Confession time.

So in case you missed it, I spent the past 2 weeks breaking down every single game that every SEC team will play this season. You can find it all right here. Yell at me there or here. Your call.

Oh, that’s right. The confession.

This piece is about my “boldest” game predictions for 2018. I actually don’t think they’re that bold. Maybe you do. That’s the difference between preseason predictions and in-season predictions. If I thought a team was going to be horrible, I probably wouldn’t pick them to beat someone who was really not horrible.

So keep that in mind as you yell at me about these “bold” game predictions for 2018.

5. South Carolina beats Florida

I’m not picking the Gators to make the Playoff like Brian Jones or anything, but I’m expecting Florida to actually look like a competent SEC team this year. Usually it’s considered an upset to predict any competent Florida team to lose a game in the Swamp. So yeah, I think Will Muschamp goes back to his old stomping grounds and has his defense ready to roll.

It might not wind up being the best day for offenses with a lot of hype, but I give the edge to a South Carolina squad that will have had 2 months to get used to Bryan McClendon’s system. I like the chances of the Gamecocks putting together perhaps their best performance of the year and getting out of Florida with a huge divisional win.

4. Mississippi State beats LSU

If I had to do a “one bold prediction for 2018” it’d be Mississippi State-based. Yes, I have the Bulldogs going 10-2. No, this isn’t my boldest single-game prediction for them. But I do think it’d be considered an upset for them to roll into Baton Rouge and pull out a win. Part of that has to do with another thing that I’m predicting, but I’ll get to that later.

I’m high on Joe Moorhead’s ability to do what Mullen couldn’t. That is, take down the big boys. Moorhead’s confidence in raucous road atmospheres is going to be huge. By the time this one rolls around, I believe Nick Fitzgerald and Co. will be fully on board with Moorhead’s offense.

As for LSU, I’m not sure the offense will be firing on all cylinders following a physical game against Georgia. Not being ready to play a loaded defensive line with Jeffery Simmons and Montez Sweat proves to be costly. MSU gets a big-time win to stay unbeaten in SEC play.

3. Ole Miss beats South Carolina

If you think South Carolina is a legitimate threat to beat Georgia, then surely you think this would be a considerable upset. A game that’s being played in Oxford winds up favoring the home team in a big way.

Coming off a bye week, the Rebels get ahead by multiple scores early via a couple of big passing plays from Jordan Ta’amu. South Carolina finds itself throwing more than it would like to, which plays into Ole Miss’ defensive strength.

Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

This game serves as a reminder that Jake Bentley still isn’t at his best in obvious throwing situations. That catches up to South Carolina late, and Ole Miss gets its nicest home win of the year.

2. Mississippi State beats Auburn

There are a lot of people who might scoff at the idea of MSU beating Auburn given that last year’s matchup was so one-sided. Losing 49-10 one year doesn’t suggest “solid upset win” the next. But this is a different set of circumstances that we’re working with.

For starters, location, location, location. Gus Malzahn is a .500 coach away from Jordan-Hare since taking over at Auburn. He beat one top-25 team on the road in the last 3 years. MSU will be a top-25 team, and in all likelihood, that’s going to be quite the atmosphere in Starkville. I actually think the Bulldogs will play at home this year like the Tigers did last year.

Again, Moorhead’s presence will be crucial. By Week 6, I expect MSU’s passing game to be vastly improved from what it was last year. That keeps Auburn’s loaded front 7 honest. And against an offensive line that still has some question marks, the MSU defensive line takes over. Perhaps the bigger question is whether or not this will be considered a legitimate upset by the time Week 6 rolls around.

1. LSU beats Georgia

Some people think that Georgia will go 12-0. Some people think LSU is destined for 6 wins. I don’t think either of those things happen. You know what I think does happen? LSU wins at least one of its huge headliner matchups and Georgia loses a game it probably shouldn’t.

And that’s how an upset is born.

This game serves up being a wakeup call for Georgia. After 4 weeks facing Middle Tennessee, Mizzou, Tennessee and Vanderbilt, the Dawgs get a reminder of what it’s like to face an elite defense. LSU comes out playing on a different level in what figures to be a night kickoff in the Bayou. Joe Burrow gives LSU the dimension it needs to finally stretch the field and be somewhat unpredictable against a national contender.

Ed Orgeron quiets his doubters with one loud, emphatic statement against the defending SEC champs.