The SEC has added Texas and Oklahoma, making the very 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 powerful schedule of non-conference video games.
Listed here are the ten greatest, ranked in inverse order (rankings from AP preseason ballot).
10. UCLA at No. 13 LSU | Sept. 21
UCLA’s first main highway check as a Massive Ten member shall be a visit to Baton Rogue. This assembly will mark the second recreation between the applications, with UCLA profitable 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 applications have performed towards one another 3 times, with Tennessee profitable the final matchup in 2012. Quarterback Grayson McCall, working again Jordan Waters and receiver Kevin Concepcion shall be a significant check 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 overlook in regards to the Knights’ 29-17 win over Florida within the 2021 Gasparilla Bowl. Florida hasn’t had a profitable 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 in search of a giant yr 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 going through its first main highway check 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 every 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 because the 2001 season. The Combating 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 received 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 absolutely 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 brilliant 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 applications have received 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 can be a good way to try this. In 2021, the final time these groups performed one another, Georgia received 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 profitable 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?
