SEC matchups

Western Kentucky

at Florida

Time: 12:30 p.m. (TV: WVLT)

Skinny: The defending national champion Gators begin 2007 with a totally revamped defense and the coronation of a new starting quarterback in Tim Tebow. It shouldn’t make a difference in this one. Western Kentucky went 6-5 a year ago, including a 48-12 season-opening loss to Georgia.

Key Players: All eyes in “The “Swamp” will be on Tebow as he replaces Chris Leak for the Gators. Andre Caldwell and speedster Percy Harvin give Tebow a couple of fast moving targets at receiver. The Hilltoppers will be led by Smyrna, Tenn., product David Wolke, a quarterback transfer from Notre Dame. WR Curtis Hamilton had 52 catches for 841 yards and 10 TDs for Western Kentucky a year ago.

Line: None.

Ole Miss at Memphis

Time: 3:30 (TV: CSS)

Skinny: Mississippi has won the past two meetings and owns a 44-10-2 series advantage in the border rivalry. Ed Orgeron begins his third season at the helm of the Rebels with a less-than-sterling 7-16 overall record. Two of those Orgeron victories have come against Memphis. Former Vol Tommy West is in his seventh season as coach of the Tigers.

Key Players: The Rebels will rely on a running game led by BenJarvus Green-Ellis and a veteran offensive line, but don’t look for former Vol Brent Schaeffer starting at QB — he won’t be there. Memphis has experienced QB Martin Hankins and RB Joseph Doss. This one could come down to a field goal and the Tigers have a quality kicker in former Knoxville Bearden standout Matt Reagan.

Line: Ole Miss by 2½ .

Eastern Kentucky

at Kentucky

Time: 6

Skinny: These teams meet for only the second time, the first coming in 1998 with a 52-7 Kentucky victory. The bad news for the Colonels is a veteran, high-powered Wildcats’ offense returns to Lexington. Kentucky went 8-5 in 2006 to help get coach Rich Brooks off the hot seat. Eastern Kentucky’s offense averaged 354 yards per game and 30 points in ’06.

Key Players: Kentucky returns quarterback Andre Woodson after he passed for 3,515 yards and 31 TDs last season. Also back are Woodson’s favorite targets, Keenan Burton (77 catches, 1,036 yards, 12 TDs) and Dicky Lyons (50 catches, 822 yards, nine TDs). Eastern Kentucky needs big nights from linebackers George Anderson and Jules Montinar.

Line: Kentucky by 35.

Oklahoma State

at Georgia

Time: 6:45 (TV: ESPN2)

Skinny: This is the first meeting between the Cowboys and No. 13 Bulldogs. It’s just the first tough road game of the season for Oklahoma State. The Cowboys also travel to Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas A&M later this season. Georgia wants to get off to another 5-0 start like 2006 — without the 1-4 freefall in October and November.

Key Players: After a transfer from North Carolina, former Chattanooga star Adarius Bowman had 60 catches for 1,187 yards and 12 TDs for Oklahoma State last season. QB Bobby Reid returns to throw to Bowman. Georgia hopes sophomore QB Matthew Stafford is ready for a breakout season. Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin lead a strong Bulldogs’ running game.

Line: Georgia by 6½ .

Western Carolina at Alabama

Time: 7

Skinny: The Nick Saban era begins in Tuscaloosa with a packed house at Bryant-Denny Stadium and a cupcake non-conference opponent. No offense to the Catamounts, but the last time these two teams met, Alabama rolled to a 52-0 victory in 2004. No way Saban loses this one. Western Carolina coach Kent Briggs is 21-33 going into his sixth season.

Key Players: Alabama QB John Parker Wilson begins his junior season after passing for 2,707 yards and 17 TDs last season. Western Carolina does have a Knox-area feel with former CAK QB Richard Harb, Morristown offensive lineman Steven Ray and Seymour center Justin Johnson on the roster.

Line: Alabama by 37.

Troy at Arkansas

Time: 7

Skinny: Arkansas coach Houston Nutt can finally put a turbulent offseason to rest. The No. 21 Razorbacks can forget about departed quarterback Mitch Mustain and offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, who is at Tulsa. Arkansas defeated Troy 23-0 in the only previous meeting in 2002.

Key Players: The Arkansas running back tandem of Darren McFadden and Felix Jones is possibly the best in the nation. McFadden is an early Heisman favorite after going for 1,647 yards and 14 TDs in ’06. The Trojans of Troy are led by last year’s Sun Belt Conference player of the year, QB Omar Haugabook (2,401 yards passing and 21 TDs).

Line: Arkansas by 24.

Richmond at Vanderbilt

Time: 7

Skinny: The Commodores lead the overall series 2-0, including a 37-13 victory in 2005. Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson continues his attempts to build the ‘Dores into a legitimate SEC contender. He goes into his sixth season with a 15-43 career record at Vandy, but returns a lot of offensive experience in 2007.

Key Players: Vanderbilt has a couple of dangerous tandems. First, there’s QB Chris Nickson and WR Earl Bennett (48 receptions shy of becoming SEC’s all-time leader). Then there’s the running back tandem of Cassen Jackson-Garrison (Central) and Jeff Jennings (Jefferson County). Richmond is led by senior WR Arman Shields.

Line: Vanderbilt by 23

Kansas State at Auburn

Time: 7:45 (TV: ESPN)

Skinny: These schools haven’t met since a 26-18 Auburn victory in 1979. The Tigers have a 2-0 record against the Big 12’s Wildcats. Auburn went 11-2 and beat Nebraska in the Cotton Bowl a year ago. The Tigers begin this season ranked No. 18 despite having some question marks in the offensive line.

Key Players: Auburn QB Brandon Cox directs the offense after passing for 2,198 yards and 14 TDs last season. Brad Lester is expected to start at tailback. K-State is counting on sophomore QB Josh Freeman to improve on his six TD-15 interception season as a freshman.

Line: Auburn by 13 ½.

La.-Lafayette

at South Carolina

Time: 8

Skinny: The Ragin’ Cajuns gave the Gamecocks all they wanted in the only previous meeting, a 14-7 South Carolina victory in 2003. But that was BS — Before Spurrier. The South Carolina coach goes into his third season hoping to improve on his 15-10 record with the Gamecocks. If SC can start the season 2-0, it will even its all-time football record at 517-517-44 dating back to 1892.

Key Players: South Carolina QB Blake Mitchell is suspended for the opener, but the Gamecocks can still count on tailback Cory Boyd after his 823 yards rushing in 2006. Louisiana-Lafayette has a two-time 1,000-yard rusher in junior Tyrell Fenroy. SC linebacker Jasper Brinkley will be keeping his eyes on Fenroy.

Line: None.