Well well well, lookie what we have here.

If you’ve played before, welcome back. If you haven’t played before, welcome front. Here’s a quick refresher on the rules:

1. Each week you will pick an SEC team to win.
2. Games against FCS opponents are not eligible to be picked.
3. You may only pick each team once.
4. If your team loses, you are eliminated.

Questions?

This Week’s Games

NC State vs. South Carolina (Neutral Site game in Charlotte, NC)

NC State is a media sleeper pick to be quality this season, primarily because of their stout defensive front. Despite this, the Gamecocks are only 5 point dogs. This game will likely be a defensive slugfest, even if Cocky’s defense were bollocks in Muschamp’s first season in Columbia.

#11 Michigan vs. #17 Florida (Neutral Site game in Dallas, TX)

Michigan is wildly talented but young across the board. Florida isn’t naming a QB, probably because they don’t have one but McElwain thinks he’s displaying gamesmanship. Michigan are narrow favorites, which seems odd considering Florida lost most of their best defensive players and play a brand of offense that makes Cam Cameron’s aerial attack look explosive.

Kentucky @ Southern Miss

This seems like an absolutely wretched idea for a UK team that could really use another building block season in year five of Mark Stoops. They’ve shown steady improvement in his tenure, enough that some are even quietly picking them to surprise in the East. Realistically, the program just isn’t there yet. First year coach Jay Hopson’s inaugural season in Hattiesburg wasn’t a rousing success, but starting off the year knocking off an SEC foe would really get the ball rolling for him in 2017.

Appalachian State @ #15 Georgia

Appy State spent like three seasons as America’s sweetheart after springing a shocking upset in the Big House. But it’s been 10 years, the Mountaineers moved up a division and now have a hot new young coach, Scott Satterfield. Georgia is one of the most talented teams in the SEC but Kirby Smart’s first season in Athens proved rocky, as the Bulldogs struggled on offense while losing five in the regular season. Georgia are favorites to win the SEC East, but can they deliver?

South Alabama @ Ole Miss

South Alabama sprung an upset on Mississippi State in the opening weekend last season. They then limped their way to bowl eligibility, and lost in the bowl, finishing the season 6-7. Ole Miss hasn’t really been in the news much this offseason and not much is changed in Oxford.

Georgia Southern @ #12 Auburn

Georgia Southern won just five games last season after winning nine the year before. Willie Fritz and his triple option are gone and Tyson Summers is still finding his way there. Auburn will unveil yet another pre-season Heisman Trophy candidate QB, but this one might actually be for real. Kevin Steele is also a coach for Auburn.

Vanderbilt @ Middle Tennessee

In a rematch from last year, MTSU will look to put another beat down on Vandy. MTSU’s offense is explosive and dangerous. They romped Vandy... in Nashville... last year. Revenge for the Commodores? Vandy is in a position that a 6-7 season with a bowl beatdown loss is a step forward for the program.

#3 Florida State vs. #1 Alabama (Neutral Site Game in Atlanta, GA)

Widely considered two of the nation’s top teams for 2017, this is one helluva barn burner for opening weekend. FSU replaces Dalvin Cook and DeMarcus Walker but not much else. Alabama loses and replaces 5-stars like no one else. This should be a really competitive game. The Tide will be favorites in every game, but only a TD in this one.

BYU vs. #13 LSU (Neutral Site Game in Houston, TX New Orleans, LA)

BYU limped through their opener against FCS Portland State. Probably a half effort as they prepared for LSU, so I suspect to see a much better team on Saturday. LSU is pretty typical LSU: gobs of talent but this time with new coaches and a new offense! The line on this one is moving heavily to LSU. Could get ugly in the French Quarter.

Texas A&M @ UCLA

Under Sumlin, the Aggies start every season like a house of fire only to melt as the year wears on. Under Mora, UCLA is perpetually disappointing, despite bringing in more talent than the program has seen in recent years. This one will be in the Rose Bowl, which is awesome and the closest the Aggies will be to a New Year’s 6 game all year. UCLA is also a school with a football team.

WHO YA GOT?