There’s been a lot dialogue about SEC scheduling of late, the path the convention is leaning and the way it pertains to the way forward for Alabama soccer. In a sea of change within the sport, nothing appears secure from the chop of the seemingly uncharted waters because the SEC considers its choices in a attainable division-less future, together with eight convention video games with one protected opponent and 9 convention video games with three protected opponents.

However the sport could be sensible to embrace the comfy for followers even amid all of the transformation. That doesn’t imply one must be beholden to the previous, however given the game’s deep-rooted embrace of its historical past, swinging too far-off from it appears unwise.

In an effort to do each — rejoice the historical past whereas welcoming a brand new day — I took a swing at what new priorities must be for the way forward for the Crimson Tide’s convention schedule. That’s, which SEC video games followers need extra of and which video games are much less fascinating. Any subjective record is definite to carry forth disagreement and debate, but it surely’s a great train to start excited about which video games you need to shield, eschew or promote.

With that in thoughts, right here goes one particular person’s rating of all 15 SEC opponents — together with Oklahoma and Texas — to attempt to sort out these standards.

1. Auburn

There actually isn’t any debate on this one aside from for trolling functions. With all apologies to Ohio State and Michigan, that is the best rivalry in school soccer and arguably in all of sports activities. These two applications don’t like one another — a attribute practically all one of the best rivalries have — and each reside in the identical state. Meaning they compete for recruits. Their followers work amongst one another. All of that mixes for a scrumptious hatred that performs out on the gridiron every year.

Final 12 months is an ideal instance of why this sport means a lot. Auburn had no sensible likelihood to win. It was a struggling crew taking part in out the string. However there it was with below a minute remaining with a lead on the eventual SEC champions. The gang whipped itself right into a frenzy. It was electrical. Then there was heartbreak those that don’t get sports activities can by no means perceive. It’s akin to having the wind knocked out of you. You’re practically sick to your abdomen. Within the aftermath, you’ll be able to’t eat any content material that references the loss. It could damage days. I imply, take a look at these faces.

You don’t mess with a great factor. Alabama and Auburn deserve one another each season.

2. LSU

No sport has meant extra to the SEC over the previous 15 years than Alabama-LSU. It’s been performed so usually in prime time that it was actually vital information a few years in the past when it was as a substitute slotted within the SEC’s most important spot on CBS at 3:30 ET. These groups have mixed to win eight nationwide championships throughout that point, together with taking part in in opposition to one another within the 2011 BCS title sport.

There have been three additional time video games throughout that span (2008, 2011 and 2014). Alabama has dominated the all-time collection traditionally, however there’s no query this sport has changed the annual Tennessee sport by way of significance and pleasure in Crimson Tide followers’ eyes.

As a result of this record is supposed to keep in mind the previous in addition to the longer term, LSU tasks as extra of a rival than Tennessee.

3. Tennessee

With that mentioned, you’ll be able to’t solely throw out the previous. Earlier than Alabama went on a run of 15 consecutive wins after Nick Saban arrived, this collection was separated by solely 5 Crimson Tide wins. There was a time when the Volunteers not being second on this record would have ruffled numerous feathers, and it would nonetheless in some corners, however UT’s lack of competitiveness — each on this collection and as a program — over the previous 15 years mixed with the rise of Alabama as the sport’s biggest dynasty has created a notion that may not be capable to be overcome. What was as soon as a sport that had its personal identify — “The Third Saturday in October” — is not only “One other Recreation Performed in October.” Tennessee seems on the come up and must be aggressive, however even that may not be capable to save what this rivalry as soon as was.

Nonetheless, it’s a storied rivalry with numerous historical past. And let’s face it, these colours look nice on the sphere collectively too.

4. Georgia

Not each opponent is a “rival.” Some are simply convention opponents. However even when this sport lacks historical past (they’ve met solely 67 occasions within the common season regardless of first taking part in in 1895), these are two of one of the best applications within the nation.

They’ve performed some traditional video games in recent times, together with twice for the nationwide championship previously 5 seasons.

That is one the place they don’t want to satisfy yearly, however extra regular-season matchups are wanted. Since Saban arrived at Alabama, the pair have met solely 4 occasions within the common season. They’ve confronted one another 5 occasions within the postseason throughout the identical span.

Followers need good video games. These applications are one of the best of one of the best. Give us extra of them.

5. Mississippi State

Right here is the place this record begins to start out getting troublesome. A steadiness of the historic significance versus the longer term looms giant. I leaned into historical past right here. The Crimson Tide have performed the Bulldogs greater than another opponent of their historical past. There’s additionally the novelty of the campuses being inside 90 minutes of one another.

All that mentioned, the collection has been one-sided with Mississippi State final having gained in Saban’s first season in 2007. However the Bulldogs did come to Tuscaloosa ranked No. 1 within the nation in 2014. That’s one thing numerous applications on this record can’t say.

6. Oklahoma

Hey new man, pull up a chair. The Sooners and Longhorns might not formally be a part of till 2025, however that doesn’t imply we are able to’t get an early begin on it.

