By all accounts, the SEC college football schedule is loaded in 2024.
In ESPN’s latest Football Power Index rankings, 11 of the top 20 schools are in the SEC. In the Sporting News’ roundup composite of all the preseason polls so far, it’s nine of the Top 25.
The Georgia Bulldogs are the consensus No. 1, but it’s SEC newcomer, No. 3 Texas, that has a much smoother path to the College Football Playoff with the 12th easiest schedule from the conference, tied with the Tennessee Volunteers based on the Sporting News’ rankings of SEC schedules from hardest to cake walk, which combines ranked opponents and whether those games are home or on the road.
For Texas, it’s vs. No. 1 Georgia, at No. 8 Michigan, vs. No. 18 Oklahoma, at No. 25 Texas A&M for a total score of 52 points.
Tied with the Longhorns is No. 14 Tennessee with games at No. 1 Georgia, vs. No. 9 Alabama, at No. 18 Oklahoma, vs. No. 24 NC State for the same total score.
The easiest path for a preseason contender from the SEC for a CFP spot is the No. 8 Missouri Tigers, with a total score of only 26: at No. 9 Alabama, vs. No. 18 Oklahoma, at No. 25 Texas A&M.
Lane Kiffin’s preseason darling No. 5 Ole Miss Rebels have the second-easiest schedule behind Mizzou: vs. No. 1 Georgia, at No. 10 LSU, vs. No. 18 Oklahoma for a total score of 49. Brian Kelly’s No. 13 LSU Tigers have a slightly harder schedule with 51 total points: vs. No. 6 Ole Miss, vs. 9 Alabama, vs. No. 18 Oklahoma, vs. No. 21 USC, at No. 25 Texas A&M.
On the opposite end of the spectrum is the Florida Gators’ historically murderous schedule for the 2024 season with a total score of 117, over four times more difficult than Mizzou’s!
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Of course it’s still about performance on the field, but for these five teams, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a little help from the scheduling gods.
