Every team in the SEC has a season-defining stretch this season, a three-game set that should eliminate contenders from pretenders in college football’s toughest league.
Some come early, others late, all just as essential to a team’s overall success.
Here are the toughest stretches for each squad in the Western Division this season and how it could affect their journey to Atlanta.
RELATED: Ranking SEC’s toughest home schedules | Ranking SEC’s toughest road schedules | Toughest 3-game stretch for every SEC East team
Toughest 3-game stretches for SEC West teams
Alabama (Oct. 3-17)
- at Georgia
- vs. Arkansas
- at Texas A&M
Notes: It’s debatable since the Crimson Tide also battle Tennessee and LSU in consecutive games (with a open week in-between), but it appears Alabama’s October stretch featuring two road games against likely Top 25 teams and revenge-minded Arkansas could deal a decisive blow to division title hopes, especially if that SEC opener against Ole Miss on Sept. 19 is tougher than expected.
Arkansas (Sept. 26-Oct. 10)
- vs. Texas A&M
- at Alabama
- at Tennessee
Notes: Does Bret Bielema’s team have staying power in the Western Division? By the looks of it after three weeks this season, we’ll all be convinced the Razorbacks have a shot at something special with a sparkling record heading into their league opener against the Aggies. Win that game and Arkansas will likely be inside the Top 15 heading to Tuscaloosa. At worst, the Razorbacks must find a way to win 2 of these 3 to stay within striking distance of a divisional crown.
Auburn (Oct. 31-Nov.14)
- vs. Ole Miss
- at Texas A&M
- vs. Georgia
Notes: Prior to a possible season-defining showdown vs. Alabama in the Iron Bowl, the Tigers must navigate a trick patch of league contests involving highly-ranked teams. Like the Crimson Tide, Auburn takes on East favorite Georgia this fall and hosts Ole Miss, a squad expected to have one of the nation’s best defenses. The Tigers will be on upset alert in College Station, too.
LSU (Nov. 7-21)
- at Alabama
- vs. Arkansas
- at Ole Miss
Notes: Often the case with LSU’s schedule, coming out of a gigantic November slate determines whether or not the fanbase will back Les Miles this offseason. Last year’s final month was an epic struggle on offense as the Tigers dropped 2 of their final three SEC contests to finish a pedestrian 8-4 (by LSU standards). Then, the Tigers came up short in the Music City Bowl against Notre Dame. LSU has a chance to make serious noise this fall if it can come out of September unscathed.
Mississippi (Oct. 24-Nov. 7)
- vs. Texas A&M
- at Auburn
- vs. Arkansas
Notes: The Rebels have a fine test of grit and determination in their SEC opener at Alabama, but the meat of the conference schedule doesn’t start until Oct. 24 against Texas A&M, the first of five straight games (with a bye week, too) against league competition to end the season. Ole Miss would have serious momentum heading into Jordan-Hare Stadium surrounded by a possible College GameDay environment if it can take care of business against the Aggies.
Mississippi State (Nov. 5-21)
- at Mizzou
- vs. Alabama
- at Arkansas
Notes: We don’t need to pull out the stats to reveal just how difficult it is to win a Thursday night game on the road in college football. And it’s exactly what the Fighting Dak Prescotts must do at Mizzou on Nov. 5 to stay in the Western Division race down the stretch. A win over the Tigers would also help Georgia and Tennessee, two cross-divisional opponents the Bulldogs miss this season.
Texas A&M (Oct. 17-31)
- vs. Alabama
- at Ole Miss
- vs. South Carolina
Notes: Texas A&M’s already anticipating an explosive October, a month featuring revenge games against Mississippi State, Alabama and Ole Miss. Call it a hunch, but the Aggies’ home game against South Carolina will be more difficult than advertised. Texas A&M could be an 8- or 9-point favorite coming in, but Steve Spurrier’s offense always has a few wrinkles when playing on the road.
