SEC Game of the Week 9/26

Summer is officially over.

If you’re reading this from the southeast, or specifically Atlanta, GA - the weather has turned, fall is in the air, and most importantly - the SEC returns to action on the football field this weekend.

Starved for action, fans were expecting marquee matchups to kick off this COVID-shortened, 10-game, conference only schedule.

Does the opening slate leave a bit to be desired? Sure.

At this point, we will take anything.

The SEC on CBS is featuring the defending National Champion LSU Tigers, who host Mississippi State and their new Head Coach Mike Leach, at 3:30pm on Saturday.

I am here to tell you that this is not the game of the week.

(23) Kentucky on the road at (8) Auburn? This Top-25 matchup will be great, but falls short of my choice.

This Saturday, (16) Tennessee heads to Columbia, South Carolina to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks at 7:30pmET on SEC Network.

This my friends, is your game of the week.

There are high hopes on Rocky Top as HC Jeremy Pruitt navigated the stormiest seas in 2019 after an abysmal start to their season. The Vols won 6 games in a row to end last year’s campaign. Cade Mays, a 5-star transfer OL from UGA, has been granted his waiver to play in 2020, adding to an already rock-solid unit. Pruitt’s defense will be stout, which is to be expected in his 3rd season in Knoxville. OC Jim Chaney loves to open up the playbook when the run-game is humming, as it should be behind their highly touted OL.

But…BUT…Jarrett Guarantano is still their starting QB - halting most of the optimism with the realization that momentum can go haywire at a moments notice with JG at the helm.

South Carolina welcomes in new offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, with the expectation to buy HC Will Muschamp some more time in Columbia. Collin Hill has been named the starting QB - a transfer from Colorado State who came along with Mike Bobo. The offense should surely see signs of progression throughout 2020, but Tennessee’s defense will present a tough test. South Carolina will look to frustrate Jarrett Guarantano, which he very well may take care of himself.

Why is this the game of the week? I feel these two teams are the most evenly matched in Week 1. Both programs NEED this win to fuel their 2020 outlook.

Everyone’s favorite football coach, Coach Letterman, summed up the fanbases ahead of this matchup perfectly.

SEC Network. 7:30pm primetime. Must win situations on both sides in Week 1.

(16) Tennessee at South Carolina is my pick for the SEC’s game of the week.