Ranking the SEC’s Top Non-Conference Matchups in 2024

5. Tennessee vs. NC State - September 7

The matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack loses a bit of luster because it is being played at sterile venue in Charlotte instead of on-campus but this should still be a very interesting contest. It will be the first real chance to see Nico Iamaleava and whether or not the Volunteer offense is ready to launch. It will also be the first chance to see Grayson McCall and KC Concepcion against an SEC defense featuring potential top five pick James Pearce. How easily Tennessee handles this game will determine how we should view the Vols as a threat for the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee (-4.5) vs. North Carolina State

2. Notre Dame at Texas A&M - August 31

The Mike Elko era in College Station kicks off with an absolute bang as the Texas A&M Aggies host the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 1. The Irish are a top ten team that always draws attention and eyeballs and Texas A&M is hoping Mike Elko is the guy that can help them break through after the failed Jimbo Fisher experiment. The two programs have played each other five times but the Irish have only been to Kyle Field on one previous occasion (2001). The quarterback matchup is a good one with Conner Weigman trying to take the next step in his development and Notre Dame hoping to get the best out of Riley Leonard. It’s the defenses that figure to have the upper hand early in this one though and the atmosphere should be among the nation’s best all season.

Texas A&M (-1.5) vs. Notre Dame

3. Miami at Florida - August 31

Very few early-season games will have as much pressure facing both teams as the clash between rivals Miami and Florida in The Swamp. Miami coach Mario Cristobal is under pressure to breakthrough and prove that he can do more than just assemble an impressive collection of talent. Florida head coach Billy Napier is on the hot seat and facing the nation’s toughest schedule. Thus, this opening weekend contest is a major pivot point for both squads. Will Cam Ward live up to the hype and establish himself as one of the country’s top quarterbacks with a strong road performance? Will Florida show their improvement in a critical year for Napier’s future? Add in the heated in-state rivalry component and the 3:30 kickoff with a temperature that will likely be somewhere around 1,000 degrees in Gainesville and this one is a must-watch.

Miami (-2.5) at Florida

4. Georgia vs. Clemson - August 31

The Georgia Bulldogs begin their quest for another national title with a neutral site game against the Clemson Tigers. The two schools are separated by only 80 miles and they have played several times including annual meetings in the 60s, 70s and 80s. The two most recent matchups have been wins for the Bulldogs in 2014 and 2021 (a 10-3 “defensive showdown”). Georgia will enter this matchup in Atlanta as the number one team in the nation and a two-touchdown favorite but it’s hard to know exactly what to expect from Georgia. There have been a ton of off-the-field legal problems for Kirby Smart’s team and there’s at least a small chance key players will be suspended for this game (although that seems unlikely). Plus the Bulldogs need to replace some key pieces of their offense. Clemson should have a very strong defense but the Tigers need to show they have figured out how to take care of the ball and produce explosive plays on offense in the second season for Garrett Riley at offensive coordinator.

Georgia (-13.5) vs. Clemson

5. Tennessee vs. NC State - September 7

The matchup between the Tennessee Volunteers and the North Carolina State Wolfpack loses a bit of luster because it is being played at sterile venue in Charlotte instead of on-campus but this should still be a very interesting contest. It will be the first real chance to see Nico Iamaleava and whether or not the Volunteer offense is ready to launch. It will also be the first chance to see Grayson McCall and KC Concepcion against an SEC defense featuring potential top five pick James Pearce. How easily Tennessee handles this game will determine how we should view the Vols as a threat for the College Football Playoff.

Tennessee (-4.5) vs. North Carolina State