Alabama Football: 22 September ‘make or break’ games among 22 teams

SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: The Alabama Crimson Tide mascot "Big Al" is seen prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA - JANUARY 07: The Alabama Crimson Tide mascot "Big Al" is seen prior to the CFP National Championship against the Clemson Tigers presented by AT&T at Levi's Stadium on January 7, 2019 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
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KNOXVILLE, TN – NOVEMBER 17: Tre Williams #93 of the Missouri Tigers pressures quarterback Keller Chryst #19 of the Tennessee Volunteers during the second half of the game between the Missouri Tigers and the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Missouri won the game 50-17. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)

South Carolina at Missouri

Missouri has a favorable schedule in 2019. South Carolina does not. The Tigers have at least nine winnable games in 2019. There are not so many for the  Gamecocks who get Alabama, at Georgia, at TAMU and Clemson around the rest of their SEC East schedule. A win will be big for either team. A loss could severely damage Muschamp’s message is team is building success.

Tennessee at Florida

There is no reason to believe the Vols, in Jeremy Pruitt’s second season, can go into the Swamp and win. That makes the game a must-win one for Dan Mullen and the Gators.

Kentucky at Mississippi State

The cross-division games don’t matter as much for teams who will not be in their own division hunt. Don’t tell that to Mark Stoops or Joe Moorhead. The Wildcats soundly defeated the Bulldogs last season. For Joe Moorhead, that can’t happen again in Starkville this fall.

Auburn at Texas A&M

The Aggies narrowly lost in Auburn last November. The loser of this season’s game will be effectively eliminated from a shot at an SEC West title unless it can later win against Alabama football. The Aggies face Clemson early, have the Tide and Auburn at home, plus LSU and Georgia on the road. Such a tough schedule demands no more than one home loss.