2013 SEC Game Preview: Top 10 SEC Games to Watch For This Season

The SEC has proven their dominance over the last decade with an SEC team winning 8 out of the last 10 BCS national championships. SEC conference games are very important as they can make or break a team's season. Six out of the eight national title teams lost at least one game, and all losses were at the hands of another SEC team.

The 2003 LSU team's only loss came at the hands of Florida. The 2006 Florida team lost to Auburn. The 2007 LSU team lost to both Kentucky and Arkansas. The 2008 Florida team lost to Ole Miss. The 2011 Alabama team lost to LSU and the 2012 team lost to Texas A&M. This only proves just how important conference games can be. The top 10 SEC games made the list based on either importance, rivalry, or "revenge".

10. Ole Miss at Vanderbilt- August 29th
Ole Miss and Vanderbilt open things up with the first conference game of the year on this Thursday night game. Head Coaches James Franklin and Hugh Freeze are both young and overlooked coaches in the SEC. Both teams are looking to make strides in their divisions in the near future. Because it is one of the first games of the college football season, expect mistakes to be made and this game to be a close one.

9. Auburn at Arkansas- November 2nd
This game became heated following SEC media days. Arkansas head coach Bret Bielema and Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn disagreed on the injury risk on a fast paced, no huddle offense. Gus Malzahn called the idea of increased injury risk a "joke". When asked about Malzahn's comment, Bret Bielema responded by saying that he is not a comedian. Bielema and Malzahn are both first year SEC coaches and with these additional jabs being taken, expect an interesting game.

8. LSU at Georgia- September 28th
Georgia is projected to win the SEC East behind quarterback Aaron Murray. LSU is one of the top teams in the West and will more than likely go into Athens as an underdog. LSU may have a tough time battling Georgia's experienced offense, but the Tigers tend to play their best football against the toughest opponents. Georgia has a very tough start with games against Clemson and South Carolina to start the season. The Bulldog's fourth game being against LSU will be hard, but Georgia benefits from a bye week in week 3. This should be a great battle between two of the top schools in the SEC.

7. Alabama at Auburn- November 30th
The Iron Bowl is one of the greatest rivalries in all of college football. This is a game that is always to close for comfort for both teams. Auburn almost upset Alabama in 2009 on the road to Alabama's national title season. Alabama blew a large halftime in a 2010 Iron bowl victory for Auburn. Auburn has a bye week prior to the Iron Bowl so expect new Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn to have his team fired up for this game.

6. Georgia vs. Florida (Neutral Field-Jacksonville, Florida)- November 2nd
Georgia and Florida are great rivals and always provide a great game. Last year's game decided the SEC East champion. Florida turned the ball over six times which all but helped Georgia win the game. This game may help decide the East champion again depending on the outcome of the Georgia vs. South Carolina game. This should be a close game and Georgia's offense vs. Florida's defense will be a great battle.

5. Texas A&M at LSU- November 23rd
Texas A&M and LSU are the two elite teams in the West that will make a strong push to win their division and make it to Atlanta. If Alabama loses in the regular season, this late season game may help decide the West division champion. LSU beat Texas A&M last year in College Station and will attempt to do it again in Death Valley. A young LSU defense will have to put together a good game plan to slow this up tempo Aggie offense led by Johnny Manziel. LSU head coach Les Miles will have to pull some of his magic in order to pull out the victory. Expect a close game from start to finish.

4. Florida at South Carolina- November 16th
Florida and South Carolina have built a rivalry since Steve Spurrier took over for the Gamecocks in 2005. Steve Spurrier is well known for coaching the Florida Gators to a national championship and six conference titles before leaving to be the head coach of the Washington Redskins. Florida and South Carolina are two top teams in the SEC East and the game may help decide the East champion. This will be a battle in the trenches. Both teams have great defenses which should provide a low scoring game. The rising rivalry in this game makes it intense every year and stakes will be high.

3. LSU at Alabama- November 9th
Two years ago, this game was labeled the game of century. This has become one of the most heated rivalries in the SEC since Nick Saban accepted the head coaching job at Alabama in 2007. To make the rivalry even better, Alabama and LSU faced off in the 2011 national championship game. Last year's game was one of the most exciting in all of college football after running back TJ Yeldon caught a screen pass and scored a winning touchdown late in the game. This year should be no different and should be close one as usual. Both teams also have bye weeks prior to the game which will provide even more hype. This may not be another game of the century, but will be one of the best games of the year.

2.  South Carolina at Georgia- September 7th
Last year, South Carolina beat down Georgia in Columbia. This all but guaranteed South Carolina a spot in the SEC Championship until Florida beat the Gamecocks in Gainesville. The Gators lost to Georgia in Jacksonville a week later. Although the Bulldogs are a favorite in the East, Steve Spurrier and South Carolina will look to beat the Bulldogs again and make it to Atlanta. Georgia maybe trying to get a little revenge due to last year's embarrassing loss. This game is especially important because it is the early part of the season and every game is crucial. The winner of this game will have an early advantage to win the SEC East and make it to Atlanta.

1. Alabama at Texas A&M-  September 14th
Last year, the Texas A&M Aggies shocked all of college football by upsetting top ranked Alabama in Tuscaloosa. If you watched Texas A&M play last season, it was very clear the team played like a veteran SEC squad despite it being the Aggies first year in the SEC. Alabama does not take losses lightly and you better believe Nick Saban will be prepared for the Aggies. Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin will also have his players prepared and this will be a game not to miss. Alabama has a bye week prior and all eyes will watching on September 14th. This may be the best game of the year in college football and the winner is an immediate favorite to win the West.