The top coaches in the SEC are obvious, but does their career records against nationally-ranked competition coincide with their reputation?

The usual suspects are out front, a combined career winning percentage of .579 against Top 25 teams from the quartet of Nick Saban, Les Miles, Steve Spurrier and Mark Richt.

From there, the competition dwindles.

Before last season, Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen and Tennessee’s Butch Jones were dreadful in big games and despite Gary Pinkel’s mark as the all-time winningest coach at two programs, his early ineptitude at Mizzou has led to a career record of 18-40 against the Top 25.

Looking back at each season as a head coach, here’s how the SEC’s sideline leaders stack up over the length of their respective careers:

Head coach records vs. ranked teams all-time (opponents ranked at time of game)

  • Nick Saban (Alabama, LSU, Michigan State, Toledo): 56-36; .641
  • Les Miles (Oklahoma State, LSU): 41-24; .630
  • Steve Spurrier (Duke, Florida, South Carolina): 65-49-1; .565
  • Mark Richt (Georgia): 38-35; .520
  • Kevin Sumlin (Houston, Texas A&M): 11-10; .523
  • Gus Malzahn (Arkansas State, Auburn): 8-8; .500
  • Bret Bielema (Wisconsin, Arkansas): 12-26; .315
  • Hugh Freeze (Ole Miss): 5-11; .312
  • Gary Pinkel (Toledo, Mizzou): 18-40; .310
  • Will Muschamp (Florida, now Auburn asst.): 5-13; Jim McElwain (Colorado State): 0-2
  • Dan Mullen (Mississippi State): 4-25; .137
  • Butch Jones (Central Michigan, Cincinnati, Tennessee): 1-16; .058
  • Derek Mason (Vanderbilt): 0-4
  • Mark Stoops (Kentucky): 0-8