Running through an eight-game SEC gauntlet against numerous Top 25 opponents is challenging enough, but there are several league teams with quality non-conference schedules they must conquer as well this season.

RELATED: The SEC’s toughest home schedules in 2015 | The SEC’s toughest road schedules in 2015

SEC’s toughest non-conference schedules in 2015

8. Arkansas

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: UTEP, Toledo, Texas Tech, UT Martin
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 0
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 26-24 (.520)

7. Auburn

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: Louisville, Jacksonville State, San Jose State, Idaho
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 23-25 (.479)

6. Florida

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: New Mexico State, East Carolina, Florida Atlantic, Florida State
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 26-25 (.509)

5. Tennessee

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: Bowling Green, Oklahoma, Western Carolina, North Texas
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 27-24 (.529)

4. Alabama

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: Wisconsin, Middle Tennessee, Louisiana-Monroe, Charleston Southern
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 29-21 (.580)

3. Kentucky

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: Louisiana-Lafayette, Eastern Kentucky, Charlotte, Louisville
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 32-18 (.640)

2. Texas A&M

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: Arizona State, Ball State, Nevada, Western Carolina
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 1
  • 2014 opponents’ winning percentage; combined record: 29-21 (.580)

1. South Carolina

  • 2015 non-conference schedule: North Carolina, UCF, The Citadel, Clemson
  • Number of possible ranked teams: 2
  • 2014 opponents’ combined record; winning percentage: 30-21 (.588)

Schedule notes: The Gamecocks battle three bowl teams during the non-conference slate, the most in the SEC this season. For a team teetering on postseason eligibility according to Vegas oddsmakers (over/under 7 wins), that’s a challenging stretch … Give credit to Texas A&M for beefing up its non-SEC slate during its fourth season in the conference. Kevin Sumlin hasn’t lost a non-conference game yet with the Aggies, but this year’s opener vs. Arizona State poses a considerable threat … Three of Kentucky’s four non-conference opponents won nine games last season, including nationally-ranked Louisville … Auburn is one of three SEC teams playing a nationally-ranked Power 5 opponent in a made-for-TV opener, but the rest of the non-conference schedule should be yawn-worthy for Gus Malzahn’s team … Tennessee’s early-season battle in Knoxville against Oklahoma is the SEC’s juiciest non-league home game of the season.