It’s been a long eight months without SEC football, a lot has changed, yet a lot stays the same. During a year of uncertainty and just downright negativity, it’s finally game week! We made it! Through Hurricanes, a global pandemic, and several other social issues, it’s finally game week for the Southeastern Conference. With a new season comes new storylines to watch out for, including three in particular that stick out.

First, we focus our attention on Terry Wilson and the Kentucky Wildcats. Is this the year that Mark Stoops and his Wildcats finally make it to Atlanta? Last season, the Wildcats were led by Lynn Bowden, who took over at quarterback after Terry Wilson went down with a season-ending injury in the Eastern Michigan game. This year, Mark Stoops has his best team ever with Terry Wilson back leading the charge, and an offensive line that some have ranked to be the best in the SEC. Unlike years past, Kentucky also has the depth at every position group to compete against the elite within the conference. The Wildcats will open their season on Saturday on the road against the 8th ranked Auburn Tigers. If Kentucky can find a way to win that game, things in Lexington would immediately get interesting.

Next up, we head south to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where Nick Saban and his team look to reclaim their position as kings of the SEC. Last season was a bit of a disappointment for the Crimson Tide as they finished the season 11-2 overall and 6-2 in SEC play. The two losses were to two different rivals, one in early November to LSU, and one in the Iron Bowl to Auburn. Alabama comes into the 2020 season with a total of fourteen starters returning, eight of those on offense, and six on the defensive side of the ball. The Crimson Tide offense will run through Najee Harris in the backfield and Mac Jones at quarterback. Alabama opens the season on the road as they head to Missouri to take on the Tigers. If history has taught us anything at all, it’s that Nick Saban always has his team out for blood, especially after a disappointing year like they had last season. The rematch with LSU will be played on November 14th, at Bryant Denny Stadium.

Lastly, is this the year that Texas AM finally proves that they belong at the big boy table? Or will it be another year full of lofty preseason expectation with little to nothing to show for it? On paper, Jimbo Fisher and his staff have one of the best teams in the SEC, but we’ve heard that before with the Aggies. However, this Texas A&M team is different, they return eighteen starters from last season, including eight on offense and nine on defense. Including in that is a star quarterback in Kellen Mond. Mond has been with the program for four years and has learned the Jimbo Fisher way of doing things. For Jimbo, this season is about proving he belongs in the SEC, so far in his two years as head coach he’s gone 17-9 overall, with zero SEC championships, but has two impressive bowl wins to his record. Texas A&M will open its season on Saturday night at home against Vanderbilt, which is the final tuneup for the Aggies before a massive week two road matchup with the Alabama Crimson Tide.

As a new SEC football season rolls around, it’s important as the fans that you remain patient and honestly expect the unexpected this season. With only ten games all of which being conference games, this season is bound to be wacky and downright insane when you get down to it. With that being said, enjoy the ride, and celebrate the return of college football to the Southeastern Conference.