SEC Football: 10 SEC trap games for the 2023 season

The top four SEC football teams in 2023 are expected to be championship contenders. And also more than good enough to be far better than whatever SEC football team eventually becomes the fifth-best team. Pundits, experts and open-minded fans agree the top four will be Alabama, Georgia, LSU and Tennessee.

It is generally believed the next four or so teams will have little to separate them. Those teams are Texas A&M, Arkansas, Ole Miss and South Carolina. It could be that Kentucky, Auburn, and Mississippi State should be added to the mid-tier grouping. Which leaves Missouri, Florida and Vanderbilt.

There are reasons to believe Florida and Missouri will show marked improvement in 2023. The Missouri defense is solid and the Tigers have a capable quarterback. The Gators have enough talent to surprise some teams. Clark Lea has performed well at Vandy. He could possibly get the Dores to six wins in 2023.

Predicting trap games in advance of a season is fanciful. Even defining a trap game is imprecise. It is generally perceived to be when an opponent ‘sneaks up’ on a favored team and pulls off an upset. Such games can be lost due to taking an opponent too lightly and not adequately preparing during the week. Luck, especially bad luck, can also be the tipping point in a trap game.

10 Potential SEC Football Trap Games

Sept. 16 – Tennessee at Florida

The Gators were 6-7 last season and won only three SEC games. Tennessee was beginning to build early momentum when the Vols beat Florida 38-33 in Knoxville. The Gators’ enthusiasm for the new season should not be blunted by an opening-game loss to Utah, followed by an easy win over McNeese State. The Vols should not have much challenge in the opener against Virginia, followed by an easy win over Austin Peay. With no Hendon Hooker to lead the Tennessee offense, winning in The Swamp in week three is no lock.

Sept. 16 – Georgia Tech at Ole Miss

The Rambling Wreck from Georgia Tech should not upset Ole Miss in week three. Ole Miss destroyed them 42-0 in Atlanta last season. But the Yellow Jackets have improved. In their second-to-last game of 2022, Tech upset North Carolina. Kiffin teams can be up and down. Ole Miss could be looking ahead to Alabama the following week. If the Rebels presume they will easily get a repeat of last season, an upset could happen.