ESPN Writers Pick "Must-See" SEC Game This Season

by Staff Reporter

August 16, 20241 Comments

Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN reporters Chris Low and Mark Schlabach published their SEC preview this week and picked five "Must-See" conference games in 2024:

quote:
Tennessee at Oklahoma, Sept. 21: It's Oklahoma's SEC debut and a homecoming of sorts for Josh Heupel, who played quarterback for the Sooners and was the runner-up for the Heisman Trophy in 2000. But his exit as OU's offensive coordinator in 2014 wasn't his fondest memory as he was fired by Bob Stoops. Both teams have talented young quarterbacks in their first years as starters, Nico Iamaleava at Tennessee and Jackson Arnold at Oklahoma. It should be a wild atmosphere in Normanm with the winner making a major statement in the playoff chase.

Georgia at Alabama, Sept. 28: This will be only the fifth time in the past 20 years these SEC powerhouses have met in the regular season - five of their past six meetings have come in either the SEC championship game or CFP national championship game. Kalen DeBoer steps in for Nick Saban as Alabama's coach, which will be a huge storyline, and there's a chance this may be the first of multiple meetings between the schools with the playoff expanded to 12 teams.

Ole Miss at LSU, Oct. 12: The Rebels have flipped the script in the Magnolia Bowl under coach Lane Kiffin, winning two of the past three contests after losing the previous five. Last season, Ole Miss scored 21 points in the fourth quarter in a thrilling 55-49 victory. The teams combined for 1,343 yards of offense and 14 touchdowns. The Rebels haven't won in Baton Rouge since a 31-13 victory in 2008.

Georgia at Texas, Oct. 19: The Bulldogs will be making their first trip to Austin since a 13-8 loss Sept. 20, 1958. It might be the first of multiple meetings between the projected top-five teams this season - if they're as good as advertised. Texas has a 4-1 record in the series, including a 28-21 win in the Sugar Bowl on New Year's Day 2019.

Texas at Texas A&M, Nov. 30: Finally, we get to see these teams go back at it after last playing in 2011. Fierce rivalries are what college football is all about, and it doesn't get any fiercer than the Longhorns and Aggies. Texas A&M hasn't beaten Texas in College Station since 2007, so Kyle Field will be ready for this one.