That is one the place there’s not in depth historical past however you’ll be able to simply challenge one. The applications have a lot in widespread. Other than the colour scheme, each are the bluest of blue bloods. And even in a altering surroundings, that also means one thing. Each are proud fan bases. Oklahoma has seven Heisman Trophy winners. Alabama has 4. In accordance with NCAA.com (don’t hate the messenger), Alabama has 16 nationwide championships and Oklahoma has seven.

You get the image. These are two heavyweights. And who wouldn’t need to see them face one another extra usually?

7. Ole Miss

Maybe no dynamic round a yearly sport has modified extra quickly over the course of 10 years than this sport. It went from a virtually automated “W” for Alabama every season to an thrilling sport to 1 you truly must concern your self with in case you’re a Crimson Tide fan.

It began with Hugh Freeze successful back-to-back video games in 2014-15 and practically pulling the three-peat in 2016. Lane Kiffin has upped the ante in his two seasons with a swashbuckling strategy that has been entertaining, if nothing else. His “get your popcorn prepared” line final 12 months was a bit anticlimactic earlier than a blowout loss, however the season earlier than, he pushed Alabama’s biggest crew to the boundaries in Oxford.

Plus, extra possibilities to see these powder blue helmets? Sure please.

8. Texas A&M

The spice has been added due to Saban and Jimbo Fisher. There’s no likelihood this sport will ever return to being simply one other convention sport so long as these two are the top coaches. The Aggies have crushed Alabama twice since coming into the league (2012 and 2021), however this spring’s he-said, he-said scenario took issues to a different stage.

Who is aware of the place the Aggies are headed as a program. They actually have the sources however have virtually at all times underperformed. Even after beating Alabama final 12 months, Texas A&M completed as a four-loss crew. However this 12 months’s journey to Tuscaloosa is already one in every of school soccer’s must-see video games.

Texas A&M turned the primary unranked crew to beat Alabama since 2007. (Thomas Shea / USA In the present day)

9. Texas

The Longhorns make this record right here for 2 causes: extra journeys to Austin and a assured gate for the UA athletic division. Regardless of the shortage of historical past right here and Texas’ current foibles, it’s nonetheless Texas. And meaning it can draw, beginning with a nonconference sport in Austin this September earlier than the Longhorns be a part of the SEC.

Texas followers will at all times come to Tuscaloosa and spend cash, and vice versa. And in an period wherein it’s simpler than ever to remain house and watch the sport, that issues an ideal deal. It’s additionally one other nice coloration scheme matchup with these groups on the sphere.

10. Arkansas

When Arkansas has had its stuff collectively as a program, these video games have produced some classics because the Hogs joined the convention in 1992. For a very long time pre-Saban, the Arkansas sport was a barometer for the Crimson Tide’s season.

The Razorbacks are on the rise below Sam Pittman, and the collection is best off for it. Simply take a look at final 12 months’s sport for instance. It took all of Bryce Younger’s historic 559 yards and 5 touchdowns for the Tide to free themselves from the clutches of the Arkansas upset.

Additionally, Fayetteville is a extremely underrated SEC city.

11. Florida

Some would have the Gators larger on the record. That is one other assured gate for each side, which, once more, is nice for the applications. Final 12 months’s sport was a wild journey of feelings with Alabama racing out to a giant lead solely to barely maintain on as a raucous UF house crowd practically helped the Gators pull the upset.

Gainesville is simple sufficient to journey to. Former Saban assistant Billy Napier being there may add some intrigue to future video games, too.

12. Vanderbilt

As soon as upon a time this was a yearly sport, but it surely was hardly ever a aggressive sport: Vandy has two wins in opposition to Alabama (1969, 1984) since Bear Bryant took over the Crimson Tide in 1958. Vanderbilt makes the record right here due to two causes, however just one actually counts: a visit to Nashville.

Let’s face it, Vanderbilt Stadium is a subpar venue. Fairly frankly, it’s embarrassing for an SEC venue. And that has nothing to do with the dimensions. It’s simply an outdated venue that bottlenecks approach too simply. Opposing followers usually take over the stadium.

However a visit to Nashville is a visit to Nashville. Now, can we simply cast off bachelorette occasion pedal taverns that take up half the streets?

13. Kentucky

By the point you get this far down the record, it turns into extra about distance from house and what you do on a street journey. In that regard, Lexington is a wonderful street journey. Additionally, Kroger Subject has seen some wonderful renovations.

I is perhaps biased by the proximity to wonderful bourbon on a street journey, however I’ve at all times loved my visits to Lexington.

14. South Carolina

How a lot do you want “Sandstorm”? In the event you’ve been to Columbia, you understand what I’m speaking about. This sport doesn’t have a lot historical past behind it, with 15 all-time conferences. However Gamecocks followers will without end maintain 2010 expensive to their hearts. That’s when Stephen Garcia led an upset for the ages to take down No. 1 Alabama.

There’s truthfully not rather more to say about why South Carolina is the place it’s on this record. However Columbia is a cool metropolis to journey to.

15. Missouri

My two journeys to the opposite Columbia have been slightly nondescript. These two groups don’t play that usually, so maybe that’s the lone motive to extend the occasions they play. They’ve met 4 occasions because the Tigers joined the SEC (as soon as within the SEC championship sport) and Alabama has outscored them 161-52. That’s not precisely attractive soccer that has individuals wanting extra after it’s over.

(Prime picture of Bryce Younger: Butch Dill / USA In the present day)