In some ways writing about Alabama is hard because there isn’t much to write that hasn’t already been written. Yes they are the two time defending national champs (3 in 4 years). Yes they have one of the best coaches in America (Nick Saban).
Finally we have some genuine action and not just talk. This border state battle is easily the best game of the first day of action as it pits two teams who though not favourites in either the SEC or ACC, are at least in the discussion of possible conference champs respectively.
There won’t be any love lost between the Utah Utes and Utah State Aggies when they open their schedules against one another for the first time since 2009. A staple of each program’s non-conference schedule, the Battle of the Brothers dates way back to 1892, with the Utes holding a 77-29-4 all-time edge in the series.
Florida state bragging rights will be on the line when the Florida State Atlantic Owls travel to Miami to take on the Hurricanes to open the 2013 college football season.
Things did not go swimmingly for Missouri in their first tour of the SEC last season as they dealt with injuries and poor performance overall. They were able to notch only two conference victories against the bottom of the SEC East, Tennessee and Kentucky.
It has been awhile since there was any reason to be excited about Kentucky football but with the hire of Mark Stoops as head coach they may have finally found someone who can get the program back to some level of sustained success.
South Carolina enjoyed another very good season last year, finishing 11-2 after a bowl win for the second year in a row. Even though coach Steve Spurrier is known as an offensive genius it is defense that leads this club and they are led by the most dynamic defensive player in the nation – Jadeveon Clowney.
Georgia has been very good over the last decade but never really able to break through in a big way. Maybe this year is the year they can, led by a senior QB captaining an offense that should be among the best in the conference and the nation.
Vanderbilt amazingly finished last season 9-4, the most wins they have had since 1915. The team finished on a 7 game winning streak and it was a very exciting season in Nashville.
There was a lot of criticism of the Florida Gators last year for struggling against some weaker teams on their but they finished 11-2 including a win against Texas A&M and Johnny Manziel. The success was primarily thanks to a top 5 defense as the Gators haven’t really been able to get their offense on track since QB Tim Tebow graduated.
For the third time in the past decade Tennessee is trying to regroup with a new coach. I like the hire of Butch Jones who did good things at Central Michigan and Cincinnati but I think he might have been wise to stay out of the SEC if he wants to have the kind of success he is used to.
San Jose State’s football program had just two winning seasons between 1993 and 2011, but Mike Macintyre did an amazing job getting this team going in the past couple years. The Spartans had a tremendous 11-2 season that was one for the ages last year.
2011’s 5-7 record didn’t feel right, and neither did a rough start to 2012, but Keenan Reynolds had his coming out party midway through the year, and now the Navy Midshipmen appear to be right back on course.
The BYU Cougars are poised to make a pretty penny as an Independent, but they’ll need to be close to perfect if they hope to make a BCS bowl game.
Next up. The Oakland Raiders. One of my favorite tools in preparing for the 2013 NFL football season and to enhance your nfl wagering knowledge is to look ahead at each teams NFL schedule, and evaluate the games they will play.
Next up. The San Diego Chargers. One of my favorite tools in preparing for the 2013 NFL football season and to enhance your nfl wagering knowledge is to look ahead at each teams NFL schedule, and evaluate the games they will play.
