Western Division:
No. 2 LSUThis week: at Mississippi State2006 record: 11-2
LSU coach Les Miles enters his third season in Baton Rouge with lofty expectations.
Despite losing four players to the first-round of this year’s NFL draft, the Tigers begin this season ranked No. 2 – their highest ranking since their 2003 National Championship season.
“When you talk to people outside of where we prepare for football, it seems to come out of their minds very quickly that the season is starting, and they’re ready for college football,” Miles said. “It’s a great time of the year.”
No. 18 AuburnThis week: vs. Kansas State2006 record: 11-2
Auburn begins its 2007 schedule with four consecutive home games – including Saturday’s contest with Kansas State – before having to play Florida, Georgia, LSU and Arkansas on the road. The Kansas State won seven games this past season and Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville said his team will have to play well in order to defeat its Big 12 opponent.
No. 21 Arkansas This week: vs. Troy2006 record: 10-4
The defending Southeastern Conference Western Division champions open their season having to replace quarterback Mitch Mustain who transferred to Southern California during the offseason.
But the Razorbacks return two 1,000-yard rushers from this past season, junior Darren McFadden and junior Felix Jones, both of whom are on the 2007 Doak Walker Award watch list.
AlabamaThis week: vs. W. Carolina2006 record: 6-7
The Nick Saban era in Tuscaloosa finally begins Saturday night when the Crimson Tide kickoff their season against Western Carolina.
This season has been one of the most anticipated in school history with an NCAA record crowd of more than 92,000 fans piling into Bryant-Denny Stadium to watch the team’s spring scrimmage.
“We certainly appreciate the passion and the spirit we have been welcomed with,” Saban said. “But at the same time, we’re just trying to get our football team better. I am glad that now the focus will be more on the opening game.”
Ole MissThis week: at Memphis2006 record: 4-8
The Rebels open against Memphis for the fourth straight season, having won the previous two meetings in the series.
Senior Seth Adams is the Rebels new starting quarterback, replacing senior Brent Schaeffer who has moved to wide receiver.
Mississippi StateThis week: vs. No. 2 LSU2006 record: 3-9
The Bulldogs lost four games by three points or less this past season, en route to a 3-9 overall record.
This year’s squad opens the season against the nation’s No. 2 team in LSU.
Despite being 18-point underdogs Mississippi State, coach Sylvester Croom said his team is lucky to have the opportunity to play the Tigers early in the season.
Eastern Division:
No. 6 FloridaThis week: vs. Western Kentucky2006 record: 13-1
The Gators take the field Saturday for the first time since defeating Ohio State in the Bowl Championship Series National Championship game Jan. 8.
Sophomore quarterback Tim Tebow takes the reins under center for the Gators, replacing four-year starter Chris Leak.
Gators coach Urban Meyer said Florida placed an emphasis this offseason on trying to build on this past season’s success.
“I love to study programs with great success,” Meyer said. “[Patriots coach] Bill Belichick is a great friend, and I have used him, and I have the best in the business right across the building in Billy Donovan, but our [situation] is so different because we have lost so many players.”
No. 13 Georgia This week: vs. Oklahoma State2006 record: 9-4
The Bulldogs had an up-and-down season in 2006, winning their first five games before losing four of the team’s last eight games.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said he expects sophomore quarterback Matthew Stafford to rebound after throwing only seven touchdowns and 13 interceptions this past season.
No. 15 TennesseeThis week: at No. 12 California2006 record: 9-4
The Volunteers are the only SEC team to open the season against a nationally-ranked opponent when they travel to face No. 12 California.
Senior quarterback Eric Ainge’s status for Saturday is uncertain after jamming his finger during Tuesday’s practice.
KentuckyThis week: vs. Eastern Kentucky2006 record: 8-5
Kentucky won its first bowl game in 22 years this past season when the Wildcats defeated Clemson 28-20 in the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl. Preseason All-SEC senior quarterback Andre Woodson hopes to bring the Wildcats back to the postseason after throwing 31 touchdown passes his junior season.
South CarolinaThis week: vs. Louisiana-Lafayette2006 record: 8-5
The Gamecocks will begin their season Saturday without senior quarterback Blake Mitchell who was suspended this past week for missing summer school classes.
Redshirt freshman Chris Smelley and sophomore Tommy Beecher are expected to fill in for South Carolina, who is 15-10 under third-year coach Steve Spurrier.
VanderbiltThis week: vs. Richmond2006 record: 4-8
Vanderbilt won only one conference game this past season, but the Commodores were only beaten by more than 12 points once in their eight SEC games.
Junior quarterback Chris Nickson will start for the Commodores after throwing for more than 2,000 yards this past season while also rushing for just under 694 yards with nine touchdowns.
—-Contact Casey Gisclair at [email protected]