Adams: Not the best SEC matchups, just the hottest

The first Saturday of SEC football won't be the best. But it should be the hottest.

Imagine being in The Swamp for this afternoon's 12:30 kickoff between Florida and Hawaii. It will be so hot, even Tim Tebow might sweat.

Florida 55, Hawaii 23 - The Warriors lost 14 starters and head coach June Jones from their 12-1 season, which ended with a 41-10 loss to Georgia in the Sugar Bowl. But they still lived up to their contractual obligations to play another SEC powerhouse in their season opener.

Before applauding their integrity, remember: They're getting paid handsomely for this.

In return, they're expected to test a Florida defense that was embarrassed in a 41-35 Capital One Bowl loss to Michigan in January. With that in mind, Florida fans will have their eyes on the defensive front four and the secondary, both of which were inadequate last fall.

Clemson 34, Alabama 27: This could be the beginning of a championship season or just another big tease for Clemson, which has had as many mysterious lapses as any program in the country.

Two years ago, the Tigers opened the season with an upset of nationally ranked Texas A&M and a narrow victory over Maryland. They then lost three consecutive games, including two in overtime.

Under coach Tommy Bowden, that's called "business as usual."

Despite Alabama coach Nick Saban's well earned reputation for great defense, he hasn't had time to recruit enough defense to stop Clemson.

Georgia 40, Georgia Southern 17: The Bulldogs offense might have the big names on offense, but they can't match the Eagles' nickname.

It's Knowshon Moreno and Matthew Stafford versus thee "Hatch Attack," which coach Chris Hatcher dubbed his offense while his teams were going 76-12 in six seasons at Division II Valdosta State.

In 2007, Hatcher's first at Georgia Southern, the Eagles won seven games and lost four, including two in overtime, by a total of 20 points.

They also did something Michigan couldn't: beat Appalachian State.

LSU 38, Appalachian State 17: LSU coach Les Miles, a Michigan alum, obviously has lost touch with his alma mater. Otherwise, he wouldn't have signed off on this season opener against an opponent that shocked the Wolverines last fall.

Never mind that the two-time defending Division I-AA national champions lost six starters on offense. They still have quarterback Armanti Edwards, who rushed for 1,588 yards and passed for 1,948 yards last season.

Defenses get tired just watching videotape of him.

Auburn 41, Louisiana-Monroe 13: What was once a laughable mismatch is now a matchup of kindred spirits. Both are certified Bama beaters.

The Warriors' 21-14 upset of Alabama last season resonated throughout the BCS. If you can't count on ULM as a whipping boy, who's left? Notre Dame?

Before defeating Alabama, ULM had given up 41 or more points in eight of its last nine games against BCS teams.

Arkansas 45, Western Illinois 17: The Razorbacks should be OK unless the game turns into a debate. This spring, 32 Western Illinois players made the honor roll in the league formerly known as the Gateway Football Conference.

It's now called the Missouri Valley Football Conference (not to be confused with the Missouri Valley Conference). Tell your friends.

Mississippi State 27, Louisiana Tech 13: You also might want to tell your friends about the changes going on at Louisiana Tech. The website headline reads: "The Bark Of A New Generation."

Tech has a new quarterback and new logos, neither one of which should help it against Mississippi State's defense.

Note to University of Tennessee attorneys: Tech's new logo features a large, red "T," which might be just a tad too similar to the Vols' power orange "T."

Check it out, guys.

Ole Miss 30, Memphis 27: While the SEC might lament the departure of Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron, the Tigers should be glad he's gone. They went 0-for-Orgeron, losing three consecutive games to the Rebels by a total of nine points.

Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt began his last job by winning his first eight games at Arkansas. He should come within seven games of that streak at Ole Miss, which travels to Wake Forest next week.

But don't rule out a six-win, bowl-eligible season for the Rebels, whose other non-conference games are against Samford and ULM.

Kentucky 27, Louisville 24: Cardinals coach Steve Kragthorpe is building a reputation for fast turnarounds.

For example, in his first season at Tulsa, his team went 8-5. A year earlier, the Golden Hurricane was 1-11.

For another example, in his first season at Louisville, his team went 6-6. The year before, Louisville was 12-1.

Kentucky lost its quarterback, its top two receivers and its leading rusher from last season, but Louisville lost even more - 13 of 22 starters, including its quarterback, leading rusher and top four receivers.

Top 25: Ohio State 45, Youngstown State 7; USC 41, Virginia 17; Oklahoma 57, Chattanooga 10; West Virginia 48, Villanova 10; Missouri 38, Illinois 30; Texas 42, Florida Atlantic 17; Texas Tech 62, Eastern Washington 13; Wisconsin 45, Akron 20; Kansas 48, Florida International 17; Arizona State 45, Northern Arizona 14; BYU 45, Northern Iowa 20; Virginia Tech 31, East Carolina 17; South Florida 34, Tennessee-Martin 7; Oregon 34, Washington 27; Penn State 42, Coastal Carolina 7; Pittsburgh 30, Bowling Green 17.

Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.