Nov 24, 2011; College Station, TX, USA; Texas Longhorns cornerback Eddie Aboussie (23) breaks up a pass intended for Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Jeff Fuller (8) in the fourth quarter at Kyle Field. Texas defeated Texas A&M 27-25. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
We’re getting closer and closer to college football returning to our lives, and for fans of SEC football, it’s time to get used to watching some of the biggest matchups of the year on ABC and ESPN for the next decade or so. Welcoming Texas and Oklahoma into the fold, the conference is now 16 teams deep, with plenty of storylines to keep you consistently entertained throughout the season.
By now, I don’t believe I need to go into a diatribe regarding the Texas media takeover that’s coming to a screen near you. The return of quarterback Quinn Ewers paired with future first-round pick tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. is as good a tandem as it gets. But while the Longhorns are the overwhelming favorite to run through the SEC in just their first season, how are we forgetting Georgia and Alabama?
Yes, new head coach Kalen DeBoer is taking over the most historical program in college football after Nick Saban’s retirement. Still, the Tide is not a team to mess with on offense, while Georgia, under the palpable Kirby Smart, continues to reload year after year. However, Texas A&M’s first season under new head coach Mike Elko will also be under the microscope, especially with the Aggies opening the season against Notre Dame.
With so many intriguing conference matchups, here is how On3’s Jesse Simonton ranked each game ahead of the 2024 SEC slate.
Ole Miss wide receiver Dayton Wade (19) makes a one handed catch off a pass from Ole Miss quarterback Spencer Sanders (3) during the second half of a NCAA college football game against Ole Miss in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023. Georgia won 52-17.
Alabama defensive back Kool-Aid McKinstry gestures in celebration after Tennessee failed to convert on fourth down in the fourth quarter at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023.
Oklahoma Sooners running back Tawee Walker (29) celebrates after a touchdown during the Red River Rivalry college football game between the University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and the University of Texas (UT) Longhorns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas, Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023. Oklahoma won 34-30.
Jan 1, 2024; Pasadena, CA, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) looks to pass in the second quarter against the Michigan Wolverines in the 2024 Rose Bowl college football playoff semifinal game at Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2023; Oxford, Mississippi, USA; Mississippi Rebels defensive linemen Cedric Johnson (2) reacts during the second half against the LSU Tigers at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Petre Thomas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 4, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide running back Jase McClellan (2) carries the ball as LSU Tigers linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (4) defends during the second half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; Knoxville, TN, USA; Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) takes the snap during the second half against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Oklahoma won in double overtime 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports
Date: September 21
Place: Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium-Norman Oklahoma
Quarterback matchup: Oklahoma QB Jackson Arnold vs. Tennessee QB Nico Iamaleava
Georgia at Texas
Dec 30, 2023; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck (15) leads the team onto the field before the game against the Florida State Seminoles for the 2023 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 23, 2007; College Station, TX, USA; Texas A&M Aggies Texas A&M defensive back Stephen Hodge (29) and offensive lineman Corey Clark (54) celebrate after the game with the Lone Star Showdown trophy against the Texas Longhorns at Kyle Field. Texas A&M beat Texas 38-30. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia running back Kendall Milton (2) avoids a tackle from Alabama defensive back Malachi Moore (13) during the second half of the SEC Championship game against Alabama at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, on Saturday, Dec. 2, 2023. Alabama won…
