The SEC has welcomed two new teams.

A red carpet was rolled out for one. For the other, a bed of nails awaits.

SEC schedulers gave Texas a nice welcome package. The Longhorns’ eight conference opponents had a combined winning percentage of .524 (53-48) last season. That’s the second-lowest percentage in the SEC.

Meanwhile, Oklahoma faces the toughest slate in the league. The Sooners’ eight conference opponents had a combined winning percentage of .723 (76-29) last season.

Six of OU’s conference opponents are nationally ranked. They include No. 15 Tennessee, No. 4 Texas, No. 6 Ole Miss, No. 11 Missouri, No. 5 Alabama and No. 13 LSU.

The Sooners are probably wondering who they pissed off in the SEC.

It must be said that the Sooners have not complained about the struggle

“Playing against good people is going to make (OU players) better,” Sooners coach Brent Venables said at SEC Media Days. “So we can have a really good litmus test going through our schedule this year.”

Litmus test? That’s more like the bar exam.

There are legitimate questions about whether the Sooners are prepared to pass the law.

Dillon Gabriel, last year’s starting quarterback, transferred to Oregon. His replacement, sophomore Jackson Arnold, attempted just 69 passes last season. He threw four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The defense was only mediocre in 2023. The Sooners ranked 112th in the nation in pass defense.

Additionally, the offensive line replaces two tackles selected in the NFL draft: first-round pick Tyler Guyton and sixth-round pick Walter Rouse.

That could be a concern for the SEC, which calls itself a “line of scrimmage” league.

But Venables doesn’t seem deterred.

“I think we’re in a good position and we’ll find out where we need to be better,” he said. “Over the last two and a half years we’ve worked very hard to develop a balanced squad that’s strong in the trenches and in all the right places.”

They just have to try to survive in that bed of nails.

Around the SEC

This week’s matches: Arkansas Pine-Bluff vs. Arkansas at Little Rock; Murray State at Missouri; Temple at Oklahoma; No. 7 Notre Dame at No. 20 Texas A&M; No. 14 Clemson vs. No. 1 Georgia at Atlanta; Virginia Tech at Vanderbilt; Chattanooga at No. 15 Tennessee; Colorado State at No. 4 Texas; No. 19 Miami at Florida; Old Dominion at South Carolina; Eastern Kentucky at Mississippi State; Western Kentucky at No. 5 Alabama; Furman at No. 6 Ole Miss; Alabama A&M at Auburn; Southern Miss at Kentucky; No. 23 USC vs. LSU at Las Vegas

Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Last May, Kirby Smart signed a 10-year, $130 million contract extension with Georgia. He posted a 94-16 record in eight seasons.

Who’s hot: Of course, it’s Georgia coach Kirby Smart. He’s undefeated against every active coach over the past five years. He’s 8-0 in season openers. However, the last time Georgia lost a season opener, the Bulldogs lost to Clemson, 38-35, in 2013. But Smart won in his only matchup with Clemson. Georgia defeated the Tigers 10-3 in the 2021 season opener. Under Smart, Georgia has the longest current streak of a top 10 finish in the AP poll. Georgia’s streak stands at 50 consecutive polls.

Who does not: Of course, it’s Vanderbilt. The Commodores lost their final 10 games of last season. That skid included a 16-point loss to Wake Forest and a three-point loss to UNLV. Expect more skid marks with Virginia Tech coming to Nashville.

Please note the following: Georgia’s running back situation is uncertain — at least this week against Clemson. Florida transfer Trevor Etienne’s playing status is uncertain due to an offseason DUI arrest. Smart has not yet announced whether Etienne will play. Roderick Robinson, Georgia’s leading returning rusher, is sidelined with a toe injury. The Bulldogs may have to turn to sophomore Branson Robinson, who missed last season with an injury. Whoever starts will be running behind an offensive line that returns four starters. Clemson ranked 24th in the nation in rushing defense last year, but three defensive linemen and a linebacker from that unit were drafted in the NFL. If Georgia makes a run, that game could turn into a blowout.

The pressure is high: No coach is under more pressure than Florida’s Billy Napier. Florida is 11-14 in two seasons under Napier. He’s in danger of becoming the first Gators coach to have three consecutive losing seasons since Josh Cody in 1936-38. That won’t please Gainesville. Adding to Napier’s woes is that he currently has eight opponents in the rankings. That includes No. 19 Miami, which Florida will meet first.

Best matchup: USC coach Lincoln Riley vs. LSU defensive coordinator Blake Baker. Riley’s passing offense has ranked among the top five in the country the past two seasons. With Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Caleb Williams now in the NFL, Riley will have to get the passing game going with Miller Moss leading the way. He’s thrown for just 840 yards in two seasons. Baker may have more to prove. Last season, LSU ranked 118th in the nation in pass defense and 108th in total defense. Baker was brought in from Missouri to fill holes in that defensive unit. Under Baker’s leadership, Missouri has ranked 34th in total defense each of the past two seasons.