re: New Coaches in the SEC - Week 1 Matchups

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Mark Stoops - Kentucky vs Western Kentucky
Stoops is known to be a defensive minded coach and the Cats should have a sizeable advantage when it comes to talent vs. talent. That said he faces the best offensive mind in CFB. Although UK wouldn't suffer the embarrassment of Arky last year against ULM, it would be a slap in the face knowing the schedule they face the rest of the year. Think its going to be a hard pill to swallow
WKU 24 UK 21

Butch Jones - Tennessee vs Austin Peay
Should be a nice little warmup for Jones. Not only is there talent at UT, but outside a few skill guys this is a veteran team that is tired of being a losing program. Lucky for Jones, AP is coming off 2-9 season and it doesn't appear things are going to change there.
UT 56 AP 10

Gus Malzahn - Auburn vs WSU
Though Gus isn't new to the SEC, this is only his second year as a HC and is having to rebuild Auburn from a miserable 2012 season where they went winless in the SEC. There is talent on this team but being an offensive program, do they have a QB that can come in NEW to SEC and not be a turnover machine like he was in JUCO. Defense should improve with EJ as Defensive Coordinator but will face another great offensive mind in "The Pirate". WSU played 17 true freshman last year but look for it to be a different season in 2013 with more players with experience in Leach's system.
Gonna be a close one...
WSU 35 Auburn 31

Bret Bielema - Arkansas vs The University of Lousiana
CBB is the most proven coach of the 4 coming into the league where he's held a 74% win rate in 92 games in the Big 10. Arkansas should be solid as long as they limit injuries, especially at the QB position. Many believe that it will be 3 yards and a cloud of dust but OC Jim Chaney is excited about the passing game with Allen and talented but unproven receivers. The running game should be a different animal under CBB. ULL potentially poses a problem coming off back to back 9 win season with a very good scrambling QB and a few players here in there that could be role players in the SEC.
ULL is probably the toughest oponent of the 4 but CBB comes in and makes a statement in his first game at Razorback Stadium.
Arky 42 ULL 17

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