SEC Football: 10 SEC trap games for the 2023 season
By Ronald Evans
Sept. 23 – Mississippi State at South Carolina
Zach Arnett is undefeated as a head coach, after moving up before the Bulldogs’ bowl game last season. He will not be undefeated when the Bullies travel to South Carolina. No Mike Leach and no Air Raid mean the Gamecocks may not have seen all of State’s new offense in its first three games. South Carolina should be better than Mississippi State. But State gets Shane Beamer’s team a week after Georgia and a week before Tennessee. That is a main ingredient in the recipe for a trap game. After a loss to LSU and with another loss ahead, to Alabama Football on Sept. 30, beating the Gamecocks should be a high priority for Arnett.
Sept. 30 – Missouri at Vanderbilt
The Tigers will be favored. But for the Dores, week four against Kentucky and week five against Missouri are pivotal games. It is possible Vanderbilt with an upset against either the Wildcats or the Tigers, could be 4-2 at the halfway point of the regular season. I predict at least one upset by Clark Lea’s team and Missouri could be one.
Oct. 7 – Arkansas at Ole Miss
The Rebels could be licking some wounds after back-to-back losses to LSU and Alabama. Arkansas has too much talent at quarterback and running back, for the Ole Miss defense to throttle back from the frustration of two consecutive losses.
Oct. 7 – LSU at Missouri
Heading to Missouri, LSU could be 5-0 and riding a high poll ranking. The Bengal Tigers should win, but if they are flat, Missouri with some luck could pull off an upset. Missouri has a veteran defense. If the offense is more productive in 2023, Missouri can sneak up on a team or two. Brady Cook is good enough at QB to win games and he has talented receivers. If Missouri develops a running game, it will be much improved. Georgia only won by four points in Columbia last season.