Fansided

Ranking the 10 best ESPN college football games on 2016 opening weekend

By Jason Parker

Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Mississippi Rebels quarterback Chad Kelly (10) looks to throw a pass against the Oklahoma State Cowboys in the second quarter of the 2016 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Will Muschamp on the sidelines during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers defensive coordinator Will Muschamp on the sidelines during the first quarter at Jordan Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Shanna Lockwood-USA TODAY Sports /

No. 10 – South Carolina at Vanderbilt (Thursday, September 1st at 8 PM on ESPN)

True, this may be the one game out of the 10 best that will get a roll of the eyes from outside SEC country, but the Gamecocks are going to be starting off the Will Muschamp era with a road game against a conference foe that, quite frankly, could be surprisingly good or as bad as expected.

After being let go by the Florida Gators following four seasons that fans would like to forget, Muschamp parlayed a year of disappointment as the defensive coordinator of the Auburn Tigers into another head coaching job. The cupboard is pretty bare in Columbia this season, so a 7-5 campaign would be enough to get him a long-term deal.

Meanwhile, the Commodores have for a long time been the school that helps the conference when it comes to academics and scheduling who they will play their homecoming games against. For head coach Derek Mason, this year’s Vandy team may not be one that will travel to Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game in December, but could easily be in a bowl game at season’s end.

Next: Hawaii at Michigan

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