Before the season begins, one could make the argument that EVERY conference game has its own level of impact on the SEC championship race.

But let’s be honest, not all games are created equal.

Once the early-season results start rolling in, we’ll have a better idea of the best teams in the conference. As we stand in fall camp, I’m going to try to identify five games that are GUARANTEED to impact the SEC championship race in some form or fashion.

Listen, narrowing the list down to just five games was tough. This could have just as easily been a list of 15 games that SHOULD impact the SEC championship race, and you could make a solid case for all of them.

Your list probably differs from mine. Share it with us.

Sept. 19: Ole Miss at Alabama

As the lone team to knock off the Crimson Tide in SEC play last season, Ole Miss has earned the right for this early-season game to be considered one that will shape the SEC West race. Returning a stout Landshark defense along with a Hugh Freeze-led offense, the Rebels are considered by some to have a shot at the SEC West title this season. A loss at Alabama hurts those chances. Meanwhile, Alabama will be considered an annual contender for the SEC West until proven otherwise.

Oct. 10: Georgia at Tennessee

Pick any game on Georgia’s October schedule (Alabama, at Tennessee, Missouri and Florida) and point to it as a pivotal point in the SEC championship race, as it is likely to define the Bulldogs season. Given that the media has tabbed Georgia and Tennessee as the top two contenders to represent the SEC East in the conference championship game, I’m picking this matchup for the list. The winner of this mid-season game could emerge as the favorite to win the division.

Nov. 7: LSU at Alabama

When is the last time that LSU vs. Alabama hasn’t impacted the SEC West race? During the last decade, either LSU or Alabama has represented the SEC West in Atlanta seven times. Even last season, which was a down year for the Tigers, produced an overtime scare that likely would have derailed Alabama’s quest for the SEC championship had it gone the other way. As long as Les Miles and Nick Saban are in charge, this game is as a good a bet as any to impact the SEC championship race.

Nov. 14: Georgia at Auburn

Some would argue against this selection, saying that the Alabama at Georgia game on Oct. 3 should be on the list instead. I hear your argument, and it’s a valid one. Still yet, we’ve got a mid-November game here that could decide the winner of both the SEC East and SEC West. Auburn is the preseason favorite to win the SEC championship (though not the SEC West), and Georgia was the overwhelming pick to win the SEC East. When the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry goes down again in November, odds are good that one of the two will be positioning itself for a SEC championship run.

Nov. 28: Alabama at Auburn

As if players and fans needed any more reason to get fired up for the Iron Bowl, there’s a distinct possibility that it could be another winner-take-all match for a trip to the SEC championship game in Atlanta. Considering either Auburn or Alabama has been the SEC West representative in six of the last seven years and that both schools are again picked to be atop the division, this game is a virtual lock to have some implication on the SEC championship race.