Here’s the docket for this week’s SEC games. My picks for Games of the Week are bolded.
All Times Central
Thursday, Aug. 28
N.C. State at South Carolina, 7 p.m., ESPN - The Gamecocks will be without last season’s leading rusher Mike Davis for the opener.
Vanderbilt at Miami (OH), 6:30 p.m., ESPNU - A year after Miami helped Vanderbilt out of a scheduling bind, the Commodores return the favor with a trip to Ohio.
Saturday, Aug. 30
No. 24 Alabama vs. No. 9 Clemson in Atlanta, 7 p.m., ABC - A Clemson coach’s joke has gotten out of hand.
Western Illinois at Arkansas, 6 p.m. - Bobby Petrino makes his Arkansas debut.
Louisiana-Monroe at No. 10 Auburn, 6 p.m. - The Tigers unveil a new spread offense.
Hawaii at No. 5 Florida, 11:30 a.m., Raycom - Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow makes his season debut, but the matchup lacks any hype without June Jones and his “system quarterback” comments on the opposing sideline.
Georgia Southern at No. 1 Georgia, 11:30 a.m., PPV - The Dogs start this year’s campaign as the nation’s top-ranked team. Can they hold on to it?
Appalachian State at No. 7 LSU, 4 p.m., ESPN - Appy State upset Michigan in last year’s season opener. Watch out LSU.
Memphis at Ole Miss, 6 p.m. - Houston Nutt makes his Ole Miss debut after moving from Arkansas in this border rivalry.
Mississippi State at Louisiana Tech, 5:45 p.m. - Can the Bulldogs make it another eight-win season? Or better?
Sunday, Aug. 31
Kentucky at Louisville, 2:30 p.m., ESPN - Nothing like Bluegrass football on a Sunday.
Monday, Sept. 1
No. 18 Tennessee at UCLA, 7 p.m., ESPN - This series dates back to the 1960s, Phillip Fulmer said. He loves the cross-country trips for recruiting and exposure purposes.
