Week 1 - SEC Preview

I have often told people in the last few weeks that Labor Day is my favorite holiday. I think I need to clarify this. I do not hold this first Monday of September higher in my heart than Thanksgiving or Christmas, but as far as non-traditional holidays go, nothing can beat this particular three-day weekend (including my birthday). Not only do we contribute to the celebration of those who have pushed forward in defending our country's freedoms, but we also get to welcome back that old friend who you're always sad to see go in mid-January: college football.

Can you feel it? A week from now, I will be standing outside the camper surveying our lot as we look at improving our tailgating experiences from last year. Random playings of "War Eagle" will fill our ears and footballs will dance through the air into the awaiting arms of fathers, sons, brothers, friends alike. As Better than Ezra so aptly described this scene that has been filling my thoughts the past three weeks, we will soon be "feeling right this time of year."

While last season's opening weekend was filled with potential upsets, unless a repeat of Appalachian State's mammoth victory comes to fruition, not very many surprises litter the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivison's landscape. Two games that intrigue me are Mississippi State's visit to Louisiana Tech (more on that later) and East Carolina's matchup with Virginia Tech. It will not be an easy visit to Greenville for Frank Beamer and Co., and the game was much closer than it should have been last season (with VT winning off emotions, something that won't be there in a "hostile" environment this season).

The game of the week will be contested inside the Georgia Dome as former Southeastern Conference heavyweights Alabama and Clemson will try to get things started on the right foot for what both fanbases hope will be a great 2008 campaign. Glancing at depth charts and rosters, this game should not really be close. Clemson has more experience in almost every facet of the game - except coaching. Don't blink because this will be one of the few times that I give credence to Nick Saban's coaching abilities, but he will out-scheme, out-work and out-coach Tommy Bowden in Atlanta. Bowden has only been reliable at Clemson when his job has been on the line. Could 2008 be to him what 2004 was to Tommy Tuberville? Absolutely, but Tubs showed signs of progress in his program at Auburn much earlier than Bowden has at Clemson - not to mention Tubs' record against top-10 and top-5 opponents is nothing short of remarkable while Bowden's is...not.

Alabama will bust some big plays to put up short scoring drives, but this will be their downfall because Clemson will be able to control the clock and eventually wear down Bama's thin defensive front. It will not surprise me if the Tide pulls this one off, if for no other reason than Saban > Bowden. However, team cohesiveness usually wins in early games like this one, and I feel like Clemson has the bigger chip on its shoulder. Clemson prevails, barely, 31-28.

OTHER GAMES IN THE SEC:

N.C. State at South Carolina (Aug. 28): In the first of two-straight Thursday night games for Steve Spurrier's Gamecocks, Jasper Brinkley will return to the playing field after last being seen in USC's loss at LSU. His injury helped spur Carolina's spiral into oblivion in 2007, so you know that the folks in Columbia have been anxious to see him and Cocky return to their early 2007 form. O'Brien is a heck of a coach, and he left Boston College a year too early, allowing Matty Ice to find unprecedented success with another guy calling the plays. Can Spurrier survive not having control over the offensive game plan and has he really relinquished the play-calling duties to his son? This could be a dud but could also be one of those Thursday night classics talked about the rest of the year. South Carolina 24, NC State 20.

Vanderbilt at Miami (OH) (Aug. 28): Much like what I wrote in my forecast earlier this month, there's not very much to say about Vandy this year. They're not going to be good and will sometimes teeter on being awful. It's really too bad for Steve Martin lookalike Bobby Johnson, who is one of the best coaches in the conference. Miami 28, Vandy 10.

Hawai'i at Florida: Welcoming the Warriors back to the mainland will be the Gators, a team itching to erase the bad taste left in its mouth after crapping the bed against Michigan in Orlando on New Year's Day. While I don't agree with Kirk Herbstreit's pick of UF as the nation's best team, they'll look like it in this game. Tim Tebow will be able to call his shot against Hawai'i's defense and account for seven touchdowns by himself. Florida 51, Hawai'i 6.

Western Illinois at Arkansas: This will be one of the few bright spots in Bobby Petrino's debut season. Casey Dick will look like a Heisman contender, and that Smith kid will make Hog fans think that they won't miss Darren McFadden and Felix Jones. Arkansas 38, Western Illinois 3.

Georgia Southern at Georgia: Isn't there a clause in the contract somewhere that Georgia Southern is supposed to try to make this game as competitive as possible? I've heard of throwing in the towel but suspending eight for your matchup with the FBS' preseason No. 1 team is a bit much. Welcome back to college football, Bill Curry. Knowshon and Caleb King will score two touchdowns apiece. Georgia 48, Georgia Southern 0.

Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech: Why is a SEC school visiting a lower-tier WAC program? I've asked people this question all summer and all I get back as an answer is "money." Have any of these people seen the SEC's revenue share for this past season? Who is in charge of marketing and advertising at MSU that the revenue from a home game with EMCC is less than having to travel to Ruston, La.? It's an embarrassment, much like what State will narrowly avoid on the playing field against a decent Louisiana Tech team with one of college football's up-and-coming head coaches, Derrick Dooley. Don't worry, State fans. This is just the beginning of a scary season. Miss. State 21, Louisiana Tech 18.

Memphis at Ole Miss: Wanna know how Houston Nutt spells fun? I hear its "W-I-N"...The way this man has been accepted and rejected in the span of 12 months (by two similar fanbases in the SEC) is unbelievable. His debut comes against a team some are predicting will have a great shot at winning the Conference USA title. Jevan Snead has been looking forward to this night longer than anyone else that will don the red or blue jerseys, and I'm pretty sure he'll make good on his promise of being the Rebels' best signal-caller since Eli...at least against the Tigers. Ole Miss 28, Memphis 14.

Louisiana-Monroe at Auburn: Count me among the AU faithful that will stand and applaud the Warhawks as they enter the field from the northeast corner of Jordan-Hare Stadium. If nothing else, ULM has at least inspired the creativity at Tiger Rags for the game shirt. I'll go more in-depth with my pre-game analysis later this week with the Tailgate Plan, but I don't expect Auburn to show much more on offense than what was on display against Clemson on New Year's Eve. The Tigers should have a good start to what should be a pretty exciting, bordering on great, season. Auburn 41, Louisiana-Monroe 10.

Appalachian State at LSU: The Mountaineers now have an ESPY to go along with its three-straight national championships to help promote its program, but nothing could ever replicate the attention this small school has received since its upset of Michigan a year ago. The reward for all of this? A nationally-televised thrashing in Baton Rouge on a Saturday night. Gee thanks, right? It doesn't matter who quarterbacks LSU in this one because the only time it will be close is the opening kickoff. LSU 44, Appy State 3.

Kentucky at Louisville (Aug. 31): Where have you gone, Andre Woodson? At least UK will have Dicky Lyons, he being one of my favorite names in all of college football. I don't think either of these teams will be very good this year. Louisville wins on home-field advantage. Louisville 28, Kentucky 24.

Tennessee at UCLA (Sept. 1): This will be one of my few Monday nights that I will spend watching football. Tennessee is my pick for winning the East, and they will show that team to a national audience against a UCLA team that has had its share of bad luck in the preseason. The Vols will end a pretty good weekend for SEC teams with a big win over a Pac-10 school. Tennessee 24, UCLA 14.