SEC Television Schedule, Week 1

GAME OF THE WEEK

Georgia at Clemson, Saturday, 8:00 pm ET, ABC

I have a rule of thumb that a game that everyone pegs as a shootout is a game that probably won't be a shootout. I think I can lift it for this one. The offenses should put on a great show.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 29

North Carolina at South Carolina, 6:00 pm ET, ESPN

It's blast from the past night at Williams-Brice. The Gamecocks welcome an ACC foe from another life, while Steve Spurrier faces what was his biggest nemesis from when he was head coach at Duke.

Ole Miss at Vanderbilt, 9:15 pm ET, ESPN

It's a pivotal opener for both teams as the jockey for position within the league. They're both up-and-comers, but who has the edge this year?

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 1

Toledo at Florida, 12:21 pm ET, SEC Network

The Gators swore during camp that their passing game would look better, but with a diminished running game absent starting running back Matt Jones, will they get a chance to show it off?

Rice at Texas A&M, 1:00 pm ET, ESPN

It's the first of a couple old SWC matchups for the Aggies, who figure to really, and I mean really, pour it on in the second half. If the offense struggles without Johnny Manziel before halftime, how much will we hear about reducing his number of carries the rest of the year?

Mississippi State vs. Oklahoma State, 3:30 pm ET, ABC

This game will tell us a bit about inter-conference strength, as a team in the SEC's middle tier meets up with one of the Big 12's best squads.

UL-Lafayette at Arkansas, 4:00 pm ET, FSN

The new look Razorbacks go up against a team that is better than a Sun Belt team probably should be. This one won't be a walk in the park.

Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, 5:30 pm ET, ESPN

If you haven't been paying attention to things outside the SEC, you might think this will be a good one. However, VT is not what you think of when you think of VT anymore. If this is anything but another Bama blowout in Atlanta, it'll be big news.

Austin Peay at Tennessee, 6:00 pm ET, PPV

The Vols really ease into the Butch Jones era with this one.

Washington State at Auburn, 7:00 pm ET, ESPNU

A rare Pac-12/SEC matchup brings together two offensive masterminds with Mike Leach and Gus Malzahn. Auburn has an enormous talent advantage though, so the Tigers will be in trouble if they have too much trouble here.

Kentucky vs. Western Kentucky, 7:00 pm ET, ESPNews

We'll find out if the team that's supposed to be SEC actually is, for one week at least.

Murray State at Missouri, 7:00 pm ET, PPV

The Tigers get back on their feet with an easy opener.

LSU vs. TCU, 9:00 pm ET, ESPN

We'll learn a lot about the revamped LSU offense under Cam Cameron in this one. TCU has the best defense in the Big 12 and won't be a pushover by any stretch.