Cody Thomason, assistant sports editor
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 20 USC Trojans
USC should be improved this season, but Alabama is still the defending National Champion. Alabama’s defense should have the edge in this one.
No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 22 North Carolina Tar Heels
Its a tough matchup for Georgia to start the Kirby Smart era. I expect Georgia to win a close victory, but this could go either way.
No. 4 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels
Usually, I’m pretty pessimistic when it comes to picking Ole Miss games. I’m going to give Chad Kelly and the Rebels the victory this time, but Florida State will be ready to play.
No. 5 LSU Tigers vs. Wisconsin Badgers
My prediction comes down to one player: Leonard Fournette. Wisconsin is always a quality team, but I expect a big debut for the Heisman candidate.
No. 2 Clemson Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers
Auburn had a rough season last year, and I do expect them to be improved this season. However, Clemson is returning some key players from their title run last season and should run away with this one.
No. 16 UCLA Bruins vs. Texas A&M Aggies
A lot of people think the Aggies are a great sleeper pick in the SEC this season. While that could be true, I think Josh Rosen and the Bruins will have the offense to win this one.
No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 15 Houston Cougars
Houston should have a good offense with dual-threat quarterback Greg Ward Jr. returning. Oklahoma’s offense should be even better with quarterback Baker Mayfield. Sooners have the edge here.
Brian Scott Rippee, sports editor
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 20 USC Trojans
Max Browne is making his first career start at quarterback for the Trojans against Nick Saban. Play hard, kid. Alabama wins big.
No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 22 North Carolina Tar Heels
This should be an interesting first chapter to the Kirby Smart era. This game will be close, but I think the Bulldogs escape with a win by a field goal.
No. 4 Florida State Seminoles vs. No. 11 Ole Miss Rebels
It’d be different if this game were in late October, but give me the quarterback experience and Ole Miss’ receivers in game one. The Noles are loaded with talent, especially defensively, but the Rebels win a tight one.
No. 5 LSU Tigers vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Wisconsin will make this closer than most think, but too much Leonard Fournette and LSU runs away with it in the 4th quarter.
No. 2 Clemson Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers
Clemson sees Auburn’s Sean White and raises them a DeShaun Watson. Auburn will be fired up early at home, but Clemson wins this convincingly
No. 16 UCLA Bruins vs. Texas A&M Aggies
I think the Aggies are the sleeper of the SEC. Some forget Trevor Knight helped beat Alabama in a Sugar Bowl and now he’s under center for Texas A&M. I think Jim Mora has done a fine job at UCLA but the Aggies win and make an early statement
No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 15 Houston Cougars
I can’t pick against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma, but Tom Herman is building a great program at Houston. Led by Greg Ward Jr., the Cougars win in a shootout.
Guest picker: Sparky Reardon, former Ole Miss dean of students
No. 1 Alabama Crimson Tide vs. No. 20 USC Trojans
Five stars vs. movie stars. Lynyrd Skynyrd vs. The Grateful Dead. Grits vs. Granola. Alabama wins.
No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs vs. No. 22 North Carolina Tar Heels
We’ll find out how smart Kirby really is. I think the Heels take this one.
No. 4 Florida State Seminoles vs. 11 No. Ole Miss Rebels
It’s time. Rebels win.
No. 5 LSU Tigers vs. Wisconsin Badgers
Boudin vs. Bratwurst. Abita vs. Ole Milwaukee. Cheese heads vs. Coon, nah not going to go there. LSU wins.
No. 2 Clemson Tigers vs. Auburn Tigers
Gotta love a coach with a name like “Dabo.” Clemson wins.
No. 16 UCLA Bruins vs. Texas A&M Aggies
Aggies could play with a thirteenth man and it wouldn’t help. UCLA wins.
No. 3 Oklahoma Sooners vs. No. 15 Houston Cougars
I had a cougar after me last week; she was 92. I’m taking the Sooners.
