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SEC Football: Ranking the Top 5 Week 1 matchups of 2023 season

By Matt Melton

NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers is tackled by defensive tackle Fabien Lovett #0 of the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome on September 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA - SEPTEMBER 04: Quarterback Jayden Daniels #5 of the LSU Tigers is tackled by defensive tackle Fabien Lovett #0 of the Florida State Seminoles at Caesars Superdome on September 04, 2022 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images) /
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Week 1 of the 2023 SEC football season has now finally arrived, with the conference once again set to take center stage nationally when it comes to some of the top matchups this weekend. So, with that thought in mind, here are five to watch for in particular.

Ranking the Top 5 SEC football Week 1 matchups of 2023 season

5. Alabama vs. Middle Tennessee

We begin at No. 5 in Tuscaloosa, where Alabama will host Middle Tennessee to open their 2023 season. The Crimson Tide are big favorites over the Blue Raiders going into Saturday, with this matchup likely headlined by the question surrounding Alabama’s quarterback competition.

4. Tennessee vs. Virginia

The first of three SEC vs. ACC neutral-site games across the conference this weekend, Tennessee and Virginia are set to meet Saturday afternoon in Nashville, TN. Tennessee has not played Virginia head-to-head on the football field since 1991.

3. South Carolina vs. North Carolina

The location of ESPN’s College Gameday in Week 1, South Carolina will play North Carolina in what is a neutral-site matchup in Charlotte, NC. With the Tar Heels ranked No. 21 in the preseason AP Poll, both South Carolina and North Carolina last met in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, a game in which the Gamecocks won, 38-21.

2. Florida at Utah

Only one SEC football team plays a true road game in Week 1, with that matchup of Florida facing two-time defending Pac-12 champion Utah in Salt Lake City coming in at No. 2. With the Utes also ranked No. 14 in the preseason AP Poll, the two teams previously met a year ago in Gainesville to open the 2022 season, a game in which Florida won, 29-26.

1. LSU vs. Florida State

Two of the top brands in the SEC and ACC, we conclude with the final matchup of the week, as LSU and Florida State will meet Sunday night in Orlando, FL for a Top 10 matchup in Week 1. The Tigers and Seminoles also previously met to open the 2022 season a year ago in New Orleans, a game in which Florida State won by a final score of 24-23.

Next. 2023 preseason SEC football power rankings. dark

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