a disappointment. All eyes will be on quarterbacks Jeff Driskell and Jacoby Brissett. Someone in an average group of receivers must step up. Florida needs momentum next week as they travel to Texas A&M. The Aggies being off this week helps Florida. No, the Gators won’t have tape on the Aggies, but having played a game compared to your opponent not playing a game is huge.
Kentucky at Louisville (Sunday): The Wildcats desperately need a win over their archrivals. Louisville is the better team partly because Cardinals quarterback Teddy Bridgewater will out-duel Wildcat quarterback Maxwell Smith.
Miami at Boston College: The extremely young Canes are looking to end B.C.’s two-game winning streak in the series. They need solid play from quarterback Stephen Morris. Boston College must find a way to replace running back Montel Harris who went to Temple after being dismissed from the team.
Florida State hosts Murray State: This would be a better basketball game. The Noles just need to stay healthy and get some confidence in the running game. It will be fun to watch the freshmen such as defensive back Ronald Darby.
Georgia Tech at Virginia Tech (Monday Night): Nod here to Virginia Tech because Bud Foster’s defense has had all summer to scheme against the Georgia Tech option attack. Yellow Jacket defensive coordinator Al Groh needs to see more production out of his group.
Brent Beaird writes for www.lindyssports.com , Gator Bait magazine and collegefootballnotebook.com. He can be heard on 1010XL sports radio in Jacksonville, Florida. Brent can be contacted at [email protected] and on twitter @brentbeaird