Neutral site games can be an interesting diversion for SEC teams. It’s a chance to expand a school’s recruiting footprint or to play a prime-time game in front of a national television audience.

Or, for schools like Georgia and Florida, those kind of games are a way of life — and a good excuse to tailgate in Jacksonville every fall.

There are seven neutral-site games scheduled for SEC schools this season, not counting the SEC Championship Game, and each provides its own unique features of interest.

But the headline says rank them, so here goes:

7. ARKANSAS VS. TEXAS A&M (ARLINGTON, TEXAS)

The final two match-ups on this list are great games, but they happen so often, it’s difficult to consider them neutral-site games.

The Razorbacks and Aggies have played this game in Arlington five of the past seven seasons, so it’s not exactly a novelty. The past two games have been decided in overtime, and Texas A&M won both.

By the time this one rolls around in Week 4, we’ll have an idea of how Trevor Knight is holding up as the Aggie quarterback, and perhaps Austin Allen will be following in his brother’s footsteps under center for Arkansas.

6. FLORIDA VS. GEORGIA (JACKSONVILLE, FLA.)

“The World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party” has been played in Jacksonville every year (barring 1994 and 1995) since 1933.

It always weighs heavily on the SEC East title race and often carries national championship implications. It’s one of the best and most meaningful games each season, and this year’s clash should be no different.

But it’s hard to think of it as a neutral site game. It’s bigger than that.

5. ALABAMA VS. USC (ARLINGTON, TEXAS)

Southern Cal will be breaking in a new coach (Clay Helton) and a new quarterback (Max Browne or Sam Darnold) against the defending national champions.

Browne was the No. 1-ranked pro-style passer in the 2013 class.

The Crimson Tide will have their own new faces for the opener, too. Coach Nick Saban must find a replacement for quarterback Jake Coker, Heisman Trophy winning running back Derrick Henry and a handful of NFL draft picks on defense.

Alabama will be the clear favorite, but it will be interesting to see how the two programs have changed from last season.

4. GEORGIA VS. NORTH CAROLINA (ATLANTA)

The Tar Heels looked ordinary in a season opening loss to South Carolina last season, then reeled off 11 consecutive wins to win the ACC Coastal Division and barge into the discussion for a playoff berth.

This year, they will look to make a more positive statement in Atlanta against Georgia in the opener. The Tar Heels will have to replace talented quarterback Marquise Williams, but bring back 14 starters from last year’s 11-3 squad.

The Bulldogs will be starting the Kirby Smart era, and perhaps, the game could mark the beginning of freshman quarterback Jacob Eason’s career as well.

It should make for a fascinating contest.

3. OLE MISS VS. FLORIDA STATE (ORLANDO)

Florida State, which will likely receive a few preseason No. 1 votes, will be the opponent for the Rebels on Labor Day at Camping World Stadium.

The Seminoles return all 11 starters from its offense, while Ole Miss will ride the strong right arm of quarterback Chad Kelly as it tries to replace 14 starters from last year’s squad.

The winner will announce its presence with authority in the race for the college football playoff, while the loser will have to make an early pit stop for adjustments.

2. LSU VS. WISCONSIN (GREEN BAY, WISC.)

Part of the appeal of neutral site games is the venue itself, and the more unusual, the better.

Lambeau Field, the home of the Green Bay Packers, opened in 1957 and has never hosted a college football game. That will change when LSU and Wisconsin meet there in the season opener.

LSU defensive coordinator Dave Aranda will be facing his old program while the Badgers will try to figure out a way to slow down Leonard Fournette and the rest of the Tiger offense.

1. TENNESSEE VS. VIRGINIA TECH (BRISTOL, TENN.)

No neutral site game is more unique than the one that Tennessee and Virginia Tech will play in Week 2.

The Volunteers and Hokies will meet at Bristol Motor Speedway, and will likely smash the attendance record for a college football game, set in 2013 at Michigan when 115,109 fans watched the Wolverines play Notre Dame.

The football configuration is expected to be for around 150,000 people, and it should be quite an atmosphere: