We made it. Week 1, you finally arrived and not a moment too soon. Sure, you might lack depth, but don’t let anyone scoff at you.
To me, you are perfect.
Much like “Love Actually,” Week 1 in the SEC feels like we’ve got a bunch of different storylines going on that could wind up all being connected. We’ve got a host of new starting quarterbacks, we’ve got six new head coaches, and we’ve even got old players from the NFL in new places! Or at least as of this writing, that’s possible.
It’s also possible that I accurately predict every single correct score for Week 1. Is it unlikely? I suppose so. Will I still give it the old college try like these former NFL players are doing? You bet.
Here’s a score prediction for every SEC game in a perfect (in my eyes) Week 1 slate:
No. 25 Mizzou 56, Arkansas Pine-Bluff 14
We know that Ahmad Hardy will be out in Week 1 as he works his way back from the leg injury that he suffered when he was tragically shot at a concert in the summer. That won’t matter, though. Jamal Roberts will keep things moving, and a talented offensive line will push around the FCS foe en route to a lopsided victory in the newly renovated Faurot Field.
No. 10 Oklahoma 49, UTEP 3
Imagine being an offense without an identity but being forced to figure that out against a Brent Venables defense on the road. Now realize that UTEP will get a seven-figure paycheck to do just that. Something tells me that won’t go well, and we’ll see at least one defensive touchdown for the Sooners. A slow offensive start for Oklahoma — remember that Michigan awaits — turns into a laugher after newcomer Trell Harris breaks free for a long touchdown catch and run.
No. 13 Alabama 35, East Carolina 13
I’m not sure if you heard, but it’s going to be a bit toasty in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. What does that mean? Like, besides Kalen DeBoer is expected to sweat buckets in his traditional black hoodie? Well, Keelon Russell has the ability to make the ECU defense quit by extending plays and getting this new-look Alabama offense some juice. The run game will still be an issue against an ECU squad that won nine games last year, but EJ Crowell flashes in his debut, and the Bryant-Denny faithful go home hot and happy.
South Carolina 30, Kent State 14
Look. I know that Kent State was outscored 172-24 in its three games vs. Power Conference foes last year. It also was a vastly improved team in the latter half of the season, and Matt Carney did a whale of a job to get that program to five wins. On a day in which the Gamecocks will be breaking in a new offense and doing so without high-priced left tackle addition Jacarrius Peak, we could see LaNorris Sellers be a bit more touch-and-go than expected. And without Dylan Stewart to rush the passer in Week 1, South Carolina’s defense might struggle to get off the field at times. But the result will never be in doubt.
Kentucky 42, Youngstown State 21
The over/under for this game is a whopping 62.5 points (via FanDuel). That’s one of the highest numbers of the entire Week 1 slate, which probably says something about the questions that Kentucky’s defense is facing under new coach Will Stein. I wouldn’t expect it to feel like a true back-and-forth shootout, but don’t be surprised if UK needs to keep its foot on the gas against an FCS foe. On a positive note, that gives Kenny Minchey some extra time to develop a rapport with the Wildcat skill players in his first career start.
No. 3 Georgia 55, Tennessee State 7
Surely Georgia fans won’t be yelling at Mike Bobo as fans are dripping sweat late in the second quarter while the Dawgs cling to a 10-0 lead. That won’t happen … right? It could. Also, UGA will still win by a billion, and a versatile rushing attack will do the heavy lifting. Eventually, the new-look group of pass-catchers will step up, and Talyn Taylor will make good on the fall camp buzz with a highlight-reel touchdown grab that puts an exclamation point on a lopsided victory.
No. 5 Texas 38, Texas State 21
Do I think Arch Manning will have a better season-opening performance than he had a year ago? Uh, yes. That’s not saying much. Texas State at home is a touch different than Ohio State on the road. But ahead of the Ohio State game, perhaps those Texas starters stay in the game a bit longer than expected against G.J. Kinne’s squad. Instead of the Will Muschamp defense starting off with a statement, it lacks the killer instinct, and a 10-point game entering the fourth quarter has folks on the Forty Acres on edge. But a three-possession victory still allows Texas to avoid repeating the 0-1 start from last year.
