College Football 2011: Predicting the Outcome of Every SEC Heavyweight Bout
College football 2011 is shaping up to be one of the better seasons in recent memory, and with that in mind, we're looking at the biggest matchups of the year.
However, we're taking a focus on the SEC and all of the great matchups the conference has to offer us. We have the top 15 games to look forward to, with an early prediction on the winners and even a look forward to a possible championship game matchup.
If you have any thoughts, as always, leave them below. Who do you see winning the SEC?
South Carolina at Georgia: September 10th
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There's nothing quite like a big rivalry game to get this thing started.
The matchup between South Carolina and Georgia has been historically dominated by the Bulldogs. However, Steve Spurrier and company have been trying to change that over recent years, and this one should be a great early-season showdown.
In the end though, I like the Gamecocks to pull this one out.
Tennessee at Florida: September 17th
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Speaking of rivalries, this one used to be a lot bigger in the national scope of things.
However, these two programs are still heated rivals, and it's always fun to see Florida and Tennessee square off. Gators head coach Will Muschamp could get a big seal of approval if he pulls this one off in his first year.
Even with Muschamp coming in, I think the Gators find a way to win.
Alabama at Florida: October 1st
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Things will not get much easier for the Gators as less than a month after the Tennessee game, the Alabama Crimson Tide come to town.
Nick Saban got a lot out of his team the year after a national championship, especially considering he was rebuilding the defense and working younger players into starting roles. The Crimson Tide have high hopes for this year and Florida may be a work in progress.
Look for Alabama to go into The Swamp and get a win.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Florida at LSU: October 8th
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As if taking on Alabama the week before wasn't hard enough, the Florida Gators have to travel to LSU.
It's never easy to go on the road to LSU and come out with a victory, and it's hard to see that happening for the Gators. Florida will put up a fight, but in the end, Les Miles and company will be too much for the Gators to handle.
There should be a crazy atmosphere for that game.
Florida at Auburn: October 15th
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Okay, just to recap, Florida has three weeks of monster SEC competition.
The Gators have to play host to Alabama, go on the road to LSU and then hit the road again for Auburn. That is no easy stretch, and even though the Tigers don't have Cam Newton, there is still plenty of talent in place.
However, Florida will be battle-tested coming into this game, and I see the Gators pulling this one out.
Tennessee at Alabama: October 22nd
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Tennessee is very much a program in transition, and it's going to take time to reach the levels the Volunteers used to play at.
Alabama, on the other hand, is a team that has a championship pedigree in place and has the talent on the roster to make a very serious run at a national championship if the quarterback play can come together. Naturally, this doesn't bode well for the Volunteers.
Look for the Crimson Tide to take this one.
Auburn at LSU: October 22nd
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Auburn and LSU had an epic showdown last year and the Tigers will be looking for revenge.
Les Miles and company have arguably the best team in college football heading into next year, and Auburn has some question marks after losing two of its best players to the NFL draft. Even though Miles lives on the edge, he'll find a way to get a big win.
As it always is in the SEC, this should be a fun game to watch.
Florida vs. Georgia: October 29th
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Florida and Georgia is one of the more famous rivalries in the SEC, and it should be another fun game.
What puts this game over the top is the atmosphere around it, which is something that every college football fan should experience at some point. As far as the game goes, I really like Florida's team, and if Will Muschamp can get players in the right roles, the Gators could surprise people.
It won't be easy to take down a very game Georgia team, but I like the Gators.
LSU at Alabama: November 5th
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This could be the game that decides the SEC West.
LSU and Alabama are conference powerhouses and the Tigers are going to hit the road for this monster matchup between Nick Saban's current team and his former team, both of which he won a national championship with.
It's going to be a war between these two, but I like LSU to gut out the tough road win.
Alabama at Mississippi State: November 12th
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When you think about intriguing matchups next year, this certainly qualifies as one.
Mississippi State came on strong at the end of last year, and if the Bulldogs can carry the momentum from that run, they will be a hard team to beat next season. They will play host to Alabama, and even though it's nice to have them coming into your house, I don't see the Crimson Tide losing this game.
It should be a dandy of a contest though.
Auburn at Georgia: November 12th
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There are few things better in college football than watching a classic football rivalry in late fall.
Auburn and Georgia are not fond of each other. Furthermore, it's also a highly competitive rivalry and that's what makes this matchup so special. Year in and year out, you never know who is going to walk away with the victory.
But this year, I see Auburn getting a big win over the Bulldogs.
LSU at Ole Miss: November 19th
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Ole Miss isn't a power, but a matchup against LSU will always fire up the fans and the team.
These two teams used to share a big-time rivalry, but this matchup has declined in importance as other matchups in the SEC have taken more prominence in recent years. With that being said, it's still majorly important to both teams and that adds to the matchup.
As far as this game goes, LSU is the superior team and will show it on the field.
Alabama at Auburn: November 26th
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There are few games that stack up to the Iron Bowl.
The rivalry between these two sides has heated up in recent years, and it will be a matchup of the last two national champions. Of course, the whole Toomer's Corner saga has added an extra element to this matchup.
This will be a battle, but Alabama will get the monster victory at the end of the season.
Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State: November 26th
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This game may get overshadowed a bit by the Iron Bowl, but it's certainly a game worth watching.
Even though the two programs haven't had much major success recently, it's a great rivalry and the two sides are always fired up for this game. In the end though, Mississippi State is the better team and will prove it on the field.
Then again, you never know what can happen in a rivalry game.
Projected SEC Championship Game: South Carolina vs. LSU
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If we wanted to project this out further to an SEC Championship Game, at the moment, I like South Carolina out of the East and LSU out of the West.
I can see Florida making a run at the East crown, but with that tough stretch in the middle of the season, that may doom the Gators in terms of making it to the conference title game. LSU looks like the best team in the entire conference, and that should be evident once the teams take the field.
The Tigers will win this game and head to a BCS bowl matchup.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
