SEC Predictions 2011: Top 5 SEC Conference Games to Watch in 2011

As the season approaches, the SEC gears up for another year in the trenches. With eight SEC teams in the preseason USA Today Coaches Poll, every program's goal is to make it to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game. 

Looking ahead, these five games will go a long way in determining who will be headed to the Georgia Dome in December.

No. 5: Arkansas at LSU

This matchup is not until the last week of the season, so there are several scenarios for the magnitude of this game. 

If one of these teams beats Alabama and comes into the game undefeated or with even one loss, the game would almost certainly send that team to the SEC Championship Game with a win. 

If both these teams beat Alabama and come into the game undefeated or with one loss in the SEC, this game would punch a ticket to Atlanta for the winner. 

Of course, should Alabama beat Arkansas and LSU, this game likely would not affect the outcome of the West.

No. 4: Florida at South Carolina or Georgia vs Florida

Continuing with some speculation, the winner of the Week 2 matchup between South Carolina and Georgia will affect which game will have the most impact on the SEC East. 

The East is pretty wide open this year and UF could be the sleeper to come out of the division. While there are several question marks in Gainseville, there are still a lot of athletes on the Gators who will make them tough. 

Look for new offensive coordinator Charlie Weis to design a pro-style offense for highly recruited QB John Brantley to have more success with than the departed Urban Meyer's spread offense. Facing Florida will be very important for the victor of the South Carolina/Georgia game for an inside track to the SEC Championship Game berth.

No. 3: Arkansas at Alabama

This could be a huge game for Arkansas. To knock off Alabama at home would most likely allow Arkansas to control their own destiny in the SEC West and make the season finale at LSU huge. 

That said, the Tide should take this game at home. Losing running back Knile Davis hurts Arkansas a lot. Defensively, the Tide should smother Arkansas and let their experienced offensive line and hard running Trent Richardson control the tempo of the game, and ultimately outlast the Razorbacks.

No. 2: South Carolina at Georgia

This early-season game will put the winner in the driver’s seat to win the SEC East. 

South Carolina returns RB Marcus Lattimore and WR Alshon Jeffrey, both looking to pick up where they left off last year—red hot. But the Gamecocks should have their hands full heading into a hostile Sanford Stadium against the SEC’s best QB, Aaron Murray, and what should be a much improved 3-4 defense in its second year under coordinator Todd Grantham.

No. 1: LSU at Alabama

The SEC West is stacked this year. It's going to be very hard to run the table for any team, but the winner of this game will have the best chance of accomplishing this feat and put that team in the driver's seat to win the West. 

Give Alabama the edge being at home, but this should be an exciting game. An improved Jordan Jefferson is surrounded with playmakers and should test the Tide's vaunted defense. Also, a quick LSU defense should put a lot of pressure on a first-year QB, and Alabama will have to rely heavily on Trent Richardson to put some points on the board. 

For LSU, the road to Atlanta literally and figuratively runs straight through Tuscaloosa.