Auburn Daily writers will complete their own Auburn versus Alabama A&M final score predictions on Friday. For now, here are the Week 1 final score predictions for the rest of the SEC football teams. To get there, a few thoughts about big games and trends impacting final scores.
Saturday’s Georgia versus Clemson matchup inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium should be fantastic. It’s also a chance for Kirby Smart and his team to reestablish their dominance after losing to Alabama in the 2023 SEC championship game.
Can Missouri go from being the hunter to the hunted? Teams will take notice of the Tigers this year and Eli Drinkwitz’s squad needs to be as focused as ever.
Tennessee quarterback Nico Iamaleava is as talented as any player in the SEC. He’s still a first-year starter. How well does he operate Tennessee’s fast-paced offense?
Mike Elko returns to Texas A&M to face off against a talented Notre Dame team, especially its defense. The Aggies also possess a talented defense, with the defensive line potentially being the nation's best. This will be a major challenge for both football teams and could be the weekend’s best game to watch.
If Billy Napier wants off the hot seat, he needs to help his Florida Gators knock off the Miami Hurricanes. It’s inside The Swamp so UF has the crowd advantage. How well the two quarterbacks perform – Cam Ward for The U and Graham Mertz for the Gators – will go a long way in determining the winner.
Finishing off Week 1 is the LSU versus Southern California game in Las Vegas. Which teams showcases a quality defense? Neither team did last season. While the top two picks in the 2024 NFL Draft come from Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels , both teams are still quite talented on offense. Even one really good defensive play could determine the game’s winning team. Now a look at some college football trends before the score predictions.
Going by the Georgia Tech versus Florida State game in which each team had seven possessions, the helmet communication slows games down. Coaches are adjusting; players are as well.
Coaches cut off at the 15-second mark of the play clock. With the new way for coaches to give plays to their quarterbacks, perhaps there will be less no-huddle in college football this season.
Then again, that’s only one game. A person could also believe the trend relinquishes after coaches and players are more comfortable with the new communication. Another reminder is also needed.
It’s the first full weekend of college football. The positions that often start the slowest are offensive line and quarterback. They are as much about chemistry with teammates as talent.
Therefore, in any given college football game finishing as an offensive disappointment, there’s a good chance one or both of those positions struggled. It’s the nature of college football.
The combination of the above statements is also why many of the following predicted final scores are a bit lower than other people might expect. Let’s see how it all shakes out.
SEC Predictions
Thursday, Aug. 29
Arkansas 45 Arkansas Pine-Bluff 10
Missouri 49 Missouri State 7
Friday, Aug. 30
Oklahoma 34 Temple 13
Saturday, Aug. 31
Georgia 27 Clemson 17
Virginia Tech 41 Vanderbilt 13
Tennessee 52 Chattanooga 6
Texas 38 Colorado State 17
Miami 24 Florida 20
South Carolina 41 Old Dominion 10
Mississippi State 45 Eastern Kentucky 7
Alabama 41 Western Kentucky 14
Ole Miss 45 Furman 10
Texas A&M 23 Notre Dame 21
Kentucky 38 Southern Miss 7
Sunday, Sep. 1
LSU 38 Southern California 31
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