SEC Football: Top 15 Out of Conference Games for 2016

The SEC has largely been known through the years as a conference that plays its biggest games in-conference. However, this year the SEC has 15 noteworthy out of conference games. In this article I will list these 15 games, tell you when and where they take place, and provide some analysis of each one. We will begin at number 15 and work our way down to one.

15. Vanderbilt at Georgia Tech

When: Saturday, September 17th 11:30am CT

Where: Bobby Dodd Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

How to Watch: ACCN/ESPN3

Last season these two teams were polar opposites of each other. Vanderbilt was a scrappy team on the rise, while Tech was in free-fall. In 2014 Tech went 11-3 and won the Orange Bowl. But then last season they went 3-9. Vanderbilt, by contrast, improved substantially from 2014 to 2015. They only won one more game, but the record is not indicative of the improvement the Commodores showed, particularly on defense.

This year, both teams are looking at a tough road to bowl eligibility. Whether or not they get there will largely depend on the play of their respective quarterbacks. For Georgia Tech, Justin Thomas is entering his final collegiate season. Thomas is a great runner, which is essential in Tech’s triple-option offense, but he is also an adequate passer. Between passing and rushing, Thomas has gained 4994 yards and scored 48 touchdowns.

Kyle Shurmur, by contrast has only started four games for Vanderbilt. He completed just 43 percent of his passes. It is certainly possible, perhaps even likely, that Shurmur will improve substantially in his sophomore campaign, I’m not sure it will be enough to get Vanderbilt to a bowl game.

Prediction: This will be an ugly, low-scoring defensive slugfest. So if you are a fan of high-flying air raid offenses shooting it out this is not the game for you. It will be ugly, and that’s how both teams like it. Vanderbilt’s defense is stingy and will keep them in the game. But Shurmur and the Vanderbilt offense won’t score enough to win. Tech wins a close one.

Next: Bulldogs vs. Cougars