We’ve officially arrived at the best time of the year. The first real college football Saturday of 2026 is rapidly approaching, and the SEC begins its journey to the College Football Playoff with a majority of its teams playing in warm up games.
We’ve officially arrived at the best time of the year. The first real college football Saturday of 2026 is rapidly approaching, and the SEC begins its journey to the College Football Playoff with a majority of its teams playing in warm up games.
Each week, the Auburn Roundtable team will be picking the SEC games and seeing if they can have the best record by the end of the year!
Arkansas-Pine Bluff vs. Missouri
NOTE: These picks were made before the game took place on Thursday.
ZAC BLACKERBY: Mizzou 54 APB 14
CHRISTIAN RAUH: Mizzou should blow these guys out.
TREY LEE: Austin Simmons shines in his debut in the black and gold. Missouri 56 Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10
MICHAEL BRAUNER: Missouri 63-Arkansas-Pine Bluff 10
UTEP vs. Oklahoma
ZAC: We see John Mateer get a solid first half in. Oklahoma 45 UTEP 3
CHRISTIAN: Oklahoma. Backups should get some good playing time here. 41-6
TREY: Oklahoma fires on all cylinders to start the year 1-0. Oklahoma 45 UTEP 3
MICHAEL: Oklahoma 52-UTEP 10
East Carolina vs. Alabama
ZAC: Alabama takes care of this one easily. Alabama 35 ECU 17
CHRISTIAN: Alabama will win. But they won’t cover. ECU is a better team than they are given credit for. Alabama 31, ECU 21
TREY: Year 3 of Kalen DeBoer starts better than Year 2 did. Alabama 49 ECU 10
MICHAEL: Alabama 35-East Carolina 7
Kent State vs. South Carolina
ZAC: Kent is not a state and this isn't a close game. USC 45 Kent State 7
CHRISTIAN: Shane Beamer struggled with Old Dominion a few years to begin the season, that won’t happen here. South Carolina. 44-10
TREY: LaNorris Sellers scores 4 TDs - 2 rushing and 2 passing. South Carolina 38 Kent State 17
MICHAEL: South Carolina 42-Kent State 6
Youngstown State vs. Kentucky
ZAC: Youngstown is also not a state. Kentucky 35 YSU 13
CHRISTIAN: Lets see what Will Stein is made of! Kentucky wins 28-14
TREY: Youngstown is not a state. Will Stein Era begins in Lexington. Kentucky 31 Youngstown State 0
MICHAEL: Kentucky 31-Youngstown State 13
Tennessee State vs. Georgia
ZAC: Tennessee is a state and Georgia runs the ball like crazy here. UGA 45 Tennessee State 3
CHRISTIAN: Georgia always starts these games slow early in the season. It won't get out of hand until the second half. UGA 38-6
TREY: 2 defensive TDs for the Dawgs here. They score early and often. Georgia 63 Tennessee State 6
MICHAEL: Georgia 63-Tennessee State 0
Texas State vs. Texas
ZAC: Arch Manning has a fun first half. I'm sure Cam Coleman will give people a highlight. Texas 45 Texas State 10
CHRISTIAN: Texas State's offense is way better than people give it credit for. They keep it close. Texas Longhorns 35-24
TREY: I think this one is close in the first quarter and then the Longhorns run away with it behind Raleek Brown and Hollywood Smothers. Texas 45 Texas State 21
MICHAEL: Texas 45-Texas State 10
Furman vs. Tennessee
ZAC: Tennessee gets their offense going with their new freshman quarterback and they let him make a statement. Tennessee 35 Furman 10
CHRISTIAN: This is going to be a blowout. Vols win 56-10
TREY: Faizon Brandon shines in his debut. Tennessee 52 Furman 0
MICHAEL: Tennessee 34-Furman 6
Baylor vs. Auburn
ZAC: Auburn brings in the Alex Golesh era with a solid win. Auburn 34 Baylor 17
CHRISTIAN: The Alex Golesh era will begin STRONG. Auburn 44-14
TREY: Auburn shuts out Baylor in the second half to kick off the Alex Golesh era. Auburn 34 Baylor 13
MICHAEL: Auburn 24-Baylor 19
North Alabama vs. Arkansas
ZAC: Good for Arkansas. Arkansas 45 North Alabama 17
CHRISTIAN: Arkansas will also get a nice jumpstart with their new coach. Arkansas 38-14
TREY: KJ Jackson has a stellar day for the Hogs in Ryan Silverfield's debut. Arkansas 49 North Alabama 10
MICHAEL: Arkansas 45-North Alabama 16
Missouri State vs. Texas A&M
ZAC: Marcel Reed gets things going against a defense where he can do whatever he wants. TAMU 42 Miss State 12
CHRISTIAN: Elko wins, but CFP hangover questions remain. A&M 34-17
TREY: Mario Craver has over 200 all-purpose yards and its all Aggies here. Texas A&M 49 Missouri State 17
MICHAEL: Texas A&M 56-Missouri State 10
Austin Peay vs. Vanderbilt
ZAC: I'm predicting it take Vandy a second to get going then they run away with it in the second half. Vandy 35 Austin Peay 20
CHRISTIAN: Vandy wins and both QBs play 44-14
TREY: I think we see a little glimpse of Jared Curtis after the Commodores put this one to bed early. Vanderbilt 42 Austin Peay 10
MICHAEL: Vanderbilt 35-Austin Peay 10
Clemson vs. LSU
ZAC: LSU wins without NFL players. I have questions about Clemson's offense. LSU 28 Clemson 14
CHRISTIAN: Too many distractions for LSU this week, but they still find a way. LSU 27-24
TREY: The real Death Valley awakens and kicks off the Kiffin Era with a blowout win. LSU 49 Clemson 17
MICHAEL: LSU 23-Clemson 13
ULM vs. Mississippi State
ZAC: This one is going to be important for Mississippi State. They roll them. Miss State 53 ULM 13
CHRISTIAN: Mississippi State shows off an improved defense 35-10
TREY: This will be the best helmet matchup across CFB this week. The game will not be close. Mississippi State 52 ULM 0
MICHAEL: MS State 31-ULM 3
FAU vs. Florida
ZAC: Florida fans are going to love this game. Florida 45 FAU 10
CHRISTIAN: Quarterback concerns will linger after this week, but Gators win week 1, 31-14
TREY: Both QBs get a chance to play, and there begins to be rumblings who should be the starter going forward after Sumrall gets his first win in orange and blue. Florida 38 FAU 21
MICHAEL: Florida 31-FAU 6
Louisville vs. Ole Miss
ZAC: I have no idea what to do with this game. Ole Miss 28 Louisville 17
CHRISTIAN: This could be the best game of the week. I believe in Trinadad Chambliss. Ole Miss 31-27
TREY: This will be the best game of the week - back and forth battle that culminates with a Kewan Lacey touchdown to ice it for the Rebels. Ole Miss 35 Louisville 31
MICHAEL: Louisville 28-Ole Miss 24
Drop your predictions down below and see if you can pick better than the team!
