SEC Football: 5 most important non-conference games in 2017

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide linebacker Tim Williams (56) in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game against the Clemson Tigers at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

SEC football has quite the interesting slate out-of-conference games in 2017, but these are the most important.

The college football season is almost back. After a strong showing in the 2017 NFL Draft, the SEC returns to showcase another crop of talented student-athletes.

While some teams had players go undrafted, the SEC had 53 picks selected in this year's draft. 10 of them were from the Alabama Crimson Tide while the LSU Tigers and Florida Gators were second with eight players drafted each.

The Crimson Tide lead the way as the team to beat and their 2017 out-of-conference schedule features a season opener against the Florida State Seminoles.

Another team that could possibly challenge the Crimson Tide is the Auburn Tigers. They host the defending National Champion Clemson Tigers in a rematch from 2016.

The Georgia Bulldogs look to bounce back in head coach Kirby Smart's second season. They have a Week 2 match up with the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

The Tennessee Volunteers challenge an ACC foe in the Georgia Tech Yellowjackets in a game located in Atlanta, Georgia. They'll have some holes to fill on offense and the Yellowjackets should serve as a good test.

The Florida Gators have a matchup with Big Ten foe Michigan Wolverines. These matchups make for the beginning of one interesting season.

With the college football season just about three months away, here's a look at the top five SEC out-of-conference games to watch for in 2017.

Apr 7, 2017; Gainesville, FL, USA; Florida Gators running back Jordan Scarlett (25) celebrates with his teammates after scoring a touchdown during the orange and blue debut at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Logan Bowles-USA TODAY Sports

5. Michigan vs. Florida, Sept. 2

The Florida Gators play the Michigan Wolverines in Arlington, Texas with a lot on the line. After going 9-4 in 2016, their out-of-conference challenge against Michigan serves to raise the bar a bit higher.

The last time these two teams met, it was in the 2016 Buffalo Wild Wings Citrus Bowl. Michigan won rather easily 41-7. That game certainly will be in the back of the minds of Gators' players as they look to kick off 2017 with a bang.

After making the SEC Championship game in 2016, the Gators look to return even better on offense with nine returning starters, led by wide receiver Antonio Callaway.

They could be without Callaway for awhile, however, due to a recent marijuana possession charges. His punishment is up in the air but he could very well miss their season opener.

Running back Jordan Scarlett returns after running for 889 yards and six touchdowns, but the quarterback position is still a toss up. Last year's starting quarterback Luke del Rio is still nursing a shoulder injury opening the door for some new blood to take over.

Mar 23, 2017; Knoxville, TN, USA; Head Coach Butch Jones watches during Tennessee Volunteers football practice at Anderson Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Calvin Mattheis/Knoxville News Sentinel via USA TODAY NETWORK

4. Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech, Sept. 4

The Tennessee Volunteers face another ACC foe to open the 2017 season, this time it's the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. They defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies 45-24 in Bristol, Tennessee in Week 2 of the 2016 season.

The Volunteers have a few weapons to replace on offense, including quarterback Josh Dobbs and running back Alvin Kamara. They began the season 5-0 before losing three straight games in SEC play, falling out of the title hunt.

The quarterback competition should be interesting entering the fall. Quarterback Quinten Dormaday served as the backup to Dobbs the past two seasons but he'll have to earn the starting job.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Jarrett Guarantano should challenge Dormaday for the job but they'll need a definite starter entering another tough SEC season.

Georgia Tech will serve as a good measuring stick for the Volunteers to open the season. Things will only get tougher once SEC play begins. However, Tennessee returns seven starters on both sides of the ball, which should bode well.

Apr 22, 2017; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart reacts on the field during the second half during the Georgia Spring Game at Sanford Stadium. Red defeated Black 25-22. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

3. Georgia at Notre Dame, Sept. 9

The Georgia Bulldogs travel to face the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 2, their first matchup since the 1981 National Title game. Georgia won that game 17-10.

The Bulldogs finished 8-5 overall but 4-4 in the SEC last season. They struggled on offense before going with quarterback Jacob Eason, a true freshman.

Eason looks to have a better sophomore season after throwing for 2,430 passing yards and 16 passing touchdowns in 2016. With running backs Nick Chubb and Sony Michel both returning in the backfield healthy, the offense should see better production.

The defense should be in good hands too with 10 starters returning in 2017. They also reeled in a highly-rated recruiting class this past recruiting cycle.

This year's class is led by early enrollee safety Richard LeCounte III, a five-star in-state safety prospect. If he can find his role in the secondary, this team could surprise many in the SEC next year.

The Bulldogs have the experience to be very good next season. They just need to put it all together on the field. The Fighting Irish will serve as a good test for them as the team's meet for just the second time in school history.

Jan 2, 2017; New Orleans , LA, USA; Auburn Tigers fullback Chandler Cox (27) reacts with teammates after scoring a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners in the first quarter of the 2017 Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

2. Auburn at Clemson, Sept. 9

Not only will conference supremacy be on the line when the Auburn Tigers and Clemson Tigers face off, but so will mascot supremacy. Clemson squeaked by with a 19-13 last season but this season, Auburn should be better offensively.

Transfer quarterback Jarrett Stidham impressed in the team's annual spring game and is the current leader to start for Auburn. He was a member of the Baylor Bears in 2015 where he threw for 1,265 passing yards and 12 passing touchdowns.

After battling quarterback troubles all season, Auburn still finished 2016 with an 8-5 record. They went 5-3 in the SEC but with running backs Kamryn Pettway and Kerryon Johnson returning, the Tigers should be okay.

They've also got a new offensive coordinator (Chip Lindsey) after producing just 31.2 points per game in 2016 (49th in the FBS).

The defense returns seven starters but the loss of Montravius Adams and Carl Lawson to the NFL Draft will change things on the defensive line.

Clemson should serve as a good test at either rate. Their defense should be better than the offense, although its hard to ever count out a Dabo Swinney coached team.

Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws the ball to wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (11) against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

1. Alabama vs. Florida State, Sept. 9

The Alabama Crimson Tide look to made another run at the College Football Playoff in 2017. Opening the season against the Florida State Seminoles will boost their profile, seeing they get a victory.

The Crimson Tide went 14-1 last season, losing in the College Football Playoff National Title game to the Clemson Tigers. While the loss certainly stung in the end, the proverbial chip on Alabama's shoulder this season should make opponents a bit worried on the back end.

The Alabama offense returns six players and also has its sixth offensive coordinator since Nick Saban began coaching in 2007. Brian Daboll's experience as a New England Patriots assistant could carry him further than previous offensive coordinators and next season he will certainly be under a microscope. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy should also change things as well.

The Crimson Tide defense returns five players but their depth should still carry them to new heights. Junior college transfer Isaiah Buggs, a highly-rated defensive end, should make an instant impact starting with a strong showing against the Seminoles.