Surviving a full SEC season is a difficult task, despite how easy Nick Saban and the Alabama Crimson Tide make it seem.

Therefore, when it comes time to schedule non-conference opponents, several SEC teams will dip into the FCS ranks or lower FBS ranks to try to give some of their star players a bit of a break.

This year, Athlon Sports has six SEC games rated among the 10 “most shameful” college football games of the season. The full list can be seen here, but the “worst” SEC game belongs to the Crimson Tide, who host Mercer on Nov. 18:

  • T-10th: Charleston Southern at Mississippi State — Sept. 2
  • T-10th: UMass at Mississippi State — Nov. 4
  • 9th: Indiana State at Tennessee — Sept. 9
  • 7th: Florida A&M at Arkansas — Aug. 31
  • 3rd: Mercer at Auburn — Sept. 16
  • 2nd: Mercer at Alabama — Nov. 18

Again, when you play in the SEC West, having a de-facto “bye” week is never a bad idea, and the opposing schools are compensated handsomely, but these games are still no fun for fans to watch.

Fortunately, the conference schedule will provide plenty of big-time games to help fill the occasional gap.