The SEC will waste little time either forcing its teams right into the playoff picture or spending a few weeks into the season trying to erase memories of early losses to some of the country’s best teams, including its own.

With Wisconsin, USC and Florida State on the opening week docket as SEC competition, there are plenty of games to choose from, but here are the five best games in quickly approaching September.

5. LSU at Auburn, Sept. 24

Can’t name the top five games without naming arguably the SEC’s best player, LSU RB Leonard Fournette. But when the Tigers go to The Plains, it will be as much about the coaching hot seats of Les Miles (obviously for reasons outside wins and losses) and Gus Malzahn. LSU has the better chance of being 3-0, the biggest hurdle being Wisconsin. Auburn would have to have beaten Clemson and Texas A&M. If Malzahn drops to 1-3, Jovon Robinson’s Twitter account should be entertaining.

4. Florida at Tennessee, Sept. 24

A lot of dust will have settled for both teams. Chances are they will both be 3-0 – the only considerate win would be Tennessee over Virginia Tech. Luke Del Rio is probably going to be starting under center for the Gators. Josh Dobbs and Jalen Hurd are probably going to enter the game with absurd numbers. In what should be a top 15 matchup, one of two things will happen. Florida will prove its early ranking or the Tennessee hype train will roll on.

3. Ole Miss vs. Florida State, Sept. 5

The Rebels and Seminoles tie up in primetime on Labor Day in Orlando. Florida State appeared at No. 4 in the Coaches Poll, Ole Miss at No. 12. As if there weren’t already plenty at stake – an early entrance into championship contention and both have questions to be answered in the game. Florida State might see its quarterbacking battle get settled between Sean Maquire and Deondre Francois. Ole Miss will learn a lot about heralded freshman offensive tackle Greg Little and where the offensive line stacks up against Florida State’s tough defensive front. One of the two teams will leave Orlando with a firm, but extremely early, grip on its destiny.

2. Alabama vs. USC, Sept. 3

Fresh off another national championship, Alabama (ranked No. 1 in the Coaches Poll) starts off with No. 17 Southern California. Like most of the SEC, all eyes are on Alabama quarterbacks Cooper Bateman, David Cornwell, Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts. New Tide defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt and a new-look defense will have its hands full with Trojans WR JuJu Smith-Schuster.

1. Alabama at Ole Miss, Sept. 17

No team is under the skin of Alabama and its fans as much as Ole Miss. After a decade drought, Ole Miss has won the last two meetings. Despite the wins, the Rebels are still trying to get where Alabama is. In a CBS afternoon kickoff, both teams should be well-rested, and if Ole Miss beats Florida State and Alabama beats USC, this could be a top 5 matchup. A week after playing USC and Florida State, the Tide and Rebels face Western Kentucky and Wofford, respectively, much-needed, should-wins heading into this showdown. Ole Miss has its quarterback in Chad Kelly. Alabama might have its by then. Both will likely try and exploit the other’s secondary.