ESPN recently concluded a series looking ahead to each SEC team’s must-win game in the upcoming season. While some of the selections were obvious, quite a few on their list were questionable, to say the least.

It was odd to see the likes of Southern Miss, Purdue, Georgia Tech, and Western Kentucky all make the list, but apparently the ESPN writers making the selections don’t hold a high opinion of the SEC East division overall – recent results certainly could back up that assertion.

The annual game in Jacksonville makes sense for both Florida and Georgia, the Egg Bowl is a clear selection for both Mississippi schools heading into next season, and South Carolina needs to focus on starting its conference slate with a win at Missouri, but each of the remaining selections is open to debate.

Considering Alabama has a six-game win streak over LSU, it’s hard to call that a must-win game at home for the Tide in 2017. The season opener in the grand opening of Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on the other hand, will likely feature a Top 5, if not Top 2, matchup against Florida State. While Nick Saban has never lost a season opener at Alabama, the same can be said for Jimbo Fisher at FSU. If Alabama loses two games in a row, the Tide could be a game away from Playoff elimination the rest of the season.

The game Arkansas needs to win to prove the program is on the right track under Bret Bielema is the annual showdown in Arlington against Texas A&M – not a Week 9 contest vs. Ole Miss. If the Razorbacks finally get over the hump and beat the Aggies for the first time under Bielema, it could spark a run up the SEC standings.

With all the hype surrounding Auburn this offseason, beating Georgia would be great for the Tigers but the goal should be taking down Alabama. A win over the Dawgs but a loss to the Tide isn’t likely to result in the Tigers heading to Atlanta next season. That should be the goal for Auburn next season.

Sure, Kentucky lost to Southern Miss in last season’s season opener, but it didn’t result in the Wildcats missing out on a bowl trip – which was the goal for UK last season. This selection is especially puzzling, as Mark Stoops’ program is looking to take yet another step forward toward SEC relevance, not getting revenge against a Group of 5 school. In order for Kentucky to legitimize itself in the league, the Wildcats have to end the 30-year drought to Florida at home this season.

How LSU lost last year’s game against Florida still remains a mystery. While the Tigers do need to set their sights on taking down the king of the SEC, a much more important goal next season should be taking back the pride lost to the Gators in Death Valley. Losing to the Gators for a second consecutive season after winning five of the last six prior isn’t going to result in LSU finding its groove late in the season to challenge Alabama later in the season and on the road. Proving it can win in a tough Gainesville atmosphere should go much further toward building a successful 2017 season for LSU.

Hard to call Purdue a must-win game for Missouri when the Boilermakers finished 3-9 overall and won one Big Ten game last season – unless you are considering winning at home simply to avoid being the embarrassment of the league a must-win game. If Mizzou wants to show the program is moving in the right direction, it should circle the Week 2 home game against South Carolina. Mizzou nearly won a similar game against Georgia last season but failing to do so resulted in a terrible season. Stealing a win over SC at home early in the season could provide a huge boost to the program.

Tennessee enters 2017 with so many question marks, winning the first game is important but won’t be critical to the team’s success. Auburn and LSU are both examples of teams that lost season-opening non-conference games but still had a chance to win the SEC title last year. The game Tennessee needs to circle is the Sept. 30 home game against Georgia. With all the momentum UGA has gained this offseason, the Vols have a chance to silence it by winning a third consecutive game against over the Dawgs. A loss would elevate Kirby Smart’s program passed Butch Jones’ program – potentially for good.

If Texas A&M hopes to continue to remain a contender in the West, winning its SEC opener against Arkansas could prove to be vital. If not, the Aggies risk heading into a tough three-game SEC stretch that includes home games against South Carolina and Alabama before heading to Gainesville. Drop any two of those games and the Aggies won’t be going to Atlanta after piling up three league losses before the bye week.

Why Vanderbilt needs to win a non-conference game against a Group of 5 school in November remains a mystery, as the Commodores finally reached a bowl game under Derek Mason last season. Similar to Kentucky, the Commodores need to take the next step forward under Mason, not worry about stumbling back and once again becoming the laughing stock of the league. Those days should be behind them if the program is moving forward. Beating Kansas State at home in Week 3 before heading into the SEC schedule will provide a true barometer of where the program is under Mason.

ESPN’s list of must-win SEC games for 2017:

Alabama: LSU Tigers
Arkansas: Ole Miss Rebels
Auburn: Georgia Bulldogs
Florida: Georgia Bulldogs
Georgia: Florida Gators
Kentucky: Southern Miss
LSU: Alabama Crimson Tide
Mizzou: Purdue Boilermakers
Miss State: Ole Miss Rebels
Ole Miss: Mississippi State
South Carolina: Missouri Tigers
Tennessee: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Texas A&M: Miss State
Vanderbilt: Western Kentucky

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