The 2019 schedule has been released, and SEC fans are already starting to look ahead at their school’s opponents for next year.
Many teams will have a crucial stretch that could decide the outcome of its season. Here are some of the toughest three-game stretches that SEC schools will face next year.
Arkansas: Oct. 19 vs. Auburn, Oct. 26 at Alabama, Nov. 2 vs. Mississippi State
The Razorbacks play three of the best teams in the SEC West in consecutive weeks, which includes a huge challenge when they travel to Alabama in the middle of this stretch.
LSU: Oct. 19 at Mississippi State, Oct. 26 vs. Auburn, Nov. 9 at Alabama
Much like Arkansas, the Tigers play these three tough SEC West rivals in succession. However, they get a bye week after the Auburn matchup to prepare for the road contest at Alabama. Unlike Arkansas, they also must travel to play Mississippi State.
Texas A&M: Nov. 16 vs. South Carolina, Nov. 23 at Georgia, Nov. 30 vs. LSU
The Aggies play two of the top SEC East teams in succession, including a challenging road matchup with the Bulldogs, before ending this stretch against LSU. Not only does Texas A&M have this stretch, but it also has this one: Sept. 21 vs. Auburn, Sept. 28 vs. Arkansas (Arlington), Oct. 12 vs. Alabama.
Florida: Oct. 12 at LSU, Oct. 19 at South Carolina, Nov. 2 vs. Georgia (Jacksonville)
The Gators will go more than a month without a game at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. They have tough road matchups with LSU and South Carolina, and after a bye week, they play their traditional neutral-site game against Georgia.
Tennessee: Oct. 5 vs. Georgia, Oct. 12 vs. Mississippi State, Oct. 19 at Alabama
This stretch could be crucial to how the Vols finish the season. They host a tough SEC East foe in Georgia, followed by another home matchup vs. Mississippi State. The stretch ends with an always challenging trip to Alabama.
Vanderbilt: Aug. 31 vs. Georgia, Sept. 7 at Purdue, Sept. 21 vs. LSU
The Commodores could either get off to a strong start, or fall into an early hole. A season opener against Georgia will certainly be tough. And after a road matchup at Purdue and a bye week, they host LSU.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
