Deshaun Watson isn’t done with the SEC just yet.
Clemson’s Heisman Trophy candidate will have at least two more shots at the SEC in 2016, highlighting the toughest non-conference opponent each team will face.
Alabama — vs. USC, AT&T Stadium, Sept. 3 — The Tide will open defense of its national title against a Pac-12 brand name breaking in a new quarterback and newer head coach. Truth is, even if graduating QB Cody Kessler were returning to the Trojans, Alabama just doesn’t lose these opening games to other Power 5 teams.
Arkansas — at TCU, Sept. 10 — Which program can reload faster? Both will line up with new quarterbacks, new weapons in the backfield and the outside. Kenny Hill, the former shooting star at Texas A&M, is a candidate to win the Horned Frogs QB job.
Auburn — vs. Clemson, Sept. 3 — Auburn and Clemson agreed to a home-and-home series on July 30, 2014 — knowing Deshaun Watson would be dressed in orange and purple, not blue. Auburn travels to Clemson in 2017, but Watson should be safely in the NFL by then.
Florida — at Florida State, Nov. 26 — Sean McGuire and the Noles will try to make it four straight in their annual rivalry game. Florida’s last victory in the series, however, was in Tallahassee in 2012.
Georgia — vs. North Carolina, Georgia Dome, Sept. 3 — Neutral site in name only, the Bulldogs likely will usher in the Jacob Eason era in an NFL stadium, which is exactly the level of play fans expect from their five-star freshman quarterback. North Carolina will counter with Elijah Hood, a punishing, SEC-type back, who ran for 1,463 yards last season and famously flushed a recruiting letter from Nick Saban down the toilet.
Kentucky — vs. Southern Miss, Sept. 3 — The Louisville game to close the season is on the road and always difficult, but the opener is particularly dangerous because of QB Nick Mullens. The C-USA offensive player of the year threw for 4,476 yards and 38 TDs last season to lead Southern Miss to a 9-4 record. Mullens will have a new offensive coordinator — Todd Monken bolted to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — but the throw-first approach won’t change.
LSU — vs. Wisconsin, Lambeau Field, Sept. 3 — Leonard Fournette kicks off his Heisman Trophy campaign in one of football’s storied venues. The only downside to this meeting is the tundra won’t be frozen. Wisconsin will have a new quarterback but same rugged approach.
Mississippi State — at BYU, Oct. 14 — The Bulldogs have one of the easier non-conference slates, but the pass-happy Cougars are no cupcake. Tanner Mangum replaced the injured Taysom Hill and threw for 3,377 yards and 23 TDs as a freshman. Hill could be back in the fold — or after graduating, could be a starter elsewhere.
Missouri — at West Virginia, Sept. 3 — This road date becomes a bit more manageable if Maty Mauk is back in good graces and under center. Returning senior QB Skyler Howard (3,145 passing yards, 26 TDs) leads the Mountaineers but will be without Wendell Smallwood (1,519 rushing yards), who declared early for the NFL Draft.
Ole Miss — vs. Florida State, Citrus Bowl, Orlando, Monday Sept. 5 — Monday night football, college edition. Chad Kelly unveils his new weapons to a national TV audience as he’ll try to match stats and points with FSU Heisman candidate Dalvin Cook. We’ll learn very quickly whether Hugh Freeze was about to reload or forced to rebuild following the early departures of Laremy Tunsil, Laquon Treadwell and Robert Nkemdiche.
South Carolina — at Clemson, Nov. 26 — The Gamecocks prepare for Round 3 with Deshaun Watson in what likely will be his final home game.
Tennessee — vs. Virginia Tech, Bristol Motor Speedway, Bristol, Tenn., Sept. 10 — Virginia Tech is breaking in a new coach, Justin Fuente, who will try to restore some magic into the Hokies’ lackluster offense, which beat up on lower-level teams last season but struggled against ACC defenses. Tennessee’s defense is much better than that.
Texas A&M — vs. UCLA, Sept. 3 — The Aggies’ defensive backs will be challenged by rising sophomore Josh Rosen, who threw for 3,670 yards and 23 TDs while leading the Bruins to an 8-5 record.
Vanderbilt — at Georgia Tech, Sept. 17 — The Yellow Jackets were the ACC’s biggest disappointment last season — its version of Auburn. Tech opened the season ranked No. 16 and finished 3-9. QB Justin Thomas is back, and he’s better than he showed in 2015.
Managing Editor
A 30-time APSE award-winning editor with previous stints at the Miami Herald, The Indianapolis Star and News & Observer, Executive Editor Chris Wright oversees editorial operations for Saturday Down South.
