Auburn has a 93.5% chance to beat UMass on Saturday

Alabama has a big showdown looming next week in Tuscaloosa when the Texas Longhorns pay a visit. However, this week’s game against Middle Tennessee State will allow the Crimson Tide to work on their game, plus give the starting quarterback (whoever he is) time to adjust before taking on Texas’ defense.

KJ Jefferson and Rocket Sanders return to Arkansas’ offense this season and should put on a clinic this Saturday against the Catamounts. The only frustration that Arkansas fans should have in this game is dealing with the fact that the game will be played in Little Rock.

The Gators kick off the weekend by visiting Utah on Thursday night for what will be just their third trip out of state for a nonconference game since 1991. Florida stunned Utah last season in the Swamp, 29-26, but both teams would take different paths to bowl season. Florida will have a challenge stopping Cam Rising at his house.

The Bulldogs have taken criticism due to the strength of their schedule (thanks, SEC for ruining the matchup with Oklahoma). But they will have a chance to build depth by playing an FCS opponent in week one.

This weekend kicks off a brutal stretch for Ball State, as they open the season with two SEC teams, beginning this Saturday with Kentucky. This should be an easy win for the Wildcats, and it will be a great chance for Devin Leary to impress his new fanbase.

This game headlines the season-opening weekend in the SEC, as LSU looks to get revenge on Florida State. Last season’s game was a classic, 24-23. Both teams have College Football Playoff dreams, and this game will add an important item to the winners resume.

Times are changing for Mississippi State, and this Saturday’s game with Southeastern Louisiana will be a great chance for Zach Arnett to display his new system ahead of next week’s game against Arizona.

This should be an easy one for Missouri, who will have two weeks to prepare to Kansas State. Missouri is going with Brady Cook to start the season at quarterback, but this may be an opportunity for Sam Horn and Jake Garcia to get work in as well.

Ole Miss, at the time of this post, has not named a starting quarterback yet. Could this be an audition for Jaxson Dart, Walker Howard, and Spencer Sanders? Kiffin will need to name a lead guy by the time the Rebels travel to Tulane in week two.

College Gameday will be on site for this border battle at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Gamecocks surprised many last season by winning eight games, but they will be challenged by Tar Heels quarterback Drake Maye.

The Volunteers are ready to make another run at an SEC East championship, and should get off to a great start by knocking off Virginia to open the season. Expect Joe Milton to put on a show as Tennessee’s new starting quarterback.

This is a make-or-break season for Jimbo Fisher and the Texas A&M. The Aggies have missed a bowl game in two straight seasons, and finished 5-7 last season. A win over New Mexico would bring confidence into next week’s game at Miami.

The Commodores have the best record in the conference after defeating Hawaii last week, 35-28. Expect that to be the case for at least one more week as Vanderbilt plays host to Alabama A&M for one final tune-up before a trip to Wake Forest next week.