How all 14 SEC teams have fared against ranked opponents
By Kevin Duffey
Published:
If you’re not a fan of South Carolina, Alabama or LSU, chances are you’re pretty embarrassed about your team’s performance against ranked opponents the last three years.
The only way to assess your team’s performance against ranked opponents is to check the end of the year rankings and assess the damage. The below chart reflects the final rankings of the last three years of the USA Today Coaches’ Polls and AP Polls.
While Alabama really dominated the BCS era, especially over the last several years under Nick Saban, South Carolina has dominated ranked opponents to the tune of 12-3 (.800). Only Carolina, Alabama and LSU are over .500 against ranked teams, and only USC and LSU are over .500 against top 10 opponents. Ironically, Steve Spurrier has as many SEC Championship rings to show for it as I do.
On the contrary, three SEC teams haven’t beaten ranked opponents the last three years: Vanderbilt, Kentucky and Mississippi State.
Interestingly, Alabama and Vanderbilt have played the fewest ranked opponents over the time period, while four teams – Auburn, Florida, Ole Miss and Tennessee – have played the most with 17.
Here’s a look – and, please Carolina fans, it’s okay to gloat:
| Rank | Team | Record | Win % | Top 10 |
| 1 | South Carolina | 12-3 | 0.800 | 5-2 |
| 2 | Alabama | 8-4 | 0.667 | 4-4 |
| 3 | LSU | 9-5 | 0.643 | 6-5 |
| 4 | Texas A&M | 5-10 | 0.333 | 1-6 |
| 5 | Georgia | 5-11 | 0.312 | 2-9 |
| 6 | Florida | 5-12 | 0.294 | 3-7 |
| 7 | Auburn | 4-13 | 0.235 | 3-8 |
| 8 | Missouri | 3-12 | 0.200 | 0-8 |
| 9 | Arkansas | 2-11 | 0.154 | 1-8 |
| 10 | Ole Miss | 2-15 | 0.118 | 0-9 |
| 11 | Tennessee | 2-15 | 0.118 | 1-12 |
| 12 | Vanderbilt | 0-12 | 0.000 | 0-8 |
| 13 | Kentucky | 0-13 | 0.000 | 0-8 |
| 14 | Mississippi State | 0-15 | 0.000 | 0-9 |
A graduate of the University of Florida and founder of Saturday Down South, Kevin is a college football enthusiast.
