Top 2021 Nonconference SEC West College Football Games
Written by Ryan Wright
Twitter: @RyanWrightRNG
The regular slate of SEC West games is enough to “wow” the college football landscape, and the proof of talent shines brightest more times than not in the College Football Playoff. But is there more than can be done? The West side of the bracket has 28 nonconference games scheduled for the 2021 season. Of the 28 games, only 12 of are interest beyond the regional fanbase. Sadly, only three are truly national marque showdowns with just one having potential playoff implications.
The regular wear and tear on the body in the SEC dictates some “easier” games, but seeing Mercer and New Mexico State pop up repeatedly in “money” games is frustrating from a fan’s perspective. Furthermore, the nontraditional bluebloods (Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Ole Miss) are the main draws going outside of conference bringing the national spotlight with them. It is hard not to expect more from LSU and Texas A&M than UCLA and Colorado, respectively, in their nonconference schedule.
Alabama Crimson Tide
Sept. 4 vs. Miami at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
The Crimson Tide typically plays one tough nonconference team each season, but never does a home-and-home with that team instead opting for a neutral site game; a college football fan can make a case for and against this tactic. Alabama proves their worth in the long run via the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, but it is slightly embarrassing seeing Mercer, Southern Miss, and New Mexico State on their 2021 nonconference schedule.
Arkansas Razorbacks
Sept. 11 vs. Texas at Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, AR
Sept. 18 vs. Georgia Southern at Razorback Stadium – Fayetteville, AR
Arkansas has an ongoing rematch against an old Southwest Conference foe in Texas A&M every season colliding at AT&T Stadium in the “Southwest Classic.” The Hogs charge up the Hot Tub Time Machine for SWC romps against Rice and Texas to start the season. With Steve Sarkisian now the head coach of the Longhorns, he will have familiarity with Arkansas’ schemes as the former OC at Alabama to make matters even more interesting. Seeing a Sun Belt Conference team on the list may surprise the casual fan, but the Eagles are a tough program with nine or more wins in three of the last seven seasons and are coming off an 8-5 campaign with a lot of starters back.
Auburn Tigers
Sept. 18 at Penn State – Beaver Stadium – State College, PA
After back-to-back 7-6 seasons to start his tenure with the Nittany Lions, James Franklin posted a 42-11 record over the next four campaigns. Was it the odd year or a sign of things to come, but PSU is coming off their first four-win season since 2004. Starting with Akron and Alabama State will help the new coaching staff but does little to up the cache of the SEC’s strength of schedule.
LSU Tigers
Sept. 4 at UCLA – Rose Bowl – Pasadena, CA
Jim Mora had a great first four years in Westwood (2012-15) but the Bruins have not posted a winning season since. Chip Kelly has 10 wins in three seasons at UCLA; this is a do or die kind of year for the Bruins’ staff. The Tigers’ other three nonconference games are a drag for fans seeing McNeese State, Central Michigan, and Louisiana-Monroe at home.
Mississippi State Bulldogs
Sept. 4 vs. Louisiana Tech at Davis Wade Stadium – Starkville, MS
Sept. 11 vs. NC State at Davis Wade Stadium – Starkville, MS
Sept. 18 at Memphis – Liberty Bowl – Memphis, TN
If the 2021 nonconference schedule was made by former head coach Dan Mullen, Mike Leach has reasons to complain going into Year 2 in Starkville. The Bulldogs have one of the toughest schedules in the nation with games against Louisiana Tech, NC State, and Memphis. The silver lining, LA Tech and NC State are at home. The bad news, those first three games roll into facing LSU, Texas A&M on the road, and Alabama.
Ole Miss Rebels
Sept. 6 vs. Louisville at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
Sept. 18 vs. Tulane at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium – Oxford, MS
Nov. 6 vs. Liberty at Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta, GA
College football fans in the state of Mississippi can argue which program has a tougher schedule, MSU or Ole Miss, and both could be right. The Rebels open with a neutral site game against Louisville, have a reprieve against Austin Peay and then welcome Tulane before leaving for Tuscaloosa. The oddity in the details, the Louisville game is on a Monday night with a five-day turnaround seeing the Governors. Seeing a fired-up Liberty team coached by Hugh Freeze in November is of no comfort. If head coach Lane Kiffin does not extinguish the Flames with authority fans will talk.
Texas A&M Aggies
Sept. 11 vs. Colorado at Empower Field at Mile High – Denver, CO
The Aggies fulfill the playing of D-I teams on the schedule, but do so in a paltry way. The first three games are against Kent State, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Buffaloes have been on the proverbial ropes since the end of the Gary Barnett era (1999-2005) while still part of the Big 12. The adjustment to life in the Pac-12 since 2011 has not gone well with only one winning season (2016). Colorado has their third head coach in as many seasons with Karl Dorrell ready to turn the fortunes around after Mel Tucker was one-and-done on his way to Michigan State. The fourth nonconference game for A&M is Prairie View A&M on Nov. 20. Even the Aggie faithful have to be disappointed by this lineup.
Photo credit: The Clarion-Ledger; Mike Leach arrives at MSU