It’s back, it’s really and truly time for college football.
And whether you’re the degenerate catch-every-second hardcore fan or a casual viewer, here’s your rundown on what’s on and what you can’t afford to miss in SEC Week 1.
As always, we’re organizing by how important the game is from 1 to 5 stars. Here’s your game plan for Thursday-Sunday in the SEC.
Snooze-fests (1-star games)
These are the games you can fall asleep to:
Arkansas-Pine Bluff at Missouri (SEC Network, Thursday, 8 p.m. ET)
Well, it’s played on Thursday. That’s pretty much the case for this one. The Golden Lions had a logo I used to like on the old NCAA Football games in the early 2000s, but that’s about the only thing to be said for them.
Tennessee State at Georgia (SEC Network+, Saturday, 3 p.m. ET)
With one of the largest point spreads of a pretty uncompetitive week, Georgia‘s got a snoozer to open.
Missouri State at Texas A&M (ESPN, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
Why ESPN is airing FBS/FCS game with a point spread of -40.5 is beyond comprehension. The Texas A&M Aggies will be interesting this season — but not in Week 1.
A bit compelling (2-star games)
Not the best the weekend has to offer, but mildly intriguing:
UTEP at Oklahoma (SEC Network+, Friday, 8 p.m. ET)
Being played on Friday gets this one a second star, but if you’ve got an intriguing high school game, it might be the better call. John Mateer back in something near health should be interesting, but not worth rearranging your Friday night.
Kent State at South Carolina (SEC Network, Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET)
Shane Beamer‘s first game during a season on the brink isn’t exactly a riveting matchup, but LaNorris Sellers will add enough sizzle to keep this out of snoozer range.
Furman at Tennessee (SEC Network+, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)
The Vols escape the 1-star basement because of freshman QB Faizon Brandon. How well he adapts to the college game will likely determine if Tennessee is a contender or a pretender.
Texas State at Texas (ESPN, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)
At least it’s an FBS opponent and Arch Manning can start his career resurrection season in style. Texas is one of the more polarizing SEC teams and seeing how the Longhorns open is worth keeping an eye on.
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Prediction Markets College Football Playoff champion? Learn more about Prediction Markets Kalshi Notre Dame 13% Ohio St. 12% Texas 12% Oregon 11% Georgia 10% Indiana 9% Miami (FL) 8% LSU 6% Texas Tech 4% Texas A&M 3% PredictAustin Peay at Vanderbilt (SEC Network+, Saturday, 7 p.m. ET)
The most exciting back-up QB in college football is the story here. Exactly how long Jared Curtis will be QB2 is probably more interesting than the game itself.
UL-Monroe at Mississippi State (ESPNU, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
This one gains a few points for being relatively competitive, as UL-Monroe can pull off the occasional upset (ask Alabama fans with long memories).
FAU at Florida (SEC Network, Saturday, 7:45 p.m. ET)
The beginning of the Jon Sumrall era is the first chance to determine if Florida is back, sort of back, or still in the outhouse of the SEC. The expectation here is somewhere between the first 2 options.
Now we’re listening (3-star games)
If you’ve got nothing else going on, relax and check these games out:
East Carolina at Alabama (ABC, Saturday, Noon ET)
The Alabama Crimson Tide can begin the season with a massive chip on their collective shoulder and East Carolina is more intriguing than most Week 1 gimme games. The QB situation is yet another reason worth watching this one.
Youngstown State at Kentucky (SEC Network+, Saturday, 1 p.m. ET)
The Penguins are a good FCS team and Kentucky is an unknown under new head coach Will Stein. Could be interesting because the Stein Air Raid bears watching or because YSU hangs around for a while.
Break out the guacamole (4-star games)
Invite some friends over to watch these matchups:
Baylor vs. Auburn (ABC/Disney+, Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET)
Plenty on the line here, as Dave Aranda could be facing a warming seat in Waco while new Auburn coach Alex Golesh needs to make an early statement if his Tigers are going to be a bowl team in 2026. If it was certain that either team was particularly good, this would be a five-star game, but the guess here is it’ll be a little rough-and-tumble.
Block off the time, turn off the phone, pop the popcorn (5-star games)
You’re not going to want to miss a single second of these matchups:
Clemson at LSU (ABC, Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
Who-ee! A lot going on here. The team (maybe) playing pros vs. the guy who didn’t even like the transfer portal. SEC/ACC, the most polarizing first-year head coach in college football against a guy once believed a master who could be under a hot seat. Pick your story, but wild horses shouldn’t keep you away from LSU vs. Clemson in the Battle for Death Valley, Part II.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss (ABC, Sunday, 7:30 p.m. ET)
A top 25 matchup that again pits the SEC against the ACC. Lane Kiffin’s former team begins the tour of moving on, and it’s played on Sunday night. What’s not to love?
If you’re looking for one game…
Well, look for 2. Those 2 5-star games are on different nights, so use the holiday weekend to squeeze both in. You’ll thank me.
Under-the-radar
A sleeper for a good game?
Kentucky is the team perhaps most likely to suffer a massive upset or to make a convincing statement about life after Mark Stoops. Either way, that’s a random watch that could be more interesting than most of the 40-point beatings to be administered.
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