Week One in the SEC

Just like last year I will be bringin you weekly projections for SEC games as well a key game per conference.

Today is the start of college football. I am heading down to Cincinnati to cover the "Rumble by the River".

Later tonight, I will post up a post game and some pictures of the game...it is supposed to be a big one up in Cincinnati.

Anyways here is what should happen around the SEC this weekend.

SEC WEEK 1
South Carolina @ N.C State- The Gamecocks kick off the college football weekend with a match up against a regional rival. N.C State is in a down year so South Carolina should have an edge….not too high on the Gamecocks this year, so this game should be close
WINNER- South Carolina…usc 7-3(W)

Charleston Southern @ FLORIDA(1)- The Gators begin defending their national championship against a school that might lose 100-0. It will be interesting to see just how many touchdowns Tim Tebow has to open the season in another Heisman hopeful year.
WINNER- Florida

GEORGIA (13) @ Oklahoma State (11) - Tough game for the Dawgs to open the season. I don’t see how a team that has to replace leaders at quarterback, running back, and receiver will play well enough to win in such a hostile environment this early in the season.
WINNER- Oklahoma State

Western Kentucky @ Tennessee- The Volunteers open the Lane Kiffin era with a game with the Hilltoppers. Should be a easy one for the Vols before next weeks revenge game verse UCLA. Keep an eye on how Jonathon Crompton plays, his progression will be key for the Volunteers success this season.
WINNER- Tennessee

Western Carolina @ Vanderbilt- The Commodores, off a bowl season host a team from the Southern Conference. The Dores should leave this game with a win and some confidence. All they can really hope for is confidence, next week they head to Baton Rouge.
WINNER- Vanderbilt

Kentucky @ Miami(OH)- The Wildcats head to Cincinnati in a game deemed; “The Rumble by the River.” Kentucky has won back to back opening games and holds the 2nd longest active streak for nonconference wins with 14. Look for the Cats to win handily over a Redhawk team that is in rebuilding mode with a new coach and a new system.
WINNER- Kentucky

Ole Miss(10) @ Memphis- Everyone will be gunning for the Rebels this year as they start the season with a non conference regional rivalry game @ Memphis. Look for Jevan Snead to have a strong first game as he looks to be in the Heisman race this coming season.
WINNER- OLE Miss

Alabama(5) vs Viginia Tech(7)- In the Chic Fila A opening game in held in Atlanta last year, the Crimson Tide upset a Clemson team which had their eyes set on a Nation Title run. This year the Tide will be the hunted and surprise no one. Virginia Tech grew up last year and now is one of the more veteran teams in the ACC. It will be hard for the Tide to replace two All Americans on the offensive line and their senior quarterback from a year ago so early….
WINNER- Virginia Tech

LSU(9) @ Washington- Traditionally LSU doesn’t like to travel to BCS conference schools in their non conference schedule. I am not sure if you can really count Washington a BCS school, as last year they went 0-12 and now have a new coach, new system, and start from ground zero. The Tigers enter this year with little hype….that will change as the season comes along.
WINNER- LSU

Missouri State @ Arkansas- The Razorbacks have some hope to return to bowl eligibility this season as they open the season with a tune up game against a Missouri Valley Conference team. Key thing to watch early is how strong the defense plays, they return 10 players from last years unit and should rise to be one of the top defenses in the SEC this year.
WINNER- Arkansas

Louisiana Tech @ Auburn- After the hiring, Gene Chizik was booed from the airport. In his opening game, he should be cheered as the Tigers open up with a very winnable and dominatable game. The Tigers have a new offensive system in place, and that should be an interesting thing to watch because last year their offense was TERRIBLE.
WINNER- Auburn

Jackson State @ Mississippi State- Two years removed from a bowl winning the season, the Bulldogs are starting over. Their opening game should be a nice win for their confidence.
WINNER- Mississippi State