Top 2021 Nonconference SEC East College Football Games
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
When the 2021 college football season gets into full swing on Saturday, Sept. 4, there should be a national cathartic feeling with life returning to normalcy. The tailgating will be lively, the stadiums will be full, and fans will be hungry for live action. As always, the SEC will help lead the way back to the norm with their regular slate of games mixed with cross-divisional matchups and a schedule full of top nonconference opponents. The fall lineup in the East has a heavy ACC flavor.
Of the 28 nonconference games scheduled in the SEC East, nine should feed the rabid fanbases missing out on that extra drama a given college football season provides; seven of those games courtesy of the ACC. Of the nine top games, two will grab national spotlight with one potentially dictating how the College Football Playoff Committee views the four at-large bids. The opening weekend drama is in North Carolina with Clemson meeting up with Georgia. The end of season excitement has Florida State heading to Gainesville taking on the Gators.
Top 2021 SEC East Nonconference Games
Florida
Nov. 27 vs. Florida State at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium – Gainesville, FL
Florida seeks to unofficially rule the Sunshine State with nonconference games against Florida Atlantic, South Florida, and Florida State. With any luck, the Gators will clash against the Hurricanes in a bowl game to tie up the loose end.
Georgia
Sept. 4 vs. Clemson at Bank of America Stadium – Charlotte, NC
Nov. 27 at Georgia Tech – Bobby Dodd Stadium – Atlanta, GA
Georgia takes on two big ACC adversaries in Clemson to start the 2021 season and Georgia Tech to end the regular season in the “Clean, Old-Fashion Hate” showdown. Of all the opening day games, all of college football will be focused on Bank of America Stadium to see how this one turns out. Georgia rounds out their nonconference schedule with UAB and Charleston Southern. Before the “haters” get going on SEC teams, Clemson’s nonconference schedule includes South Carolina State and UConn.
Kentucky
Nov. 27 at Louisville – Cardinal Stadium – Louisville, KY
Kentucky is doing their best to pad the 2021 win-loss record, but doing so without regard to their typical recruiting areas. Hard to phantom lining up against Louisiana-Monroe, Chattanooga, and New Mexico State does anything extra to help add top recruits besides posting a victory on the board. The Wildcats’ marque game is taking on in-state rival Louisville in the Governor’s Cup.
Missouri
Sept. 25 at Boston College – Alumni Stadium – Chestnut Hill, MA
Missouri is another SEC East team propping up the season via their nonconference schedule taking on Central Michigan, Southeast Missouri State, and North Texas. The draw is playing the ACC’s Boston College, but the Eagles have not been a power since the Tom O’Brien and Jeff Jagodzinski days (2001-08).
South Carolina
Oct. 2 vs. Troy at Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, SC
Nov. 27 vs. Clemson at Williams-Brice Stadium – Columbia, SC
Since 2011, when Dabo Swinney made the proverbial turn in his third season with the Tigers into a national power, this in-state showdown has been one of the top nonconference games in the SEC. The Gamecocks verses the Tigers series has turned into one of streaks with USC winning five straight (2009-13) then the tables turned in Clemson’s favor riding a six-game winning streak (2014-19). Troy’s rise from an independent in the early 2000’s to a Sun Belt power has been impactful on the game. The Trojans three-year run (2016-18) under Neal Brown (31-8) had this G5 program playing like a P5, but the 10-13 run the last two seasons under Chip Lindsey has college football wondering.
Tennessee
Sept. 11 vs. Pittsburgh at Neyland Stadium – Knoxville, TN
Another ACC team on the SEC docket. Pitt is one of those teams where the opposition never quite knows what they are getting. The Panthers haven’t come close to their glory days of the mid-70’s to early 80’s with just one 10-win season (2009) since 1981. Bowling Green, Tennessee Tech, and South Alabama can help Josh Heupel get to a bowl game in Year 1.
Vanderbilt
Sept. 18 vs. Stanford at Vanderbilt Stadium – Nashville, TN
The Commodores welcoming Stanford was set up for former head coach Derek Mason, who is now the DC at Auburn. New head coach Clark Lea begins his tenure in Nashville seeing East Tennessee State, travels to Colorado State, and then plays host to the Cardinal. After Stanford, Vandy hosts Georgia and UConn before leaving for The Swamp.
Photo credit: Bulldawg Illustrated; No. 18 JT Daniels