In this article, we will dive into the winners and losers of the SEC’s recent 2024 conference schedule release.
Winner: Texas
Compared to the Sooners, Texas got a much better draw in the inaugural SEC season. Fans have been clamoring for historical rivalries with Texas A&M and Arkansas to be renewed, and both games will be played in 2024. While they are both on the road, just having the games is a win. Their other road games are very favorable. Getting a trip to Nashville against Vandy is always a good thing, and so is the Red River Shootout counting as a road game. While playing Georgia at home is tough, Florida, Kentucky, and Mississippi State are more than manageable. Texas will need to capitalize on this relatively soft schedule in 2024.
Loser: Oklahoma
For all the good Texas’ schedule gave, the Longhorns got hurt. Alabama and Tennessee will be in electric atmospheres in Gaylord Memorial, but the games will be very difficult to win. A South Carolina on the upswing will also be a tough game. Lastly, the Red River Shootout also takes a valuable home game away. On the road, Oklahoma gets the weaker former Big 12 matchup by playing Missouri. In addition, Auburn is rebuilding, LSU just won the West, and Ole Miss is a tough game on the road. I think this is the toughest schedule for any SEC team, and it will be a brutal challenge for a Sooners team adjusting to the new conference.
Winner: Florida
Florida’s schedule is tough, but nearly all the matchups are exciting for the Gators’ fanbase. The rivalries with LSU and Tennessee continue into 2024 and will be great games. They will still play Georgia in Jacksonville, with the game matchup counting as a road game. Home games against Texas A&M and Ole Miss will also be exciting, and so will a road game at Texas. Kentucky and Mississippi State round the in-conference games, but the out-of-conference games are also elite. Florida will play Miami and UCF at home and at Florida State out of conference. Nearly every game is difficult, but also nearly game will be entertaining to watch.
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Loser: Kentucky
While Kentucky’s schedule isn’t too hard, they aren’t gaining anything from the new divisionless format. Five of the Eight SEC games are against former SEC East opponents, including three of four home games. For comparison, Arkansas is the only other team to play five former division opponents, and they at least get two new exciting home games against Tennessee and Texas. Meanwhile, Kentucky continues the South Carolina and Georgia series’ for what reason? The Wildcats’ road games all project to be the least exciting games for the host team. There will be the weakest fanfare when Kentucky travels to Austin, Gainesville, Knoxville, and Oxford. For a fanbase and team who wants to be known for more than basketball, this is a slap in the face.
Winner: Arkansas and Texas A&M
This might be cheating, but the two teams’ schedules are so similar that I thought it was best to combine them. In addition to playing each other, the Aggies and Razorbacks play five of the same opponents. Both teams will welcome Texas into the SEC and bring back an old, heated rivalry. Most importantly, these are the two SEC teams who don’t have to play either Alabama or Georgia. Neither schedule is perfect, as both teams have to play LSU, each other, and Arkansas plays Tennessee, but the schedule is very manageable for the toughest conference.
Loser: Auburn
Auburn has always been cursed by having Alabama and Georgia as rivals, and 2024 only exacerbates the problem. The Tigers have to travel to both Bryant-Denny and Samford Stadium which likely is two automatic losses. Outside of the giants, Auburn hosts three tough games against Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas A&M. Games against Kentucky, Missouri, and Vanderbilt are very favorable for Auburn, but they don’t outweigh the cons of playing the two best programs in the conference.
