SEC Football: The Top Five Games of 2015

5. Tennessee vs. Georgia

October 10th

I keep saying that this game could very well determine the winner of the East. Georgia will be making the trip to Knoxville just one week after a highly anticipated match-up with Alabama. Tennessee will get to stay home, but must face a physical Arkansas team in the week leading up to Georgia.

This is will be a big moment for Butch Jones. He’s done all the right things so far in his rebuild at Tennessee, now it’s time to go knock off a powerhouse program. They’ve been close in both games that he has coached against Georgia, but haven’t been able to seal the deal.

Nick Chubb will have to deal with potentially one of the best defenses that he will face all year long. Derek Barnett and company will hope to stop Chubb and force Georgia to beat them through the air. On the other side, Josh Dobbs will deal with the best pass rush that he will see all year. It will be a monumental game for him as he gets his first action ever against the Bulldogs.

4. Ole Miss vs. Alabama

September 19th

It’s time for another “prove it” game for the Rebels. Ole Miss was able to take down Alabama last season in dramatic fashion, but a lot has changed since then. Ole Miss will be coming off somewhat of a challenge in Fresno State while Alabama will get a snoozer in MTSU.

The story here for both sides is at the quarterback position. The Rebels will send out Chad Kelly, hoping that he pick up right where Bo Wallace left off. Alabama’s Jake Coker will likely get the call this season and will face and immediate challenge in Wisconsin right off of the bat.

Both squads feature outstanding front sevens, but each have question marks in the secondary. This game will likely come down to which quarterback can make the most plays. We don’t really know what we are getting with Kelly or Coker yet, but this will be the game that we see what they’re made of.

3. Georgia vs. Auburn

November 15th

This could very well turn out to be a playoff elimination game. It isn’t too crazy to think that both of these teams could enter this match-up undefeated or even with one loss. Auburn will get the shorter end of the scheduling stick here. This will be the final game in a rough four game stretch that includes Ole Miss, Arkansas and Texas A&M. Georgia will be coming off of a home match-up against Kentucky.

Neither team will be able to afford to drop this game. Georgia figures to be locked in a tight race with Missouri and Tennessee, while Auburn will try to hold off the pack in the ultra-competitive SEC West. Auburn’s schedule is very back loaded, with their two biggest games set to take place in November. This will be Georgia’s final SEC game of the season.

Georgia will have to figure out how to stop a dangerous Jeremy Johnson. Their secondary was a point of weakness last season, so this could be a spot for Malzahn to exploit. Auburn will bring back an improved and experienced front seven this season, but I’m not sure anyone will be able to slow down Nick Chubb. All of Georgia’s opponents will be loading the box, forcing the Bulldogs to beat them through the air. It’s no different here. I’ll be interested to see how far Georgia can go with a sub par passing attack.

2. Georgia vs. Alabama

October 3rd

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For Alabama, this is just another mine in the minefield. They not only have to play the SEC West, but they drew arguably the top two teams from the East as well. ‘Bama will have already played Wisconsin and Ole Miss by the time they get to Georgia on the schedule. For the Bulldogs, this will be the first of a few tests. After a few cupcakes along with South Carolina and Vanderbilt, Georgia will host the Crimson Tide for the first time since 2008.

Luckily for both sides, this game happens early enough in the season that both teams could technically recover from a loss. However, this is an early statement game for both sides. It’s a massive test for (presumably) Jake Coker and Greyson Lambert. Both are massive question marks and will be the key to both teams’ seasons, respectively.

This game is going to be a throwback, 1980s style match-up. Neither team’s strength is at quarterback, forming a fascinating battle in the trenches. It will be strength against strength. Nick Chubb against Derrick Henry. This may be my favorite game on the schedule for 2015, simply because of the physicality it is going to take to win.

1. Auburn vs. Alabama

November 28th

Year in and year out, this game is always one of the final pieces of the national puzzle. The SEC West usually comes down to this game and I don’t expect that to change this year. Auburn has a slightly easier road to this match-up, but it isn’t easy by any means. Both Auburn and Alabama have scheduled cupcake games or “tune-ups” in the week leading up to the Iron Bowl.

As I mentioned above, this game usually is played with the SEC West on the line. This is the game that the state of Alabama lives for. It’s produced a birth in the National Championship game in six of the past seven years. It wouldn’t shock me to see that stat increased this season.

The key to this game is going to be Alabama’s ability to stop Jeremy Johnson and Jovon Robinson. I think both emerge as household names by this time. I don’t think Alabama will be able to keep up with Auburn’s offense, so it will be imperative to get some stops and force some turnovers. Jake Coker has to step up for Alabama and play efficiently. If he doesn’t, Alabama may be taking a step backwards this year.

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