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SEC Football: Ranking most important 2021 non-conference games

By John Scimeca

CLEMSON, SC - AUGUST 31: The Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers line up for a snap during the game at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images)
CLEMSON, SC - AUGUST 31: The Georgia Bulldogs and Clemson Tigers line up for a snap during the game at Memorial Stadium on August 31, 2013 in Clemson, South Carolina. (Photo by Tyler Smith/Getty Images) /
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ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 1: Larry Johnson #5 of the Pennsylvania State University Lions carries the ball during the Capital One Bowl against the Auburn University Tigers at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. Auburn defeated Penn State 13-9. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
ORLANDO, FL – JANUARY 1: Larry Johnson #5 of the Pennsylvania State University Lions carries the ball during the Capital One Bowl against the Auburn University Tigers at Florida Citrus Bowl Stadium on January 1, 2003 in Orlando, Florida. Auburn defeated Penn State 13-9. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /

842. ABC. . 0. Saturday, Sept. 18. 0. 806. 7:30 PM ET

This matchup between two middle-of-the-road teams might not seem significant on paper. But, beneath the surface, this matchup will impact several important storylines of the 2021 college football season.

First, Auburn has a new boss on the sidelines in former Boise State coach Bryan Harsin. It will be his first major test as the Tigers’ new head coach and his first road contest, and he will travel 800 miles to play in front of a crowd that could surpass 100,000 spectators if local regulations allow it.

Second, Penn State football fans are rightfully anxious about the state of the program. Last season’s blip can be written off for a number of factors — opt-outs, COVID-19 protocols, or the disjointed feel of starting two months later than normal — but the bad taste remains from a 4-5 win-loss record that marked the Nittany Lions’ first losing season since 2004.

The preseason pundits are confident that Penn State will bounce back, with AP voters awarding the team a No. 19 preseason ranking for 2021.

If an unranked SEC team can waltz into town and steal a win in front of the home crowd, however, the pressure will get ratcheted up quickly on head coach James Franklin and quarterback Sean Clifford. The Big Ten, too, would take a major blow as a conference, as another could-be contender to Ohio State would be exposed early in the season.

For the SEC, an Auburn win here would make the chase to take down Alabama much more interesting. Would a Tigers squad capable of pulling this road upset also have enough spunk to challenge LSU and Texas A&M?

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