The season-defining money games.

Those are the nationally-ranked matchups SEC coaches are paid so handsomely to win, that only a select few have posted respectable records against over the last three seasons. We’ve decided to go back to 2012 to include the inaugural SEC seasons for Texas A&M and Missouri in our look-back at SEC coaches’ records vs. ranked teams.

Under Gary Pinkel, the Tigers have won back-to-back division championships after a disappointing first year.

Based on salary, Texas A&M’s paying Kevin Sumlin — $5 million annually — quite a bit to finish in the middle of the Western Division with a 7-9 record against ranked teams, but he isn’t the only elite coach who has struggled.

SEC coaches’ records vs. ranked team since 2012 (opponents ranked at time of game)

  • Nick Saban, Alabama: 13-5
  • Gus Malzahn, Auburn (since 2013): 8-6
  • Mark Richt, Georgia: 8-7
  • Steve Spurrier, South Carolina: 7-6
  • Les Miles, LSU: 7-7
  • Gary Pinkel, Mizzou: 8-9
  • Kevin Sumlin, Texas A&M: 7-9
  • Will Muschamp, Florida: 5-8
  • Hugh Freeze, Ole Miss: 5-10
  • Dan Mullen, Mississippi State: 3-12
  • Bret Bielema, Arkansas (since 2013): 2-12
  • Butch Jones, Tennessee (since 2013): 1-11
  • Derek Mason, Vanderbilt (since 2014): 0-4
  • Mark Stoops, Kentucky (since 2013): 0-8