Eight Days From SEC Football! - Part I

The final eight days prior to SEC football kicking off, that’s what the calendar states.

All the big plays, excited SEC fans rooting for their teams, the mascots, cheerleaders, and tailgates, each aspect of the South’s favorite pastime is almost here.

To help SEC football fans get ready, here’s a look at the games with storylines, including the big matchup pitting Georgia against Clemson inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

All times are EST, go in chronological order, and rankings are from the AP Poll .

August 29

AR-Pinebluff at Arkansas, 7:30 PM, ESPN

For Arkansas to bounce back and be an effective team this season, the offense must improve. Boise State quarterback transfer Taylen Green will likely be the man behind center for Game 1 but there is competition and work to be done according to offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino via the Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette .

From last week’s scrimmage in which the top two quarterbacks threw two interceptions each, “I walked off the field not very happy, feeling like we didn't do as well as we needed to, and we didn't," Petrino said. "But we did start out quickly with the first group, we did move the ball, we came back, had a 70-yard touchdown pass, went and moved it again, got down there to score again, kicked a field goal.”

Murray State at #11 Missouri, 8:00 PM, SEC Network

Can Missouri now be the hunter instead of the hunted? Noting CFB Stats , The Tigers come off an 11-2 season in which its scoring average includes 32.5 points per contest. The offense should be good again with quarterback Brady Cook coming back from a 2023 campaign with 244 completions from 369 attempts, a 66.1% mark, 21 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions, plus All-American candidate Luther Burden returning for his junior and likely last season of college football before entering the NFL Draft.

The Tigers lose five defenders to the NFL Draft including the 27th pick overall in defensive tackle Darius Robinson to the Arizona Cardinals. How well the defense replaces the talent will be on full display versus Missouri State.

August 30

Temple at #16 Oklahoma, 7:00 PM, ESPN

This should be a game OU wins. It’s also the first time the Sooners play a college football game as a member of the SEC. Brent Venables and his Sooners have a revamped defense with key defenders coming into the mix like TCU defensive tackle transfer Damonic Williams, one of the most highly Transfer Portal players.

The biggest question for OU fans will still be the new quarterback, sophomore Jackson Arnold. It’s not easy being a true sophomore and starting for Oklahoma. Will he be ready?

August 31

#14 Clemson versus #1 Georgia, 11:00 AM, ABC

With Georgia being left out of the 2023 College Football Playoff, expect a focused group of Bulldogs led by Kirby Smart. Also motivated after its first season with fewer than 10 wins since 2010, Clemson’s Dabo Swinney leads his Tigers against an old SEC rival.

The biggest question mark in this game should probably be how well Cade Klubnik plays for the Tigers. He made too many critical errors last season as a sophomore. Many of those in the red zone like the games against Duke, Florida State, and Miami, each game a loss for Clemson.

As for UGA, quarterback Carson Beck is a Heisman Trophy frontrunner and playing with a loaded group at each skill position, plus an ultra-talented offensive line. No doubt, the UGA defense will be loaded with multiple All-American candidates of its own like edge Mykel Williams, linebacker Smael Mondon, Jr., and safety Malaki Starks. Clemson needs to come out firing or the Dawgs will be difficult to knock off.

Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt, 12:00 PM, ESPN

After a disastrous 2023 campaign, Vanderbilt needs to make some noise against an upstart Virginia Tech team led by junior quarterback Kyron Drones. The schedule will not be easy for Vandy as usual, so it needs to pull the upset.

Chattanooga at #15 Tennessee, 12:45 PM, SEC Network

It’s time to see Nico Iamaleava take the lead of the Vols’ offense. The sophomore signal-caller has the physical traits to be a great player but will he be ready for the limelight?

UT’s defense has defensive end James Pearce, Jr. returning. He could be the top pick in the 2025 NFL Draft.

Part II will be up later today at Auburn Daily .