College football is here. FBS football is here. Most importantly, SEC football is here.

South Carolina may not have provided the most excitement or, let’s be honest, talent, in last night’s win over North Carolina. But, by golly, as its coach would say, it was a win.

The Gamecocks are probably about the ninth-best team in the league. Give or take. The best ones all begin Saturday. And some of them start with doozies.

That said, here are the five best SEC-involved games in this most glorious of weekends.

UTEP vs Arkansas

The visiting Miners aren’t bad. They are almost the perfect opening-game opponent. Especially for Arkansas. UTEP and the Razorbacks had the exact same record last year at 7-6. They play very similar styles offensively in both teams prefer to ground and pound. Because of that style, Arkansas should not have a problem. The Hogs have superior athletes across the board, but UTEP should have enough gumption with coach Sean Kugler, a former offensive lineman, to not back down.

Bowling Green vs Tennessee

Like UTEP above, Bowling Green is not terribly frightening. And also like the Miners, the Eagles aren’t half-bad. Several publications pick Bowling Green to win the East Division of the Mid-American Conference. Tennessee, on the other hand, is something of a darling pick to win the same division in the SEC. Some camp injuries have dampened the mood around Knoxville in recent weeks, but with Jalen Hurd and Joshua Dobbs still kicking, the Volunteers will have every chance to show what they have.

Wisconsin vs Alabama

Even with serious questions, perhaps even doubts, at quarterback, Alabama is a favorite in the SEC West and top five team nationally. That’s an area Wisconsin can sometimes find itself in. The Badgers haven’t had a losing season since 2001. That’s longer than the Crimson Tide have gone, even. But Wisconsin also doesn’t have near the cache, nevermind the national championships. First-year Wisconsin coach Paul Chryst has his own quarterback questions – Joel Stave is the starter, but he’s hardly a world-beater. That plus a crazy-good Alabama front seven should gave Alabama a win, likely, even a double-digit one.

Louisville vs Auburn

Arkansas fans will watch this one with a keen eye. Former Hogs head coach Bobby Petrino and Louisville are sure to have a high-flying offense. Former Hogs offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn and Auburn have the same. Whether either plays any defense will be curious to watch. In seriousness, the winner of this game keeps a shot, no matter how distant, at the College Football Playoff.

Arizona State vs Texas A&M

Those in the camp who thinks Texas A&M will win are those who believe the Aggies are a serious contender for the SEC West title. Those who think the Aggies will lose to Arizona State typically picked them sixth in the division. That isn’t to say Texas A&M is bad. Not at all. Quarterback Kyle Allen is a star in the making and he has arguably the deepest and best corps of wide receivers to throw to. If the defense is passable, Texas A&M will win. Thing is, the defense hasn’t been passable lately. Will that change with new DC John Chavis?