SEC Football: Ranking and predicting every 2022 Week 1 matchup

With the start of Week 1 fast approaching, it’s finally time for college and SEC Football to dominate Saturday’s once again.

This year, like previous seasons, starts off with a staggered schedule. SEC football officially kicks off August 27 with a matchup between Vanderbilt and Hawaii.

But Week 1 for most teams doesn’t start until the following week on September 3.

And despite it being the opening game of the season, the SEC has scheduled some juicy matchups with even a few ranked opponents in the mix.

While it makes the first week a much better event than typical, these last few days without college football are all the more miserable.

So to pass the time, it seemed like a good idea to put together a preview of each game and predict who will come out on top.

Without further ado, here are the rankings and predictions for each Week 1 matchup in the SEC.

Ranking and predicting the top SEC Football 2022 Week 1 matchups

1. (3) Georgia vs (11) Oregon

The best game on the entire college football slate outside of (5) Notre Dame vs (2) Ohio State is between the defending National Champion Georgia Bulldogs and the Oregon Ducks with their first year head coach Dan Lanning.

Lanning was the former defensive coordinator at Georgia and replaces former head coach Mario Cristobal who left for Miami.

Oregon also brings in a new starting quarterback and familiar face; Auburn’s Bo Nix came over via transfer portal this past spring.

Georgia currently sits at 17.5 point favorites going into the matchup and rightfully so as they are the SEC’s cream of the crop.

Because there are too many unknowns for the Ducks with a new QB and head coach, the Bulldogs should be able to take advantage and begin the year 1-0.

2. (19) Arkansas vs (23) Cincinatti

In what looks to be a very underrated Week 1 matchup, Cincy goes into Razorback Stadium as 7 point underdogs.

This game is at the same time as Georgia vs Oregon and will certainly be overshadowed. But have the remote near you just in case.

The Bearcats lost a lost of talent (9 players to be exact) from last years squad including quarterback Desmond Ridder.

While they still have head coach Luke Fickell and are the highest ranked Group of Five team, they’ll most likely not be the team they were last season.

The Razorbacks are led by redshirt junior QB KJ Jefferson who looks to take an even bigger step after his breakout season last year.

They go as far as he goes, and that’ll be just past Cincy in Week 1.

3. Florida vs (7) Utah

In what is the first matchup of a home and home series between the Utes and the Gators, both programs are on opposite ends of development.

Utah comes into the swamp looking to build off of last season’s PAC-12 championship and Rose Bowl appearance.

While Billy Napier replaces Dan Mullen as head coach of the Gators and has his work cut out for him in the opening game.

Quarterback Anthony Richardson is an intriguing player for the Gators and if they have any chance in this game then he’ll have to play well.

All in all, Utah has too many returning players and a dynamic QB of their own in Cameron Rising. They’ll get an SEC road win to begin the year.

4. LSU vs FSU

Brian Kelly and the Tigers kick off the season against the Seminoles during a prime time slot on Sunday night.

Kelly’s move from Notre Dame to Baton Rouge has made many headlines this offseason so a loss here would be a disastrous start for him.

Luckily, the Seminoles and third year head coach Mike Norvell are just trying to get on track after two straight losing seasons so the Tigers should be able to survive.

LSU only enters the game as three point favorites and while this certainly has upset potential, it’s hard to imagine Kelly losing in his debut with the Tigers.

5. Mississippi State vs Memphis

This game last year was a sight to see and ended up being one of the most exciting SEC non-conference games.

The Bulldogs will hope to avoid a repeat of last year and not drop a game they’re supposed to win, which is a Mike Leach classic.

This year Mississippi State returns 16 starters and are hoping to take another step forward under Leach. And that begins with not falling into the trap and beating Memphis this go around.

6. South Carolina vs Georgia State

SC vs Georgia State may not seem as appetizing as other matchups but don’t forget about this one.

This will be the world’s first view of Spencer Rattler playing in a meaningful game for the Gamecocks.

We’ll get a sense of whether Rattler can play like his former self and help steer the program in the right direction or if he still needs more time to develop.

Georgia State is led by former Gamecock interim coach Shawn Elliot who led the Panthers to an upset victory over Tennessee in Week 1 of 2019 and also almost upset Auburn last year.

It’s a matchup with good storylines on both ends and one that South Carolina should come away victorious.

7. (20) Kentucky vs Miami (OH)

Kentucky football is currently going through their best run in program history and Miami (OH) won’t be stopping that in the opening week.

Will Levis will look to gel with his new offensive coordinator so a slow start for the Wildcats is possible but there’s no upset here.

Levis could go in the first round of next years NFL Draft so it’ll be interesting to watch his development as the season goes on.

8. Missouri vs Louisiana Tech

Both teams will look different from their 2021 counterparts.

La Tech comes off a 3-win campaign and having to overhaul their coaching staff, and Mizzou has a new offense that includes consensus 5-star freshman wideout Luther Burden.

Missouri comes in as 19 point favorites and Tech fans shouldn’t count on that outcome being any different despite their offseason changes.

9. (1) Alabama vs Utah State

Alabama opens up the year as the number one ranked team in the country and Bryce Young, along with Will Anderson, will be showing off against Utah State.

The Aggies finished ranked last season but this most likely won’t be competitive in the second half. Unless Alabama takes their foot off the gas and looks ahead to Texas in Week 2, expect the Tide to dominate per usual.

10. (21) Ole Miss vs Troy

Currently Ole Miss hasn’t announced their starting quarterback yet but the offensive talent is still there and the Lane Train waits for nobody.

Troy is coming off a 5-win season and will need to pressure whichever young QB the Rebels trot out there.

The Trojans actually do apply pressure well from the linebacker spots but it just won’t be enough as Ole Miss has too much speed at the skill positions.

11. Vanderbilt @ Hawaii

In what is the only opening game where an SEC team goes on the road, Vandy travels to Hawaii to face the Rainbow Warriors.

Hawaii had a plethora of issues at the end of last season. Their head coach Todd Graham resigned after reported mistreatment of players, and the Hawaii Bowl was cancelled due to a players only meeting which resulted in a vote against participating.

Now they enter the Timmy Chang era hoping to erase some of the problems that have plagued the program.

Vanderbilt should win this matchup as 8 point favorites but it’ll be close and should be interesting how competitive Hawaii can be.

12. Tennessee vs Ball State

The Vols have second year head coach Josh Heupel from UCF and will put up a lot of points during this season.

Ball State had one of the worst defenses last year and it’s a 32.5 point spread.

This game would be lower on the list except Ball State isn’t an FCS team and it felt wrong to rank it lower because of that.

13. (6) Texas A&M vs Sam Houston

The Aggies are the highest ranked team in the nation facing an FCS squad.

During the offseason, A&M faced criticism from Nick Saban regarding their efforts in recruiting and their preseason ranking was seen as too high by some.

They won’t exactly prove anything in Week 1 but they’ll certainly get off to a good start in the opening game.

14. Auburn vs Mercer

Auburn has dealt with a multitude of drama surrounding head coach Bryan Harsin but that won’t stop them from pouncing on Mercer.

The Tigers should feast on this cupcake and start 1-0, if not… then the Auburn boosters will come for Harsin once more.

15. Vanderbilt vs Elon

The worst game on the schedule is the second game of the Commodores season.

Another FCS matchup that could be over by halftime, Vanderbilt should be able to take care of business at home.