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The 2021 NCAA and SEC football season week one is here and there are two big games with National implications starting things off! Yes, many SEC teams are opening with games against smaller teams with not too many chances for upsets.
But Alabama and Georgia seem to want to get some answers out of the way quickly to set their hopeful marches to a National Title up early. Let’s start with Two Big SEC Games to Watch and all of the SEC odds courtesy of Intertops.
Biggest SEC Games to Bet on for CFB Week 1
Georgia vs. Clemson Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. on ABC
Georgia +3 (+100) vs. Clemson -3 (-120)
Georgia is taking on cross-border opponent Clemson but the two teams are playing each other in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium on ABC. Both teams hope to be in the mix this year for a National Title and, amazingly, they have this big of a game scheduled so early in the season. Clemson may not be the force that they have been in years past but they should not have back-peddled too much. Georgia comes into the game after a summer of question marks due to injuries and transfers. Look for some shuffles on the offensive line during the season. The good news for Georgia is a returning QB (JT Daniels) and what looks to be a solid running game. Clemson is set with D.J. Uiagalelei at QB which should be exciting to watch. Plus, they have some strong receivers and what looks to be another strong offensive line.
Alabama vs. Miami Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
Alabama -18.5 (-105) vs. Miami (FL) +18.5 (-115)
Alabama is heading to Atlanta to take on Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. This game will be aired on ABC with Miami being the home team of record. Miami enters as an underdog with Alabama coming into the game with Bryce Young, a sophomore from California, just named this week as the starting QB. Coach Nick Saban has been high on him over the last several weeks so this is not too much of a surprise. Miami ended last season with two losses against ranked teams. This year Miami has Graduate quarterback D’Eriq King starting as their QB after returning from a knee injury. The Hurricanes don’t seem to be a walkover on paper but oddsmakers are pointing to a possible ‘Bama beatdown.
SEC Football Week 1 Predictions
Here are the rest of the games in the SEC starting with Tennessee opening on Thursday night. The majority of SEC teams are opening at home.
Bowling Green vs. Tennessee Week 1 Preview
When: Thursday, September 2nd at 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network
Bowling Green +34 (-105) vs. Tennessee -34 (-115)
Tennessee is coming off of yet another coaching change and much of their team hitting the transfer portal after last season. They are a huge favorite – but traditionally the Vols seem to struggle with lesser foes. Maybe that mindset has been changed.
UL-Monroe vs. Kentucky Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 12:00 p.m. on SEC Network
UL-Monroe +29.5 (-110) vs. Kentucky +29.5 (-110)
Kentucky should be able to roll over UL-Monroe if everything clicks. However, Sunbelt Conference teams love the spoiler role. Kentucky has some holes on defense and Monroe was winless last season.
Rice vs. Arkansas Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 2:00 p.m. on SEC Network/ESPN+
Rice +19.5 (-105) vs. Arkansas -19.5 (-115)
The Rice vs Arkansas game could be closer than expected but Arkansas should be able to put things away after the half. Arkansas has more depth than rice with their second year under Coach Pittman. The positive note for Rice is that the team has many returning veterans.
Central Michigan vs. Missouri Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 4:00 p.m. on SEC Network
Central Michigan +13.5 (-110) vs. Missouri -13.5 (-110)
Look for the Central Michigan Chippewas to make Missouri earn a win. Mizzo comes in as the favorite but this is one game that may offer up a chance for an upset. The Chippewas have speed and some size but are not as deep as an SEC team.
Louisiana Tech vs. Mississippi State Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 4:00 p.m. on ESPNU
Louisiana Tech +23 (-110) vs. Mississippi State -23 (-110)
It will be interesting to see how the Miss State Bulldogs have developed under year two of Coach Mike Leach. Last year they opened with a win over LSU and played hard on defense all season long.
Akron vs. Auburn Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. on SEC Network/ESPN+
Akron +37.5 (-120) vs. Auburn -37.5 (-100)
Time for football on the Plains of Alabama – under a new head coach. While this should be a cakewalk for the Tigers – they have a reputation that’s similar to Tennessee. They let teams they should beat stick around much too long.
E Illinois vs. South Carolina Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 7:00 p.m. on SEC Network/ESPN+
NOTE: As of this writing, there were no odds available. South Carolina has a strong passing game that should earn them a win this weekend.
Florida Atlantic vs. Florida Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network
Florida Atlantic +24.5 (-115) vs. Florida -24.5 (-105)
There is nothing like an in-state foe to start off the season. Florida should make easy work of the FAU Owls. If FAU has a chance it will be trying to take advantage of Florida mistakes which helped give the Gators three losses in a row to end their season last year.
Kent State vs. Texas A&M Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4th at 8:00 p.m. on ESPNU
Kent State +29 (-110) vs. Texas A&M -29 (-110)
While Texas A&M should win this game they will have to fight it out. Last year Kent State scored almost 50 points a game with a faced pace offense that wore defenses down. Will that work against the Aggies? Probably not due to SEC depth – but Texas A&M may still have a few defensive questions.
ETSU vs. Vanderbilt Week 1 Preview
When: Saturday, September 4 at 8:00 p.m. on SEC Network/ESPN+
NOTE: As of this writing, there were no odds available. Vanderbilt is under the reins of a new head coach after last year’s winless slide. Sarah Fuller has graduated so the ‘Dores have lost their famed female kicker.
When: Saturday, September 4th at 8:30 p.m. on SEC Network/ESPN+
LSU -3 (-115) vs. UCLA +3 (-105)
LSU is traveling to play UCLA as their home opener. The Tigers and Bruins are swapping time as the favorite with LSU hanging on as a 3 point favorite on the road. LSU will have to play hard and fast against a UCLA team that’s loaded with talent.
Louisville vs. Ole Miss Week 1 Preview
When: Monday, September 6th at 8 p.m. on ESPN
Louisville +9.5 (-110) vs. Ole Miss -9.5 (-110)
With the NFL taking a week off between their preseason and the regular season you can get your Monday Night pigskin fix courtesy of Ole Miss and Louisville. This is not the same Cardinal’s team of years past and they may walk into an offensive buzzsaw courtesy of Lane Kiffin who returns to the SEC as the head coach for Ole Miss.
