ESPN’s Labor Day Weekend schedule is full of SEC contests as the network begins another year of its long-term partnership with the conference.
The one most people will be looking forward to is Clemson at LSU on September 5. Not only is it Lane Kiffin‘s debut as LSU head coach, but there are plenty of questions about Clemson after finishing just above. 500 in 2025. Clemson hasn’t been back to the College Football Playoff since the 2020 season. LSU is looking for its first CFP appearance since winning it all in 2019.
Another new SEC coach, Alex Golesh, takes charge of Auburn as it faces Baylor in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Since Gus Malzahn was fired after the 2020 season, Auburn has not recorded a winning season. Between 2021 and 2025, the Tigers posted a 27-35 record and an 11-29 mark in the SEC.
Meanwhile, Pete Golding kicks off his first full season as Ole Miss head coach against Louisville in Nashville. Trinidad Chambliss, who is receiving serious Heisman hype, will be instrumental in the Rebels’ quest to return to the CFP after their first-ever appearance in 2025.
One SEC program that hasn’t changed its head coach? Alabama. Kalen DeBoer, in fact, signed a contract extension through the 2032 season. The next step is the Crimson Tide making a much deeper CFP run than they made in 2025. They open against East Carolina on September 5 at noon ET.
Here’s a look at ESPN’s full Labor Day Weekend slate involving SEC teams:
- East Carolina at Alabama – September 5, noon ET, ABC
- Baylor vs. Auburn (in Atlanta) – September 5, 3:30 p.m. ET, ABC
- Clemson at LSU – September 5, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
- Louisville vs. Ole Miss (in Nashville) – September 6, 7:30 p.m. ET, ABC
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
