Growing up, I was always envious of the College GameDay crew. Every Saturday from August to December, they'd get to wake up in a different city, get to experience a different rabid crowd, and breathe in the best gridiron action the week had to offer. That was my dream as a kid, and it still is. There's nothing more I'd give than to be able to live that life.
However, I cannot say that I possess the funds, frequent flier miles, or Marriott points to endure such an odyssey. CFB 25 doesn't even come out for another month and a half, so I cannot vicariously live that journey through the pixels of my TV. So alas, use this piece as a blueprint for the SEC fall of your dreams.
And if you can make it work, all the power in the world to you.
A few ground rules: Every game has to FEATURE an SEC opponent, but not every game has to be HOSTED by an SEC school. Each SEC school can only host one game. No return trips on this itinerary. No neutral site games, with a few VERY obvious exceptions.
And on that note, we shall begin with...
WEEK 1: Notre Dame @ Texas A&M
There's nowhere better to kick this list off than the home of the 12th Man.
The storylines here are aplenty: Mike Elko's first game as A&M's new head honcho (and facing his QB from his Duke days in Riley Leonard), a Notre Dame team coming into a crucial juncture for Irish HC Marcus Freeman.
You'll be under the lights (a 7:30 ABC kickoff and College GameDay are already confirmed for this contest) in the South Texas heat, swaying along with 100,000+ of your closest friends. It's a perfect way to kickstart an epic fall.
WEEK 2: Texas @ Michigan
The Texas heat too strong for you?
Week 2 shall take you to the Big House for a clash of two titans. Last year's National Champions versus a fellow Playoff team, and it's Texas's first big test as a member of the SEC. A massive test is in store for Longhorn QB Quinn Ewers, as despite massive turnover on Michigan's roster, their defense should be as stout as ever under new Head Coach Sherrone Moore.
It's a dream non-conference showdown to attend, and one that will likely serve as an early Playoff barometer for both squads.
Week 3: Georgia @ Kentucky
Week 3 of this journey takes us to the Bluegrass State. Kentucky hasn't defeated Georgia on the gridiron since 2009, but under the bright lights of Kroger Field, who's to say that Mark Stoops' squad can't do the unthinkable this time around?
Yeah, I know, fat chance. But at the very least, it will be an early chance to see the #1 team in the country, but it will not be your last time callin' the Dawgs.
Week 4: Tennessee @ Oklahoma
Norman, Oklahoma is an SEC town now. And the first brave souls of the conference to experience Memorial Stadium in all its SEC glory will be Josh Heupel's Tennessee Volunteers.
This game's main storyline will revolve around a pair of sophomore shot-callers, as Tennessee's Nico Iamaleava will be tasked with outdueling OU's Jackson Arnold. Oklahoma's offensive line will also be heavily tested out of the gate, as you'll get your first glimpse of star Volunteer pass-rusher James Pearce.
This one should be plenty fun.
Week 5: Georgia @ Alabama
It's Bama-Georgia. Need I say more?
Probably not. But watching new Bama coach Kalen DeBoer match up against the best of the best should be as intriguing a draw on its own. Need any other reason to make the pilgrimage to this one? It's the first time Georgia will be visiting a non-COVID crowd Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2007 (anybody remember the Britney Spears game??). This one is a must.
Week 6: Ole Miss @ South Carolina
This was a tough one to pick, but I've settled on a matchup between two offensive masterminds in Shane Beamer and Lane Kiffin. It's a make-or-break season in Columbia, SC, and I'm sure the atmosphere will be fun for this one. And with Jaxson Dart and a bevy of transfers lighting up the scoreboard for the Rebels?
Yeah, this is the perfect pick for Week 6. Besides, it will be worth the journey for "Sandstorm" alone.
Week 7: Oklahoma vs Texas (Dallas, TX)
The first SEC Red River Showdown was an easy pick for Week 7. With this game getting bumped from its' traditional 11 AM kick to a 2:30 slot, you have an extra few hours to down some more brewskis and gorge on fried food at the Texas State Fair, before watching a game that is more often than not a classic.
It's Red River. You know you'll get your money's worth here.
Week 8: Georgia @ Texas
Texas definitely has to run through a gauntlet in their inaugural SEC campaign, and that includes a visit from the Dawgs (will they have a loss on their ledger by this point? Who knows). DKR will surely be bumping, as the eyes of more than just Texas will be upon this showdown.
The Sark vs Kirby chess match when Texas has the ball will be of particular intrigue.
Week 9: Oklahoma @ Ole Miss
This list wouldn't be complete without a trip to the Grove for a legendary tailgate experience, but that is just the precursor for what will be an offensive showdown between two squads that love to put up points in bunches.
Over bettors will be in heaven for this contest in Oxford.
Week 10: Kentucky @ Tennessee
Even with Florida-Georgia on tap, Rocky Top is the move for Week 10. These two schools do not like each other. At ALL. And simply, I wasn't going to leave a trip to Knoxville out of this journey.
Week 11: Oklahoma @ Missouri
Look, there's a ton of OU on this list. I get it. But bear with me on this one over LSU-Bama. Missouri is returning one of the most talented teams in the country, and the eyes of CoMo are dead set on this clash with an old Big 8 foe. The storylines for this one are beyond juicy.
Two of Mizzou's best players (WR Theo Wease and OT Cayden Green) are ex-Sooners. Star WR Luther Burden was an OU commit as well, and OU recently lost out on 5 Star DL Williams Nwaneri to Eli Drinkwitz's Tigers too. The Sooners will be out for blood, and Faurot Field will be rocking.
Trust me on this one.
Week 12: Tennessee @ Georgia
There was no way I was leaving Athens off this list either. Finally we make it in between the Hedges. It should be a good one too. Josh Heupel's high-powered offense vs Georgia's smothering defense always makes for a fun contrast in play styles. This one always has major implications.
Week 13: Texas A&M @ Auburn
How significant will this contest on the Plains be? Could it be a fight for bowl eligibility or something bigger? Who knows. But per usual, Jordan-Hare will for an electric atmosphere in what might be a win-or-else game for Auburn HC Hugh Freeze. War Damn Eagle.
Week 14: Oklahoma @ LSU
The home stretch brings us to the Bayou. Finally, we've made it to Death Valley. LSU is such an intriguing team this year, and QB Garrett Nussmeier has been tasked to take over the reigns for a Tiger legend in Jayden Daniels. There's a very realistic chance this is a de-facto elimination game for the 12-team Playoff.
One can only hope they let the band play Neck.
Week 15: SEC Championship (Atlanta)
Of course. Was there really any other way to end this?