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Preview: Iron Bowl tops SEC games to watch list

Posted on Jul 26, 2010 in Sports

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SEC Media Days kick off the football season. Take a look at the top 5 games to look for in the SEC.

5. Florida v Georgia
The SEC East looks to be the weakest it has been in many years; however, the parody within the division will be seen with almost every team in the division having a legit chance at punching a ticket to Atlanta in December.
Ultimately, the east crown may come down to the World’s Largest Cocktail Party as the Gators and Bulldogs renew a heated rivalry. There are questions on both sides of the field, as Florida begins life after Tim Tebow and Georgia takes the field after a season of inconsistency on the field and arrests and DUI’s off the field.
The winner of this game will undoubtedly get the spark that will be needed to win the division.

4. Florida v Alabama
It is the rematch of the last two SEC Championship games, and no one seems to notice this go around. It may be because Alabama is coming off a national championship and is a real contender of to repeat while Florida will be playing without one of their most valued players in school history.
The Gators will look to prove their critics wrong as sophomore quarterback John Brantley takes the reigns. It is a tough task to complete with a young quarterback and team heading to Bryant-Denny Stadium; however, the Tide will be travelling back from Fayetteville. This will surely be a matchup of the sidelines: Nick Saban versus Urban Meyer; each coach splitting the last two years.

3. LSU v Auburn
It is another battle of the Tigers as LSU heads to Jordan-Hare Stadium to battle division foe Auburn. The matchup of Tigers is always a fun one to watch; however, this year’s edition will be highly anticipated with almost expectedly everything on the line within the conference.
This could be an elimination game in the western division as neither team can afford a loss with Arkansas and Alabama still in the way.
The game has the looks of an offensive showdown; LSU will have a potent offensive attack led by Jordan Jefferson and Russell Shepard, and Auburn newcomer Cameron Newton will look to reverse the Auburn embarrassment in Baton Rouge one year ago as Auburn fell 31-10.
The key may be how Auburn can recover physically and emotionally to playing Arkansas and LSU in consecutive weeks.

2. Alabama v Arkansas
The Crimson Tide opens up their conference play with a dandy as they head to Fayetteville to play the Razorbacks. According to experts, this will not be the same Arkansas team we see yearly.
The Hogs are backed by tons of hype led by surprising preseason Heisman candidate Ryan Mallett. Arkansas does not have the best history with high expectations; however, as they squandered in 2007 with Darren McFadden.
The Tide, on the other hand, is used to the hype by now as it comes with the territory of winning a national championship, much less thirteen. Alabama will have all of the offensive firepower a team could want with Heisman winner Mark Ingram and power back Trent Richardson in the back field.
If the Hogs want to live up to the hype, they must find away to stop Bama’s lethal attack or else be another middle of the pack year in the heart of Arkansas.

1. Auburn v Alabama
Unfortunately, we have to wait until the last week of November for this one, but it is simply the Iron Bowl. The Iron Bowl is hands down the biggest game of the year in the state of Alabama. This year, however, could be the biggest game on the SEC calendar.
The Tide and Tigers battled in one of the top games of the year last season, with the Tide squeaking out a late victory in Auburn. It was a game that showed the up and coming of the new era in Auburn football and also showed that Alabama has taken control of the state.
After saying that, Auburn will be looking for revenge as they are western division contenders for the first time in three years and are bringing back a stellar offensive attack.
It will come down to defense for Auburn, as they have many questions concerning depth and tackling. If they can clear up these this season, the Tigers can and will be dangerous. Alabama will have a huge sized advantage and just as much attack as the high-flying Tigers.
It is the Iron Bowl, anything can happen, and if all goes as expected this season, all eyes in the SEC will be on this one, for sure.
 

Email: tabdalla@uab.edu

 




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