Early games tipping points for SEC football teams
By Ronald Evans
- LSU Bengal Tigers - Brian Kelly's team has a season opener against USC that can establish it as a title contender. A loss would be a missed opportunity. But, it will be mid-October before LSU is seriously threatened by another opponent.
- Mississippi State Bulldogs - The 2024 season could be a tough one in Starkville. Five to seven wins is the ESPN projection. Reaching seven likely hinges on a win at home over Florida on Sept. 21.
- Missouri Tigers - The Tigers should reach October at 4-0, with wins over Murray State, Buffalo, Boston College, and Vanderbilt. After a bye week, a win in College Station would be a major boost toward reaching Atlanta.
- Ole Miss Rebels - Lane Kiffin's team should start 6-0, with a home win over Kentucky and a road win against South Carolina. An Oct. 12 game in Baton Rouge will have Playoff implications for the Rebels and the LSU Tigers.
- Oklahoma Sooners - The second half of Oklahoma's season is so tough, that a chance to reach more than eight wins likely will require a September home win over Tennessee and a road win against Auburn.