Two weeks ago at the SEC Meetings in Destin, commissioner Greg Sankey lamented what he believes to be a lacking focus on strength of schedule by the College Football Playoff Selection Committee, which extended only three bids to the SEC for its first 12-team field. Texas, Georgia and Tennessee represented the league in the CFP, but the cases made by Alabama, Ole Miss and South Carolina fell short, as the committee instead extended a bid extended to an 11-2 SMU team with a weaker schedule, but a better record.
As such, strength of schedule is bound to be the hottest of topics in 2025 as the SEC looks to deepen its presence in the playoff field. So which school will have the best strength of schedule argument in the league? Below, we rank all 16 SEC schedules from toughest to weakest:
Forgive the Gators for scheduling Long Island University for a Week 1 cupcake. UF will go on to face two Power Four teams out of conference (at Miami, FSU). Granted, the Seminoles are coming off a horrific 2024, but as an in-state rivalry rife with animus, it’ll be every bit as physical as a conference game. Florida also faces home dates with Texas and Tennessee, road trips to Ole Miss, LSU and Texas A&M, and the annual neutral-site clash with Georgia.
If this were the NFL, the Bulldogs would be granted an easier schedule as the worst team in the league. But life’s not fair in the SEC, as MSU coach Jeff Lebby can attest. Coming off an 0-8 flop in SEC play last year, Mississippi State draws Georgia, Texas, Tennessee and Ole Miss at home this year. And let’s not pretend home-field advantage will make a difference. It will also welcome 2024 CFP qualifier Arizona State to Starkville, and travels to Florida, Texas A&M, Missouri and Arkansas.
OU draws road trips to face Tennessee, Alabama, a promising South Carolina team, and a neutral-siter vs….
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Publish date : 2025-06-12 09:04:00
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