The SEC has added Texas and Oklahoma, making one of the best faculty soccer convention even stronger.
This season’s convention schedule options no less than 10 large video games, headlined by Georgia at Alabama on Sept. 28, however the SEC additionally has a formidable schedule of non-conference video games.
Listed here are the ten finest, ranked in inverse order (rankings from AP preseason ballot).
10. UCLA at No. 13 LSU | Sept. 21
UCLA’s first main street take a look at as a Massive Ten member shall be a visit to Baton Rogue. This assembly will mark the second recreation between the packages, with UCLA successful 38-27 on the Rose Bowl in 2021 within the final matchup. Head coach Brian Kelly is 20-7 in two seasons at Tigers coach.
9. No. 15 Tennessee at No. 24 North Carolina State | Sept. 7
Tennessee is coming off of a disappointing 9-4 season after an 11-2 report in 2022. Earlier than welcoming Florida and Alabama to Knoxville in weeks 6 and seven, the Volunteers will play the Wolfpack within the Duke’s Mayo Basic in Charlotte, N.C. The packages have performed towards one another 3 times, with Tennessee successful the final matchup in 2012. Quarterback Grayson McCall, working again Jordan Waters and receiver Kevin Concepcion shall be a significant take a look at for Tennessee’s protection.
8. Central Florida at Florida | Oct. 5
This matchup is all about bragging rights in north and central Florida. The Gators are the flagship program in that space, however Central Florida followers will not let UF followers neglect in regards to the Knights’ 29-17 win over Florida within the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl. Florida hasn’t had a successful report since 2020, when it went 8-4.
7. No. 19 Miami at Florida | Aug 31
Florida coach Billy Napier and Miami coach Mario Cristobal are getting into their third seasons at their colleges, and each are searching for an enormous 12 months after underwhelming of their first two seasons. Napier is 11-14 at Florida whereas Cristobal is 12-13 with the Hurricanes.
6. No. 5 Alabama at Wisconsin | Sept. 14
Alabama will open the Kalen DeBoer period with two non-conference video games in Tuscaloosa earlier than dealing with its first main street take a look at in Week 3 towards Wisconsin. This might fall into the class of a entice recreation for Alabama as a result of it hosts Georgia at Bryant-Denny Stadium per week later. HC Luke Fickell wants a signature win after a 7-6 report in his first season at Wisconsin.
5. No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M | Aug. 31
New Aggies head coach Mike Elko will open the season with Texas A&M’s first recreation towards Notre Dame for the reason that 2001 season. The Preventing Irish characteristic former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard, who rushed for 699 yards for the Blue Devils in 2022 earlier than accidents slowed him final season. A&M quarterback Conner Weigman, who accomplished 82 of 119 passes (68.9 p.c) final season, goals to make a powerful first impression within the opener.
4. Florida at No. 10 Florida State | Nov. 30
Florida State has gained the previous two video games on this in-state rivalry, together with an upset in Gainesville with out injured beginning QB Jordan Travis final season. The Seminoles nonetheless really feel the sting of rejection from the School Soccer Playoff committee for leaving them out of the postseason in 2023 regardless of a 13-0 report. Florida State certainly remembers the vicious late hit Florida’s Jaydon Hill placed on its QB, Tate Rodemaker (now with Southern Miss), late in final season’s recreation.
3. No. 13 LSU vs. No. 23 USC | Sept 1 (Las Vegas)
It is a recreation that’s made for the intense lights of Las Vegas. Kelly and USC coach Lincoln Riley are retooling their offenses for this showdown at Allegiant Stadium. Gone from LSU is 2023 Heisman Trophy-winning QB Jayden Daniels, who has been changed by Garrett Nussmeier. Miller Moss has changed 2022 Heisman winner Caleb Williams as USC QB.
2. No. 1 Georgia vs. No. 14 Clemson | Aug 31 (Atlanta)
Each packages have gained two nationwide championships up to now decade, however each are in several positions. Clemson is attempting to reestablish itself as a nationwide powerhouse, and beating the Bulldogs of their yard at Mercedes-Benz Stadium could be an effective way to do this. In 2021, the final time these groups performed one another, Georgia gained a defensive battle 10-3.
1. No. 4 Texas at No. 9 Michigan | Sept. 7
That is maybe the largest non-conference matchup of the 2024 season. Texas and Michigan reached the CFP final season, with Michigan successful the nationwide championship, and each needs to be within the combine for the expanded, 12-team CFP this season. The Longhorns are set with skilled Quinn Ewers at QB (23 video games), however Michigan has questions on the place after the departure of star J.J. McCarthy to the Minnesota Vikings. Will the Wolverines starter be Alex Orji, Davis Warren, Jack Tuttle or another person?