No. 20 Tennessee 69, Furman 3
That’s the exact score that Tennessee won by when Nico Iamaleava made his first start of the 2024 season. History repeats itself as Faizon Brandon takes his first snaps on Rocky Top. He gets massive throwing windows to work with, and Tennessee’s offensive line creates running lanes galore for DeSean Bishop & Co. Brandon becomes the first SEC true freshman quarterback to win a Week 1 start in the 2020s.
Auburn 34, Baylor 17 (in Atlanta)
It’s odd to think that the biggest expected weakness in this game is a Dave Aranda-coached defense. That’s been an issue the last few years in Waco, and it’ll be an issue when a veteran Auburn offense looks the part in Atlanta. Byrum Brown will take a page out of the 2025 Jackson Arnold playbook and run all over the Baylor defense. Unlike Arnold, though, a win against Baylor won’t be the high point of Brown’s season. Alex Golesh wins his Auburn debut by doubling up DJ Lagway in his Baylor debut.
Arkansas 45, North Alabama 17
Ryan Silverfield’s Arkansas debut will lack intrigue, but it’ll be an important first step in establishing this balanced offensive identity. KJ Jackson and Sutton Smith will spearhead an offense that has plenty to prove in 2026. We’ll see some cracks in the defensive foundation against an FCS foe, but not enough for this game to be competitive in the second half. Silverfield is on the board.
No. 8 Texas A&M 42, Missouri State 10
It’s a first-time head coach who’ll face a squad that won 11 games last year en route to the Playoff. That’s no disrespect to Casey Woods, but let’s be honest. Even if the offensive play-calling isn’t in midseason form yet, A&M should have a major advantage in the trenches. That’ll fuel the Rueben Owens II-led rushing attack early and often. Marcel Reed settles in and looks comfortable in the more spread-out, up-tempo offense. A&M gets out of the opener unscathed.
Vanderbilt 45, Austin Peay 24
Imagine spending three years backing up Diego Pavia, watching him never miss a start at Vandy and then finally getting your opportunity. That’s reality for Blaze Berlowitz, who was surprisingly named the starter over true freshman Jared Curtis. Berlowitz is entering Year 4 in Tim Beck’s offense, so I expect him to come out and play on schedule. As for the Vandy defense, let’s just say that Clark Lea will have plenty of teachable moments in the film room after a sloppy debut.
No. 11 LSU 24, Clemson 21
For all the heat that Week 1 will take for lacking headliner matchups, this one is worth building your Saturday around. We’ve got Lane Kiffin’s debut, which has been overshadowed by this NFL player drama. We’ve got Dabo Swinney chirping LSU and rolling out a new offense that’s led by … Chad Morris? Yeah, that’s the good stuff. This game will be sloppier than a toddler at a crawfish boil. But fortunately for LSU on this Louisiana Saturday night, it’s Clemson that looks more disoriented. The visiting Tigers can’t quite find their offensive footing when it counts and get swept in the battle for the real Death Valley.
Mississippi State 35, Louisiana-Monroe 7
I don’t know how many times Kamario Taylor will be on the winning side in 2026. That early schedule is daunting. But against Louisiana-Monroe, we’re going to see why so many people are enamored with the Bulldogs’ starting quarterback. His skill set is an ideal fit in the Jeff Lebby offense, which should take flight in Week 1. Taylor does it with his arm and his legs in a blowout opener.
Florida 49, FAU 13
Jadan Baugh is facing an FAU defense that was bottom-five in FBS in scoring defense in 2025, and it was No. 126 in FBS against the run with a tie for the most rushing touchdowns allowed (35) in America. Uh, need I say more? OK, I will. Buster Faulkner would be wise to let Aaron Philo play relatively deep in this game to get on the same page with his new receivers. Jon Sumrall’s squad shouldn’t have any issues dominating in his debut.
No. 9 Ole Miss 28, No. 24 Louisville 24 (in Nashville)
Jeff Brohm has five victories against top-10 teams during his nine seasons as a Power Conference head coach, which is no small feat when you consider that he earned those wins at Purdue and Louisville. So can he earn another? It’s certainly possible, especially if Ole Miss hasn’t improved its tackling issues ahead of this matchup against decorated tailback Isaac Brown. But just as we saw in 2025 when Ole Miss had its best season of the post-integration era, it’s the ultimate advantage to have Trinidad Chambliss when the bullets are flying. Chambliss leads a comeback victory in Nashville and reminds the world that he’s still special without Kiffin.
