Most Important Games For The SEC Week 1

     Instead of doing a traditional Top 25 list, I figured I would rank the Top 8 games in order of importance to the SEC for week 1. This will be a list of games that will focus more on non-conference games and some games not involving any SEC teams at all. The reason for this list is to point out potential games that may later in the season have an impact on an SEC team making the College Football Playoff. Now this list will have more of a "big picture" feel to it early in the season, and become a little more focused throughout the year. Also, I decided to create this list because I have a feeling that most fans of SEC teams already know their respective teams schedule by heart but may need a rooting interest for times that their team isn't on the field. So without further ado, let's begin.


#8. Penn State @ UCF
     A win by UCF will help the non-conference schedule of Missouri while simultaneously bringing down the perception of the B1G. That sounds like a win-win situation to me. Add on top of that, this game is being played in Dublin, Ireland while a volcano erupts in nearby Iceland; this game has plenty of drama building already. But you'll have to wake up early to watch this game on Saturday with a 8:30  AM ET kickoff time. Game airs on ESPN2. UCF and Missouri face off Sept. 13th.

#7. Southern @ UL-Lafayette
     The Ragin' Cajuns of UL-Lafayette need to start the season off with a win. They go on the road to face both Ole Miss and Boise State in consecutive weeks starting Sept. 13th with Ole Miss. Southern @ UL-L kicks off at 7:00 pm ET on ESPN3.

#6. Wake Forest @ UL-Monroe
     If you're a fan of an SEC team, in particular LSU, Texas A&M, or Kentucky, you really want the Warhawks of UL-Monroe to win this game. Direct opponents strength of schedule implications here. This team has a real good chance of going to a bowl game at the end of this season, especially with a win against Wake Forest. Kick off is Thursday at 7:00 PM ET on ESPNU.

#5. Southern Miss @ Miss State
     Southern Miss is not a very good football team and Mississippi State should prove that Saturday 7:30 PM ET on the SEC Network. The fewer the blemishes on the SEC non-conference schedule the better.

#4. Utah State @ Tennessee
     Utah State has the potential to be a decent team this year. Chuckie Keeton could prove to be a good QB for Utah State, especially going up against some question marks on defense for Tennessee. This game might be a close one. Kickoff is Sunday 7:00 PM ET on the SEC Network.

#3. Boise State @ Ole Miss
     This is an important game for the obvious reasons. This game is on Thursday night, in prime time, on ESPN. Ole Miss really needs to win this game for the sake of the SEC's reputation.

#2. Clemson @ UGA
     This is a huge game for obvious reasons. Both these teams are ranked in every top 25 poll and deservedly so. A win here for UGA would be great for the Bulldogs as well as the SEC reputation. Kick off scheduled for Saturday 5:30 PM ET on ESPN.

#1. LSU vs Wisconsin
     See #2. This game edges out Clemson @ UGA only for the slightly higher average ranking of the teams. But these games are arguably interchangeable for #1 and #2. Kick off is scheduled for Saturday 9:00 PM ET on ESPN.


     There you have it. My top 8 games for week 1. If you think I missed any or you want to add to this list, let me know in the comments.