The SEC always poses challenges, even during quieter seasons. However, the recent inclusion of Texas and Oklahoma, both formidable teams, has elevated the conference’s competitiveness. Teams barely had a breather from Nick Saban’s departure before facing these new additions to the gauntlet.
With Saban gone, Kirby Smart emerges as the top dog in the SEC, and with his roster this year, everybody else could be fighting for second place. The crazy thing is that second place, along with third and fourth likely guarantees a spot in the 12-team expanded College Football Playoff.
This season Kentucky won’t be expecting a playoff birth, but with Mark Stoops still in Lexington, the Wildcats are going to be competitive. Here’s how their schedule stacks up against the rest of the SEC.
Here are the SEC schedules ranked by difficulty heading into the 2024 season factoring in player and coach movement, not strictly based on last year’s results.
Missouri 2024 schedule: vs. Murray State, vs. Buffalo, vs. Boston College, vs. Vanderbilt, at Texas A&M, at UMass, vs. Auburn, at Alabama, vs. Oklahoma, at South Carolina, at Mississippi State, vs. Arkansas.
Missouri gets to avoid Georgia and Texas, potentially the two top contenders for the SEC title. With this easy of a schedule and no tests in non-conference play, Missouri should have a real shot at the College Football Playoff after winning the Cotton Bowl last season.
The 2024 Ole Miss schedule includes matchups against Furman, Middle Tennessee, Wake Forest, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, South Carolina, LSU, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi State. Lane Kiffin’s team boasts a stacked roster following successful transfers. Despite losing Quinshon Judkins to Ohio State, the Rebels feature an elite offense led by Jaxson Dart, a potential dark horse for the Heisman Trophy. With a strong start, Ole Miss could enter the Georgia game undefeated, virtually securing a spot in the 12-team playoff regardless of the result.
