Three of the top 10 most difficult schedules from the 2015 season came from SEC teams.

Alabama (No. 4), Auburn (No. 7), and Arkansas (No. 9) faced some of the strongest competition from Sept. through Jan., according to Phil Steele‘s “toughest schedule” rankings released the other day. Steele incorporates foe wins/losses, win percentage, NCAA rank percentage (Red), opponents faced with winning record, opponents in bowl games, et cetera.

Here’s the complete list for SEC teams and their rankings based off the formula:

  • Alabama (4)
  • Arkansas (7)
  • Auburn (9)
  • LSU (12)
  • Vanderbilt (21)
  • Mississippi State (22)
  • Florida (23)
  • Texas A&M (25)
  • Ole Miss (28)
  • South Carolina (33)
  • Tennessee (42)
  • Missouri (47)
  • Georgia (61)
  • Kentucky (64)

Alabama faced Steele’s No. 4-toughest schedule and still went on to win the national championship in 2015-16, facing (and beating) a Clemson opponent that played the No. 57 schedule. That’s impressive.