2012 SEC Football Schedule: Breaking Down the Top 5 Elite Matchups

The 2012 Southeastern Conference football schedule has officially been released. 

There wasn't a ton of surprises, but the addition of the Texas A&M Aggies and the Missouri Tigers has fans excited for a new-look SEC in 2012 and beyond. 

New rivalries will be formed, and old ones will be kept. The rotation of cross-division matchups took a hit, but that was expected because of the new teams. 

As the best conference in college football, the SEC will produce a number of excellent games in 2012. 

With that said, here's a breakdown and some super-early predictions on the top matchups for the 2012 SEC schedule. 

Auburn at Alabama

The 2012 Iron Bowl will be played on November 24, 2012, and it's going to be another fantastic game that will have an impact on the race for the SEC West title. 

The greatest rivalry in all of college football is always fun to watch, and next season will be no different. The Auburn Tigers will be better than they were this season, and since Alabama is losing some key players, it will be a more evenly-matched game. 

Both teams are sure to have strong recruiting classes, and by season's end, both could have some big-time impact freshman that determine who wins this game. 

If Trent Richardson returns, the Crimson Tide will be in good shape, but if he doesn't, look for Eddie Lacy to step up and be the main man for Alabama. 

Michael Dyer will be running wild for the Tigers, and it will definitely be interesting to see who Gene Chizik chooses as his quarterback. There's a chance that the opening day starter is different from the starter in the Iron Bowl. I think Kiehl Frazier will make great strides in 2012 to be the Tigers' top passer. 

With Gus Malzahn gone, the Tigers could be in for a rough time. I don't think that will happen because they have loads of talented players, but one thing is for sure: The 2012 season will be a true test for how good a coach Chizik really is. 

Super-Early Prediction: 

The Crimson Tide will still have a dominant defense under Nick Saban, and that will be the difference maker. 

Alabama 24, Auburn 17

Georgia vs. Florida

Formerly known as the "World's Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party," the annual Georgia-Florida game is always intense, and it will be played on October 27, 2012. 

It was a hard-fought battle this season, even thought the Gators weren't nearly as strong as they've been in recent years. It's a rivalry game, so both teams always come to play their hardest, which results in outstanding games. 

The Bulldogs are bringing back a very strong squad for 2012, led by Aaron Murray at quarterback. Landing Keith Marshall, the No. 1 running back recruit in the nation, was huge for the Bulldogs because now they have a legitimate backfield to go along with a great passing game. When Georgia has a well-balanced offense, it's a very dangerous team, especially with a top defense continuing to get better and better.

Florida, on the other hand, will be still be in a somewhat rebuilding mode. Jacoby Brissett and Jeff Driskel will be battling for the QB job, and losing Chris Rainey and Jeff Demps is a crushing blow. 

Will Muschamp will be in his second year as head coach, and it should be a better season for the Gators because the players will be better acquainted with his system and they're going to have a top recruiting class. It remains to be seen how much the loss of Charlie Weis will impact Florida. 

Super-Early Prediction:

This rivalry game will factor in to who wins the SEC East, and the Bulldogs are going to want it more. Plus, they're a more experienced team that will take care of business in a close battle. 

Georgia 30, Florida 24 

Alabama at LSU

Don't expect this to be hyped as another "Game of the Century." Still, this battle on November 3, 2012 will play a huge role into who wins the SEC West title. 

Both teams are losing top talent, but strong recruiting classes will keep LSU and Alabama at the top of the conference for a long time. 

The Tigers will be transitioning to a new quarterback, and it remains to be seen if it will be Zach Mettenberger, incoming freshman and highly-recruited Gunner Kiel, Jerrard Randall or Stephen Rivers. 

I think Mettenberger gets the nod, and he'll be performing at a high level all season long. LSU's defense may lose Morris Claiborne, but Tyrann Mathieu is back as well as a bunch of other superb playmakers. 

Alabama will still be a good team, but LSU will be the one garnering all the hype in 2012. Their defense is filled with sophomores who will only continue to get better as time goes on. 

Still, this will be a tough game because it will be hard to move the ball against either defense. 

Super-Early Prediction 

In what should be another night game, LSU will prevail. The Tigers are extremely good at home after the sun goes down, and the Crimson Tide will struggle to win in "Death Valley." 

LSU 27, Alabama 17

Georgia at South Carolina

Typically played in the second week of the season, the Bulldogs and the Gamecocks are switching it up and will face other on October 6, 2012, which will be the fourth conference game for each team. 

This matchup is always heated, and it will likely determine who wins the SEC East. South Carolina has the harder schedule, as the Gamecocks have to play LSU and Arkansas next year. 

Georgia, on the other hand, doesn't have to play either of those teams, nor does it have to play Alabama because the addition of Missouri took away that game. 

With the game being in the middle of the year, both teams will know a lot not only about their opponents, but also themselves by then. 

Marcus Lattimore will be back, and for the Gamecocks' sake he'll hopefully be healthy. Connor Shaw will get better during the offseason and as the year progresses, but if Alshon Jeffery opts to go to the NFL, it could be a huge blow for South Carolina. 

Super-Early Prediction: 

Since the game isn't early in the year, the Bulldogs will avoid their usual collapse-and-choke to actually beat the Gamecocks. Georgia's offense, led by Aaron Murray, will be the difference maker in this game. 

Georgia 38, South Carolina 34 

LSU at Arkansas

The Battle for the Golden Boot got out of hand this season, but the Razorbacks will be much improved and ready for revenge on November 24, 2012. 

This rivalry game is likely to determine who wins the SEC West title and plays in the SEC Championship game. 

The return of Knile Davis, along with the continued development of Tyler Wilson, makes the Razorbacks a very dangerous team in 2012. 

Of course, the Tigers' defense will be fully prepared for another intense rivalry game. However, if the Razorbacks land the No. 1 recruit in the country, 6'6", 220-pound wide receiver Dorial Green-Beckham, they'll once again have a potent offense that will be tough to beat. 

If the Razorbacks want to win, it all rests on the play of Wilson. He struggled against LSU this season, but if he's able to perform at a high level like we know he's capable of, then the Tigers could be in trouble. 

Super-Early Prediction: 

I give the edge to the Tigers, simply because their defense is going to be nasty next year. It'll be closer than the 2011 matchup, but Wilson won't have enough to get past LSU. 

LSU 33, Arkansas 28