Like It Is

SEC's big boys ready for their appetizers

The majority of the SEC teams open with what look like easy victories while a few take on more formidable opponents, and three of those are at neutral sites.

No. 3 Alabama plays No. 20 Wisconsin at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, No. 6 Auburn takes on Louisville in Atlanta, and Texas A&M faces No. 15 Arizona State at NRG Stadium Houston.

Without further ado, and with so many games, here are the picks for the first week of the season:

UTEP AT ARKANSAS

The Razorbacks will score on eight possessions. Alex Collins will rush for 196 yards, and Branden Allen will quiet his critics a little for a week, completing 19 of 25 passes for 241 yards. Arkansas 52-10

ASU AT USC

Initially, pun intended, this looked like a blowout. The Red Wolves could try to shorten the game with a solid running attack that burns the clock, even though ball control is not their style. Southern California would have trouble scoring if it isn't on the field, but the Trojans have more speed and more depth. USC 37-17

WISCONSIN VS. ALABAMA

Coach Paul Chryst opens his regime with a resounding loss. Not sure what qualified him for this promotion, considering the guy was 19-19 in three seasons at Pittsburgh. Nick Saban loses to nonconference opponents about as often as someone brags they were on the Ashley Madison website. Alabama 42-10

LOUISVILLE VS. AUBURN

This might be the Air Force Bowl. The Cardinals and Tigers might pass for 1,000 yards combined, but in the end Bobby Petrino's defense won't be good enough. Auburn 49-35

NEW MEXICO STATE AT FLORIDA

The Aggies present Florida's new coach, Jim McElwain, with a parade route to the end zone. New Mexico State is 11-50 over the past five seasons, 3-22 on the road. It gets swamped. Florida 49-0

LA.-MONROE AT GEORGIA

Even though some of the players are still there, this is not the Warhawks team that beat the Razorbacks 34-31 in overtime in 2012, one of the lowest spots in UA football history. This is the only team that volunteered to play the Bulldogs and the Crimson Tide in the same year, which is lunacy. The Dogs will have a very balanced offense, and if opponents load the box to stop Nick Chubb they'll get burned by the pass. Georgia 56-17

LA.-LAFAYETTE AT KENTUCKY

Mark Hudspeth has won nine games in each of his four seasons with the Ragin' Cajuns and still can't get a better job. The Wildcats are trying to be something more than just a fall event for people to gather and talk about basketball, so they need to win this game. Almost went with an upset. Kentucky 21-20

MCNEESE STATE AT LSU

The Cowboys obviously need the money. Brandon Harris gets plenty of time to establish himself as the starting quarterback, and Leonard Fournette will make ESPN's highlight reel. LSU 42-0

TENN.-MARTIN AT OLE MISS

Obviously the Skyhawks need money too. The Rebels defense determines this season. Ole Miss 49-7

MSU AT SOUTHERN MISS

The Bulldogs are rebuilding with seven starters back from a 10-victory season, and this play date will be fun even on the road. The Golden Eagles are 4-32 over the past three seasons, and only two of the victories were at home. Mississippi State 35-6

SE MISSOURI AT MISSOURI

The Redhawks needed money. Missouri 45-3

BOWLING GREEN AT TENNESSEE

The Thriller in Knoxville. The Falcons have 10 offensive starters back from an eight-victory season. The Vols are desperate to make a statement. Tennessee 31-28

ARIZONA STATE VS. TEXAS A&M

This will not be an upset. The Aggies are still trying to prove there is life after Johnny Manziel. A&M has 16 starters back, but so do the Sun Devils, who were 10-3 last season. Arizona State 38-31

Sports on 09/04/2015

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