Opening SEC Week 1 Lines – See Spreads for All Seven Games

• The SEC opens its season with a seven-game slate on Saturday, Sept. 26th
• Alabama, Georgia and Texas A&M are all 20-plus point favorites
• Find all the opening point spreads, and early leans on the games within the story below

In just over a month, college football’s most dominant conference in recent history — the Southeastern Conference — will be back in earnest.

College football fans across the map likely have Saturday, Sept. 26 circled on their calendars, as that’s when the SEC will dive into its 10-game intra-conference slate.

Without further ado, here are the opening odds for those seven matchups, including three with spreads that are within two scores.

SEC Week 1 Opening Spreads and Odds

 Odds taken Aug. 20th

Any of these lines can (and likely will) shift a bit in the coming weeks, based on injuries and other trends. For now, let’s take a closer look at some of the tightest spreads in the SEC.

What’s Up With Rocky Top?

The Tennessee Volunteers are favored in their road matchup against South Carolina, but by less than a field goal. What gives, for a team that finished strong in 2019 and is returning a boatload of players?

Tennessee went 8-5 last season, capping the campaign with a five-game win streak (which started with a win against South Carolina and finished with a bowl victory against Indiana). The Vols return eight starters apiece on offense and defense, including fifth-year senior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano.

🎥🏈🍊Jarrett Guarantano finds Marquez Callaway for a touchdown to end the 1st half!

Watch it from my point of view⬇️👀#Vols pic.twitter.com/ixQ1hk9oQa

— Caleb Noe (@CalebNoeTV) November 10, 2018

Guarantano had an up-and-down season last year, but he at least has some stability now. For the first time in his college career, he’ll work with the same offensive coordinator and head coach in consecutive years.

South Carolina, meanwhile, went 4-8 last year and lost arguably their two most talented players in receiver Bryan Edwards and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw.

The Gamecocks return only 11 total starters after closing last season with four losses in their last five.

49ers defensive line adds a force 😤

San Francisco drafts South Carolina DT Javon Kinlaw with the No. 14 pick in the #NFLDraft

(➡️ @Bose 🎧) pic.twitter.com/UexC83U9Sx

— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) April 24, 2020

Suffice to say, this slim point spread doesn’t sit right. In such a strange season, bettors should be encouraged by a veteran quarterback like Guarantano, who will be able to settle in quickly.

Pick: Tennessee, -2 (-110)

Florida In Flux vs Ole Miss

Who is going to catch passes for the Florida Gators this year? They still have a handful of weeks to figure that out, but right now the receiving corps is in a dangerous state.

A quartet of 2019 seniors graduated, and three current receivers have recently sat out of practice due to concerns over COVID-19. That leaves five other wideouts on scholarship, who accounted for exactly two catches in 2019.

Perhaps that helps explain why Florida, one of the SEC’s powers last year, is barely a two-score favorite over Ole Miss. The Rebels are beginning the Lane Kiffin Era this season, which of course is challenged by the limitations that the pandemic have placed on the off-season.

DAMEON PIERCE TO THE HOUSE 💨 pic.twitter.com/aYZJHHkyZR

— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) October 19, 2019

With question marks around its receivers, Florida will have to ask more of running back Dameon Pierce (54 carries, 5.6 yards/rush, four touchdowns last year), who becomes the starter for the first time.

This is still a game Florida should absolutely win, but for now it has the makings of a grind-it-out game for the Gators. Bettors should either take the points for Kiffin and Co., or await further news on Florida’s receiving situation.

Pick: Ole Miss, +10.5 (-110)

Does Auburn Have the Edge?

It appears the Auburn Tigers will be able to make use of their home field advantage this year, to some extent, after the school announced Wednesday that it will allow 20 percent stadium capacity — set aside exclusively for Auburn students.

Good decision, Auburn, on allowing students to populate the 20% capacity.

They deserve those seats, and you don’t have to differentiate between donors, fans, etc.

And if you’re only going to have 20% capacity, you better make it as rowdy as possible.

— Justin Hokanson (@_JHokanson) August 19, 2020

The Tigers might need an edge like that, as they welcome Kentucky to town in their season opener. The Wildcats were a plucky 8-5 team last year (Auburn was 9-4) that rattled off four late wins in a row en route to a bowl victory.

Kentucky’s only road win, though, came against Vanderbilt. Not exactly awe-inspiring. They also had the worst passing offense in the SEC, and saw their most exciting offensive weapon (Lynn Bowden Jr.) move on to the NFL.

For Auburn, a dominant run-stopping team, Kentucky’s offensive tendencies are ideal. And yes, Auburn lost some big names to the NFL, but they return a few notable players as well — including first team All-SEC linebacker K.J. Britt.

#Auburn LB KJ Britt flashed in LSU game last year.

⬆️ Strong run defender with a knack for playing in a phone booth

⬆️ Tough kid; strong on contact

⬇️ Want to see more plays in coverage in 2020

In line for 1st-team All-SEC this year! #WarEagle https://t.co/eDpgJLJRyX pic.twitter.com/We5sW5NipO

— Fran Duffy (@EaglesXOs) June 17, 2020

Kentucky did not have a proven quarterback last year, and now they must turn to Terry Wilson (two touchdowns, 360 yards on 52 attempts in 2019). Meanwhile, Auburn puts the ball in the hands of Bo Nix, who set school records in yards and touchdowns as a freshman last season.

The matchup here is lopsided in Auburn’s favor, and bettors should take advantage.

Pick: Auburn, -9 (-110)